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A Place Of Their Own

DIANA LIEBERMAN
Staff Writer

I

Detroit Women's Forum
celebrates 25 years.

n 1974, diversity was a radi-
cal new idea and women's
liberation was still a source of
jokes for the Tonight Show.
But a group of Detroit women
felt otherwise. Under the auspices
of the American Jewish
Committee, they united to form
a "thinking women's network."
Members came from various eth-
nic, religious and political
groups, linked by the belief that
the voices of women need to be
heard throughout society.
The Detroit Women's Forum
celebrated its 25th anniversary
this month with a dinner at the
newly renovated Gem Theatre
Century Club.
Founder Ruth Kroll, associate
director of the AJC Detroit chap-
ter in 1974, said the first meet-
ings of the Women's Forum
involved women concerned about
the effects of the economic
depression.
•
"Those who came just to lis-
ten found they had a lot in com-
mon and became enthusiastic
participants," she said.
Kroll, who now lives in
Southfield, said she prizes the
diversity of the group. "The
Detroit Women's Forum repre-
sents many areas of interest. It
works as an educational group,
for networking and as a group
of friends."
Wendy Watson of Ferndale
Top: Sherwood Sandweiss congratulates Detroit
said the group makes connec-
Women's Forumfounder Ruth Driker Kroll.
tions between women who
would not otherwise have met,
Above: As part of the anniversary celebration,
leading to friendships, jobs and
Carol Campbell seeks the memories of Forum
educational opportunities.
members. Here she interviews Wendy Watson.
"The most compelling argu-
ment for this group is the net-
working," agreed Judy Bobrow of
Forum got off the ground, called the
Southfield.
anniversary party "a celebration of the
25-year love story between Ruth and
Sherwood (Woody) Sandweiss,
the Women's Forum."
AJC's area director when the Women's
Sandweiss said the idea of working
Diana Lieberman can be reached at
women coming together for mutual
(248) 354-6060, ext. 247, or by e-mail,
benefit was a hard one to sell. "When
dlieberm@thejevvishnews.com
I told my boss in New York about it,

he said, 'Is Estee Lauder a mem-
ber? Than I'll believe it.' That just
shows how much things have
changed since then."
After 25 years, the group still
meets once a month to discuss
issues of relevance to women.
0
GA Membership has remained at
0
0 about 200 women and, though
0
racial, religious and ethnic diver-
sity is maintained, there's a decid-
edly liberal/intellectual slant.
Recent topics have included
educational reforms, homopho-
bia, the relationship between the
African-American and Jewish
communities, and issues facing
Muslim women. The group holds
an annual retreat, winter holiday
celebrations and a feminist
Passover seder.
Founding member Mildred
Grossman of Southfield remem-
bers a three-volume collection on
the history and future of Jewish
America published by the AJC
about 25 years ago.
"They had spent mega-bucks
on this, and only a few pages in
600 had anything to do with
women," Grossman said. They
told us it was because women
hadn't held any important jobs."
"Still, in this society, women
are frequently not taken serious-
ly," said Arlene Frank of Detroit,
the group's current president.
"This is a place where what we
say to each other is important."
Although many members now
live in the suburbs, the group
continues to hold its monthly
luncheon meetings at the First
Congregational Church in
Detroit.
There has been talk of adding
an occasional evening meeting in
the suburbs, Kroll said, for
women whose work makes it
impossible to get to Detroit during
the day, but there are no plans to
move the Detroit Women's Forum out
of Detroit.
"We were founded as a Detroit
organization," said Detroit resident
Harriet Saperstein, "and we want to
remain that way." fl

Remember
When •

From the pages of The Jewish News
for this week 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50
years ago.

Jewish Red Army veterans gathered
at Mount Herzl to inaugurate a
memorial for Jewish soldiers of the
Red Army who fell in duty during
World War II.
Alan Blau of Farmington Hills
was promoted to program manager
for Continental Cablevision.

•

The Israel karate team's invitation
to the upcoming World Games in
Japan was revoked.
Elizabeth Gordon of Farmington
Hills was selected to play the lead in
the U-M production of Sweet Charity.

g•z, :

%.*

Israel is expected to account for 25
percent of the total citrus produc-
tion of the Mediterranean area
shipped to European markets.
Jewish Vocational Service and
United Hebrew Schools have
entered into an experimental pro-
gram for the 1969-1970 school year,
in which a JVS counselor will pro-
vide two hours a week of counseling
services at the UHS high school.

•

The Jewish Community Center
library was dedicated as the Henry
Meyers Memorial Library, a tribute
to the late community leader who
served as the Center's president.
Aaron Gorbein and Bernard
Friedman, directors of Camp
Tanuga, announced plans for the
camp's seventh annual reunion to be
held at the Meyers and Curtis JCC.

ANOWNARMnirogtome
...makamelaasta
town,,Isitm.
David W. Bussey was selected to
head the steering committee for the
newly formed Men's Club of
Congregation Beth Abraham.
Detroit grocery stores now offer
Kosher Cleaner, a foaming action
cleaner produced by the
Manishewitz company.
Seymour Carpenter became the
president of the new Beth Aaron
Youth Group.

— Compiled by Sy Manello,
Editorial Assistant Tr

11/26
1999

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