Social Circuit

The Women's Board of Cooper University Hospital held its 84th and final ball on Dec. 8 at Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The benefit began in 1921 as a debutante ball for the daughters of local physicians and board members. The board, which has raised more than $10 million since its founding in 1919, funded the hospital's first CAT scan, donated $1 million for a DaVinci Robot for robotic surgery, and created a discretionary fund for patients. More than 300 guests enjoyed a casino night at the final ball, which raised more than $100,000. The good works of the Women's Board will live on through its endowment, valued at more than $1 million, to support research and improvement in women's health care.

Front lines

On the first anniversary of the Iraq Study Group's report to the nation, the group's cochairs, former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker 3d and former U.S. Rep. Lee H. Hamilton, were in town on Dec. 6 to receive the World Affairs Council's International Statesman Award. The event for 400 guests, held at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, began with a one-hour discussion of international issues led by Philadelphia Media Holdings chief executive officer Brian P. Tierney. The award was presented by Ed Satell, World Affairs Council director and head of Progressive Business Publications.

People of influence

City Councilwoman-elect Maria Quiñones-Sanchez and City Solicitor Romulo Diaz were among the top five of the 50 most influential Latinos honored at an event held Dec. 4 at the Sheraton Philadelphia Center City Hotel. More than 300 attended the second annual Most Influential Latinos awards ceremony, organized by Impacto Latin Newspaper, the Multicultural Affairs Congress (MAC), and the Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations (Concilio). Among those also honored were the Rev. Luis Cortes Jr. of Esperanza USA, Alba Martinez of the United Way, Ken Trujillo, and Daily News reporter Regina Medina.

Urban power

The Urban League of Philadelphia held its fifth annual Whitney M. Young Jr. Community Empowerment Awards Luncheon Dec. 7 at Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The honorees were Daniel J. Hilferty of Keystone Mercy Health Plan; Radio-One and E. Steven Collins; Tina Tinneny of Enterprise Rent-A-Car; Priti Dheer of Cigna; Dwayne Wharton of Project HOME, and Romona Riscoe Benson of the African American Museum in Philadelphia. Earlier in the day the organization presented its 12th State of Black Philadelphia Report, the first since 1997. Based on an analysis of economic, health, education, civic engagement, and social justice data, the report concluded that black residents of Philadelphia are "only 72 percent as well off as whites."

Home style

The Phillies front office - executives David Montgomery, Bill Giles, and Pat Gillick - served their eighth annual home-cooked holiday dinner on Monday at Our Brothers' Place, a homeless shelter at 907 Hamilton St. They got an assist from former Phillies players Garry Maddox, Dickie Noles and coach Milt Thompson as well as the Phanatic. The dinner, prepared entirely by 50 Phillies staffers for 250 men, included 21 turkeys and all the trimmings. The Phillies also donated $10,000 to the Bethesda Project, which runs the shelter.

"Social Circuit" will return on Jan. 30, after the Academy Ball.EndText

To see a slide show of "Social Circuit" photos go to http://go.philly.com/socialcircuitEndText