May 1 was no ordinary night at Make It Better’s Tech Mamma Lounge in Winnetka.
Forty sustainable sisters from across the North Shore socialized, “burgerfied” and discovered Make It Better’s green roots.
Let me back up a bit. After a successful North Shore women’s environmental event in November 2012, I came together with a group of women from Evanston to Highland Park to create North Shore Green Women (NSGW). As a result, we’ve organized several local gatherings each year to connect a mix of female professionals, entrepreneurs, activists and volunteers working to make the world a greener place. Mostly, they are fun nights out chatting with like-minded women over a glass of wine and bite to eat. As an added attraction, we meet at nearby women-powered green businesses and organizations to showcase their efforts. Past hosts include Artisanal, a locally sourced, organic and specialty foods grocery in Wilmette; Sweet Dreams, an organic bakery and cafe in Glenview; and Mighty Nest, an online store of safe, non-toxic products in Evanston.
On June 25, we will meet again at Found Kitchen & Social House in Evanston. The events are cross-promoted with our companion group, Chicago Women in Green. Combined membership exceeds over 1,000 eco-fabulous ladies in Chicagoland.
Our May host, Susan Noyes, Founder and Publisher of Make It Better, briefly shared some thoughts on women’s important role in bettering our communities. She started off by giving NSGW co-founder Beth Drucker a huge hug of gratitude. That same night marked the seven-year anniversary of Make It Better’s launch at a Go Green Wilmette event, an organization that Drucker leads.
An introduction to “burgerfication” was another highlight of the evening. The popular new BurgerFi chain recently opened their first Illinois restaurant at 1735 Milwaukee Ave. in Glenview. They generously provided all-natural, antibiotic- and hormone-free Angus burgers and vegetarian quinoa burgers, which we happily gobbled up. Beyond healthier, tasty food, manager Kyle Bauman noted the restaurant’s eco-design, which includes chairs made from recycled Coke bottles, tables made out of compressed recycled wood, and large fans that use 66 percent less electricity.
In addition to green members and spaces, we also attempt to make NSGW events “zero waste” through choosing reusables, recycling and composting. Guests encounter an orange bucket from Collective Resource to discard food waste and compostable servingware, as composting services are provided by NSGW co-organizer Mary Beth Schaye.
NSGW gatherings offer women a friendly opportunity to expand their green networks, learn more about local initiatives, and nurture collaboration in the environmental community. Northbrook resident Jennifer Amdur Spitz, co-producer of the film ”Food Patriots,” sums up why she attends, “I’m inspired meeting a range of smart, passionate, engaged women leaning in to improve our environment.”
If you would like to learn more about events, or become a future host, connect with NSGW’s Facebook page.
Upcoming Events:
- Join North Shore Green Women at Found in Evanston on Wednesday, June 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m., space is limited, register here.
