A Discussion with Marilyn DeLong, President of University of Minnesota Women’s Club

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided 

The University of Minnesota Women’s Club is an impressive 114 years old. It was first organized as a club for faculty wives but has evolved over the past century to include all interested women in the community. We spoke to President Marilyn DeLong about the history of the Club, how they support the University, and the wide range of annual activities (17 special interest groups!) for their membership of engaged, intelligent women. Take a look – you will probably like what you see. 

Marilyn DelongQ:  Please tell us the history of the University of Minnesota Women’s Club (UMWC).

A:  The University of Minnesota Women’s Club (UMWC) started in 1911 as an organization for faculty wives. Since then, we’ve opened the club to any woman interested in joining our group of vibrant women. While many UMWC members are connected to the University in some way, it is not a requirement. Today club membership is steady at 300, with a new member influx of about 10 percent annually. 

A large part of our mission is dedicated to helping University of Minnesota students achieve their academic goals through a strong scholarship program that has contributed more than $1 million in funding over the lifetime of our club.

Q:  How do you balance honoring the Club’s rich history with staying current and relevant?

A:  Every year we host three Conversation with a Woman Leader luncheons and an annual meeting that feature women leaders in the community who are tackling relevant issues. Most recently we heard from U of M President Rebecca Cunningham on the challenges and opportunities she is facing. Our speakers are selected by a team that organizes the conversations based on input from our members. We also stay connected with our scholarship recipients through an annual scholarship luncheon and periodic articles in our newsletter, which keeps us up to date on their issues. 

Our 17 special interest groups also keep us current and active in pursuing new friends and skills. For example, I helped found a writer’s circle, and the members are all enjoying the experience of writing memoirs, poetry and historical fiction. At our meetings we share our writing drafts and receive suggestions for improvement as well as the support of the group. 

In addition, UMWC is organized to stay relevant as we review and upgrade bylaws based upon suggestions from members and a vote by our board of directors. 

Q:  You are Professor Emerita at the U’s College of Design. What have you learned from your professional background that informs how you approach your role at the club? 

A:  I served as an administrator and associate dean in the College of Design for 15 of the 45 years I was on the faculty.  I also advised many undergraduate and graduate students as they completed their degrees.  Through this experience, I learned to listen to the needs of the students and faculty I served and find solutions for these needs. This gave me experience working with a diverse group of individuals, all with somewhat individual needs. 

Q:  What does UMWC offer that would entice new members? 

A:  For starters, we have a lot of fun - and we learn a lot! Our special interest groups run the gamut. In addition to the writer’s circle I mentioned, we have four unique book clubs, a poetry group, Mah Jongg games twice a month, hiking twice a month, trips to nature centers, the U of M campus and local restaurants, and a talented group of artists who create wonderful works we are able to enjoy at our annual art show. As a result, we have many interesting conversations and go to new places with engaged, intelligent women who have rich life experiences. 

Art table at Welcome brunch 2024

Out to Tea September 2024

Susan Liu at art show 2025

Hikers at Elm Creek Park Reserve

Q:  What is your vision for the club over the next year or two? Are there any big changes or initiatives you’re especially excited about? 

A:  We are an ever-evolving group. My vision for the Club is to expand our opportunities to serve AND socialize - both are important to our members. I will listen to our members and try to find ways to fulfill their expressed needs. For example, at our Big Ten Conference this June, I was reminded that we need to focus on longtime members, as well as our new members. In our discussions, a plan was hatched for pairing longtime members as mentors for our newcomers. I would like to try this type of pairing in the coming year. I would also like to expand our service projects to include needs within the community that our members would enjoy volunteering their services. 

Q:  The mentor project sounds like a good plan. How else do you plan to foster connection and engagement among longtime members and newcomers? 

A:  We make a special effort to welcome new members with our New Member Coffees, where they mingle with other new members and club leadership. We identify new members with a special name tag so other members can welcome them at events. We encourage existing members to make an effort to invite new members to our special interest groups and luncheons. In addition to welcoming them, we are especially interested in how new members can contribute to the club’s success according to their interests and expertise. 

Q:  How can the club better serve or uplift underrepresented voices - within its own walls and in the city?

A:  The best way we uplift underrepresented voices is through our scholarship effort, which helps students who come from a wide variety of backgrounds and ethnicities. Our luncheon speakers also introduce members to those kinds of uplifting efforts, including in the past year alone building schools in Tanzania, playing with engineering to create new ways of learning and fighting for women’s equality through the ERA. 

And, of course, our members include women from all walks of life - our diversity lies in our members who have been involved in all sorts of careers and professions. Sometimes a member will choose to serve by continuing what she did prior to joining; other times, a member wants a break from the past to try something new. Either path is welcome. 

Q:  How may we follow UMWC news? 

A:  The best way to follow UMWC is through our website, which includes information about our scholarship effort, our interest groups and our upcoming events. It also includes our newsletter, which is published online five times a year.