DULUTH WOMEN OF TODAY promotes community volunteerism

By Abigail Blonigen

TheDuluth Women of Today is a local chapter of a national organization borne out of the United States Junior Chamber, more commonly known as the Jaycees.

According to the Minnesota Women of Today website, some Jaycee wives gathered to create the Mrs. Jaycees of Minnesota in 1950. By 1957, Minnesota had the largest Mrs. Jaycees presence in the United States with 90 chapters.

In 1984, the Supreme Court ruled that women were allowed membership within the Jaycees. The following year, the United States Jaycee Women organization was dissolved, and those who were interested reorganized as the Women of Today.

The Duluth chapter of the Women of Today was started in

“I was very quiet,” Sanders said of herself before joining the Women of Today. “I could not talk in front of people who I didn’t know. The chapter really embraced me, encouraged me to do things and stood behind my ideas to the point that within

Continued on page 30 three years I was on the district level, and then I went to the state level.”

Sanders missed the encouragement and community of the group, which is what inspired her to open a Duluth chapter.

The chapter focuses on leadership training, building friendships and volunteering in the community. Their bigger initiatives include sponsoring the Memorial Day parade and Veterans Day march and working a booth at the Duluth Air Show.

The group also participates in smaller, more personal volunteerism, such as making holiday cards for nursing homes and helping low income children get Christmas gifts for their families.

Members can choose to lead these initiatives, which is where the personal and professional development comes in.

“We start people off by working on projects and then encouraging them to take on a chair with somebody else,” Sanders said. “We see what they're really good at and build on that.”

There are opportunities to be involved with the Women of Today on the local, state and national levels, so there is always room for advancement. Sanders has served at every level; she was state president in 2011 and 2012 and national president in 2019 and 2020. She now serves as treasurer and mentor at the local level.

The friendships and sense of community provided by the

Women of Today cannot be understated, and is a vital part of the organization’s mission.

“It's something that grows with you,” Sanders said. “This is where your friends are.”

Those interested in opportunities with the Duluth Women of Today can reach out via its Facebook page or website, sites. google.com/view/duluthwomenoftoday-mnwt. Membership is open to women age 18 and older, and dues are $50 per year.

Members can choose their level of involvement, whether they want to seek a leadership position or help out with one event a year.

Meetings are the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at West Duluth American Legion Post 71, 5814 Grand Ave.

Potential members are encouraged to reach out to the Duluth Women to meet and try it out before making the commitment.

“Everybody is welcome,” Sanders said. “It doesn't matter your age. It doesn't matter how quiet you are. Everybody is welcome to come.” D

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AT THE GARDEN IN DULUTH, MN

The Night

Join us for the return of the region’s premier party with purpose: The Miller-Dwan Foundation’s annual gala fundraiser, ARTcetera. On this night, we will safely gather in person for a one-of-a-kind, intimate and exclusive evening where compassionate people come out to play while making a profound difference in the region’s health. Together, we’ll empower life-changing opportunities by raising funds to support the mental health needs of people of all ages.

THE CAUSE bringing mental wellness into the open

It’s time to think BIG. It’s time to rival COVID by taking care of the kids, families, and adults in our community. And it’s time to have some FUN! Over the last two years, the pandemic compounded the need for mental health care for all ages to crisis levels. Yes, CRISIS levels. You know it. I know it. We all know it.

Now, with your support, we’re going to do something about it.

With a staunch recommitment to the mental health of our region, the Miller-Dwan Foundation looks to you for your support. Together we can determine where we can curb the crisis.

You + the Miller-Dwan Foundation = Groundbreaking Impact.

By joining us for a fun and exclusive evening, you’ll be on the cutting edge of new and remarkable ways to bring more hope and healing into the open.

You + the Miller-Dwan Foundation + FUN = Saving Lives!

This year’s ARTcetera auction intentionally includes a limited number of carefully curated auction items. You’ll see some familiar silent auction sights as well as some new and exciting items.