Set Apart 40th Anniversary How It Began
Because of her love for and experience with successful women’s retreats, Marion Bildsoe (a Northwestern employee) met with Pauline Wilson, chairperson of the Northwestern Women’s Auxiliary, to suggest they hold a one-day retreat for women who worked at Northwestern. The first event was so popular that they decided to make it a conference for women the following year (1982) and opened it to interested women in the listening audience of KTIS radio.
The Conference Name
The original name of the conference, A Day Set Apart for Women was based upon Mark 6:31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. (RSV) Then and now, the conference is intended to be a time for women to come away and be with God.
The Committee
The first “committee” of “A Day Set Apart for Women” was created with members of the Women’s Auxiliary. Pauline Wilson, provided leadership for the conference until 1997, when she “passed the mantle” of leadership to Monica Groves. Monica then led the committee for 25 years! So many women have contributed their talents, time, and commitment to the conference over the course of 40 years, making Set Apart the longest running women’s faith conference in the Upper Midwest – by God’s grace!
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