OCTOBER 10 • 2024 | 27

“I met a wonderful woman, 

Delphine Palkowski, early on. She 
represented the Catholic Archdiocese 
probably during the first or second 
year of our existence. She still is an 
activist, and we have been friends 
for almost 50 years.
” A more recent 
friend for Straus is Marjorie Lynn, a 
retired professor from University of 
Michigan-Dearborn.
Detroit Women’s Forum has been 
a “wonderful experience,
” Straus said. 
“It’s hard to believe we have had 50 
years of monthly luncheon meetings 

with terrific women speakers.
”
Straus said, “We created a core 
of early activists, who taught that 
women’s issues count and affect all of 
us — men and women and children 
as well.
” 
As DWF’s leader, Gustafson seeks 
additional activists to keep the group’s 
traditions strong. She said, “I am 
humbled, honored and happy to 
help carry on the Forum’s important 
role as a grassroots organization 
connecting women and amplifying 
voices.
” 

The 2024-2025 
DWF Schedule
Detroit Women’s Forum will 
present the following women 
speaking on a lively mixture of 
topics:
OCTOBER: “The Status of 
Abortion Rights.” Speaker: Renee 
Chelian, founder, executive 
director, Northland Family 
Planning Clinics
NOVEMBER: “Election Results 
Review.” Speaker: Nancy Kaffer, 
editorial page editor, Detroit Free 
Press
DECEMBER: “Detroit Matters 
All Over the Nation.” Speaker: 
Jeanette Pierce, president, City 
Institute

JANUARY: “Solar Neighborhood 
Initiative.” Speaker: Tepfirah 
Rushdan, director, City of Detroit 
Office of Sustainability
FEBRUARY: “The State of Public 
Education.” Speaker: Ellen Cogen 
Lipton, member, State Board of 
Education
MARCH: “Period Poverty.” 
Speakers: Olive and Monica 
Papasian, community activists
APRIL: “Artificial Intelligence & 
Ethics.” Speaker: Jing Liu, Ph.D., 
executive director, Michigan 
Institute for Data and AI, 
University of Michigan 
MAY: “The State of Nonprofit 
Journalism.” Speaker: Katy 
Locker, CEO, Center for Michigan, 
Bridge Michigan/Bridge Detroit

continued from page 25

Jennifer Gustafson and 
Harriet Saperstein

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Southfield, MI 48034
1-248-945-1111

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