History of the University Women's Club, PART II
Years have passed by since that poem was written,
And somebody felt that it would be fittin'
To update our history and put it in rhyme,
To set it all down and to go back in time.
With that thought in mind, it was clear what to do.
So here it is: "Club History, Part II."
One morning Maggie, Biruta and I
Met in the Archives, determined to try
To dig up some facts regarding our club
The last 61 years. Ah, there's the rub.
We took lots of notes as we pored over files.
There was so much to read-just piles and piles.
Then Sangita dropped off a box full of stuff.
And right then and there, there was more than enough.
For that box made me sneeze, my eyes became blurry.
It seems in the past a thing small, white and furry
Amongst all our records had taken some naps.
And wouldn't you know, I'm allergic to cats!
Years' worth of minutes were scanned in an instant,
Then set aside in a spot that was distant.
For now it was time to sort and arrange
All that we'd found, the ho-hum and the strange,
Over decades of meetings, teas and good deeds,
Of friendship, support and fulfilling needs.
We'll pick up the thread in 1941,
And see where it leads and just how far we've come.
The clubwomen were busy in the war years,
Working bond drives and as Red Cross volunteers.
They made surgical dressings, knitted and sewed.
Wherever they could, they carried the load.
It was time for some fun in 1949
So a show was put on of the new fashion line.
Sixty gals modeled shoes, boots and fine clothes
From twelve local businesses. Heaven knows,
How nice it would be, we could use them today
And not have to travel way down to Green Bay!
When the veterans came home and returned to school,
There was one other thing the girls had to do.
All the young wives, who required organizing,
Were soon brought together (it's not surprising)
By the Faculty Wives, who proceeded to dub
The newly formed group, the Veterans Wives Club.
The '50s brought forth a Little Theater Group.
If you were dramatic, you belonged to this troupe.
They loved staging plays. In their hearts burned such fires.
They put on productions like "Suppressed Desires."
All talent was fostered. It would have been dull
Living in a place that's a cultural lull.
We had a great party in 1954.
After 25 years, we looked forward to more.
There was much reminiscing and talk of the past.
Of one thing we were certain, this girls' club would last.
The occasion included many smiles, hugs and pats
And we did it while wearing white gloves and big hats!
Now on to the '60s. Oh, those were the days,
So many changes that would surely amaze
The original women from 1929
Who had nary a clue, not one little sign,
That some women would one day compete with the guys
And no longer stay home baking cookies and pies.
All over the campus more females appeared,
Skirted teachers and co-eds, no longer weird.
Still many were happy as faculty wives.
There is room in this world for all kinds of lives!
So we kept having meetings and programs unique.
Fashion shows featured both foreign and antique.
In the '70s we had a swim club for the kiddies.
And yet another stage play was put on by us biddies.
Do you recall that performance so splendid
Wherein our talents and humor were blended?
It had a cute title: "Ladies of the Mop."
And by every report, that play did not flop.
By our 50th year, MTU was well known.
From twenty-three students and three profs it had grown
To 416 professors all told,
With 7,690 enrolled.
And the Faculty Women continued to rule
As the social and cultural force of the School.
But the times, they kept changing. So along in the '80s
We decided that it would be good for the ladies
To expand membership so it would include
All female employees and spouses who would
Like to join with us, so we altered our name.
University Women we then became.
Around the same time someone had the idea
A Valentine's Dinner-Dance really might be a
Fun thing to do. It turns out they were right.
For several years that was one special night.
And someone suggested a new way to raise funds.
To endow our scholarship, we needed big sums.
What better way to have fun and make money
Than to cook up some chili (thick, never runny)
With a top-secret recipe still guarded closely
In the President's file where it's kept locked up, mostly.
Just before hockey at the church called St. Al's
That chili was dished up to neighbors and pals.
On through the 90's the event ran its course,
When the membership then was asked to endorse
A doubling of dues--$20 should do it.
This has worked very well, and somebody knew it.
So our scholarship's safe and might soon become two.
It's astonishing what a few women can do.
Did I mention our sub-groups that keep many happy--
Intellectual, social, athletic and crafty?
How 'bout tennis and bowling and cycling and skiing?
And if gardening and bridge are your reason for being,
We've had those too, plus quilting and stitching.
And checking out dreams some found bewitching.
Down through the years, lots of things have been tried,
To keep the Club vital, not cut and dried.
Through the programs, committees and meetings galore,
Those elected to office completed each chore.
They've kept our group lively, made sure we had fun.
We owe them our thanks for the jobs they have done.
The 21st century will add to our history.
Though what lies ahead is still veiled deep in mystery.
Might we figure out where the tea service is?
What fate awaits each of us, Mrs. or Ms.?
There is one thing to rely on, and it's something worth knowing:
Like the Energizer Bunny, we'll keep going and going.
Michel Lantz
December 12, 2002