Daisie Foundation Leading Ladies panelists and employees smile at the Daisie Foundation/CHA Mother’s Day Makeover Experience at Venue West, May 6, 2025 (Photo courtesy of the Chicago Housing Authority).
For one unforgettable afternoon, 200 mothers from the Chicago Housing Authority were honored with more than makeovers—they were celebrated for their resilience, uplifted through powerful stories, and reminded of their worth.
In its fifth year, the Chicago Housing Authority teamed up again with the Daisie Foundation for the annual Mother’s Day Makeover Experience, held at Venue West. The event gave CHA moms a rare opportunity to step away from their daily responsibilities and indulge in a day of self-care, beauty, and inspiration.
“It was another incredible day of pampering for CHA mothers and, as always, we are excited to partner with the Daisie Foundation,” said Kristen Hamer, CHA’s Director of Corporate and External Partnerships. “We hope this experience provided a boost of confidence and self-esteem for CHA moms, who rarely, if ever, have a day of self-care such as this.”
The event delivered on its promise. Moms received professional hair, makeup, and styling services, then walked away with high-quality portraits capturing the glow of a day spent being cared for.
“We are so honored to celebrate, to pamper, to love 200 moms,” said Julie Hightower, Executive Board President of the Daisie Foundation. “And we are so grateful for this partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority. Moms make so many sacrifices. So this is just a way to say thank you and we wouldn’t be who we are without you.”
That message resonated with attendees like Nikita Phillips, who initially hesitated to attend but ended up leaving transformed.
“I’m having a great time,” she said. “I feel like a million bucks. If you look good, you feel good. (CHA), keep doing events like this. I just ran into a few ladies with backgrounds in accounting and tech, so you have a lot of business-worthy females here. There are a lot of amazing people.”
An attendee of the Daisie Foundation/CHA Mother’s Day Makeover Experience examines a dress in the wardrobe section at Venue West, May 6, 2025 (Photo courtesy of the Chicago Housing Authority).
Maria Talavera echoed the sentiment.
“You (come and get) makeup and your life is changed,” she said. “I’m so happy for next year that I’m coming back.”
An attendee of the Daisie Foundation/CHA Mother’s Day Makeover Experience smiles after her makeover at Venue West, May 6, 2025 (Photo courtesy of the Chicago Housing Authority).
Along with beauty services, moms were also treated to a Leading Ladies Panel Series, featuring a slate of women professionals who delivered heartfelt talks on strength, identity, and community. The panelists included:
- Tameca Reed, Senior Vice President & Head of Client Portfolio Management, Old National Bank
- Dr. Elana Comrov, Medical Director, Molina Healthcare
- Rani Morrison William, Chief Diversity and Community Health Equity Officer, UI Health
- Edith Ruiz, External Affairs Manager, ComEd
- Angela Reed, District Manager, Banana Republic Factory Stores
The discussion was moderated by Evrod Cassimy, NBC 5 Chicago news anchor.
Behind the scenes, a host of sponsors helped bring the vision to life: Benefit Cosmetics, ComEd, Eloquii, Banana Republic, Generation Bliss, Kraft, Mane Space, Meijer, Molina Healthcare, UI Health, Old National Bank, Penske, Pink Pewter, Pin Me Up, Shiraleah, T-Mobile, and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois.
For the moms who attended, the day was about more than beauty—it was about being seen. And for those behind the event, the message was clear: every mother deserves to feel valued.
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