Description Chicago Bulls beanie cap belonging to Vanessa Lynn Przybylo Kolpak. The cap is red, black, and white with "BULLS" knit into the pattern.
Historical Notes Raised in Chicago, Illinois, Vanessa Kolpak lived in New York City. After studying economics, philosophy, and theater at Georgetown University, she graduated magna cum laude in 2001. Vanessa started as a financial researcher at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods three weeks before September 11. That morning, she was at work on the 89th floor of the South Tower. Vanessa was 21 years old.
Curator's Comment In the 1990s, a teenage Vanessa Kolpak and her friends wore Chicago Bulls caps while watching Michael Jordan play for their home basketball team. Vanessa admired his athletic ability and his philanthropy. Learning that Jordan was donating proceeds from a promotional campaign to charity, she told her mother, “That’s why I like Mike.” Even in childhood, Vanessa thought about charity. Realizing that not all families could afford violin lessons like the ones she loved, Vanessa resolved that when she grew up, she would earn enough money to provide other kids with music lessons. HIDE