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unable to advance in male-dominated 
organizations. 
“My feminism led me to want to 
involve myself in projects for helping 
women,
” said the late Kroll, speaking at 
DWF’s 40th anniversary celebration. 
Kroll and her friends recruited 
women for the new group from their 
contacts in government, business, 
unions, education, nonprofits, various 
professions and activist groups. The 
Forum started with 65 members in 
1974; 300 was the high point 10 years 
later. Gustafson said DWF includes 78 
members today, primarily from Wayne 
and Oakland counties.
A reason for the Forum catching on 
were the legions of younger women 
(baby boomers) working in Downtown 
Detroit. They wanted to meet each 
other — “especially those concerned 
with social justice and equality in 
many different ways,
” according to 
Saperstein. 
But, she said, women raising families 
in the suburbs were also interested in 
getting away, “at least every so often,
” 
to have a long lunch and hear women 
presenters discuss diverse social justice 
and equality issues. 
Members first gathered in the Butzel 
Building’s space in the basement. The 
room had a kitchen and could be set 
up for large luncheon meetings. 
Kroll said previously: “We remained 
under the umbrella of AJC for 20 years, 
before splitting off and becoming 
completely independent.
” 
After Federation moved in 1991 
to its current location in Oakland 
County, Detroit Women’s Forum first 
relocated to the International Institute 
on Kirby at John R, and later to First 
Congregational Church on Woodward 
Avenue at Forest. 
“We were founded as a Detroit 
organization, and we wanted to remain 
that way,
” Saperstein said.

DWF OFFERINGS
Since September 2003, DWF holds 
monthly luncheon programs in 
The Whitney, a historic and elegant 
mansion on Woodward at Canfield. 
Members no longer able or willing to 
drive to the restaurant may livestream 
the presentations without charge. The 

option has remained popular 
since the lunches resumed after 
the height of the COVID-19 
pandemic. Gustafson, a teacher in 
Wayne State University’s School of 
Information Sciences, helped facilitate 
the Zoom aspect for the Forum, “so 
we were able to continue and not miss 
a beat.
” 
Prior to that home-
bound period, DWF had 
been offering an annual 
Feminist Seder since 1975. 
The late Wendy Watson 
created a Detroit variation 
of the Women’s Haggadah, 
which tells the story of the 
Exodus from a woman’s perspective. 
Frank, former director of the Oakland 
Community College Womencenter, 
was the Feminist Seder’s longtime 
leader before 2020.
Programs also have encompassed 
celebrations of Kwanzaa and Chinese 
New Year. An Islamic scholar once 
explained the role of women in the 
Koran. 
DWF presents “compelling, in-depth 
programs on a variety of topics of 
concern to women and the world 

around us,
” Frank said. 
Gustafson touched on another 
positive aspect. “Providing opportu-
nities to learn from the source is vital 
in today’s world, especially with the 
internet, social media and AI making 
it sometimes hard to tell the truth from 
fiction.
”
With a focus on significant political, 
economic and social issues of the day 
that have an impact on women, Frank 
said the presentations have “expanded 
our knowledge, touched our hearts, 
made us angry, encouraged us to take 
action, made us cry, made us laugh, 
had us singing and always informed 
us.
”
Early member Irene Miller, a mem-
oirist and Holocaust survivor, recalled 
a heartwarming, instructive experience 
during one of the group’s weekend 

retreats, when participants sit-
ting on the floor “shared what 
our mothers taught us and we 
teach our daughters.
”
Networking continues to be an 
important part of the Forum’s agenda. 
“We wanted to bring women togeth-
er to meet each other, to learn from 
each other and encourage one another,
” 
said Straus, also a past president of the 
Jewish Community Council. 
An essential part of each gathering is 
when members announce projects and 
activities arranged through their other 
affiliations. Women can take notes on 
the events and programs they’
d like to 
support.
“The Detroit Women’s Forum 
doesn’t subscribe to any particular 
point of view, but each individual sep-
arately is involved in her own social, 
political or educational agenda,
” said 
Miller, who is retired from the health-
care industry. 
Experienced women sharing 
their knowledge has the potential to 
“strengthen other women’s ability to 
succeed,
” Saperstein said.
Straus spoke of two dear, non-Jewish 
friends she met through DWF. 

Jennifer 
Gustafson

Julie Beutel 
entertained 
at the Detroit 
Women’s Forum 
50th anniversary 
luncheon at 
Sindbad’s 
Restaurant and 
Marina in Detroit.

Harriet Saperstein on 
the left, Irene Miller 
seated (both founding 
members), Arlene Frank 
at the mic as the emcee 
for the celebration held 
at Sindbad’s in Detroit.

More About 
‘Network for 
Thinking Women’

Annual dues are $50 to join Detroit 
Women’s Forum. Members pay $35, $45 
for guests, to attend each month’s 
multi-course luncheon-program. There is 
no charge for members to listen to the 
speakers only on Zoom. Additionally, 
valet parking is $10, with metered street 
parking available. For additional 
information, email 
detroitwomensforum 
@gmail.com.

