Press release issued January 11, 2008

The members of the half-century old Ann Arbor Women's City Club have voted this week to rename the organization the "Ann Arbor City Club." By an overwhelming majority, members aged thirty to ninety agreed that the time is right to create a new identity for the Club that will hopefully welcome more members from throughout the community.

"My mother helped plan this Club in her living room in 1950," says member Judy Dow Rumelhart. "We had a lot of stay-at-home mothers then, and they needed a place to gather. But times have changed, and we need to change with the times."

The Club has long accepted men as members, and anyone is welcome to join, but members felt that the name, "Women's City Club," no longer fit with the modern, open, inclusive organization the Club has become.

"We have been changing with the times inside our doors," says president Cindy DeGalan, "and we want to do a better job of letting the community know that our doors are open to everyone."

The Ann Arbor City Club, located at 1830 Washtenaw Avenue, will soon break ground on a major construction project that will include a new elevator, a remodeled meeting room to host larger events, and, yes, more restrooms for men. "This is an exciting time at the City Club," says member Millie Empedocles, chair of the construction committee. "We are updating our image for the twenty-first century."

The Club's general manager, Mark Easton, says "Our historic building has always been a beautiful place for wedding ceremonies, receptions, and other large gatherings. The remodeling and redecorating we're doing--along with the new name--will make it even more attractive to the general public."

As a social, educational, and charitable organization, the Club offers classes, lectures, performances, dinners, and other activities. DeGalan says, "The name change is not just about including men. It is a way of saying that organizations like ours are important to all members of our community. The women here are leading the way for everyone to feel included."

About the Ann Arbor City Club

Established in 1951, the Ann Arbor City Club, at 1830 Washtenaw Avenue, is a membership organization that meets social, educational, cultural, and charitable needs in the community. Built in the late 1800s as a spacious and elegant home, the Club's facility is now maintained as a community resource featuring stunning gardens, ever-changing art displays, a library, and a variety of gathering areas. Classes are offered on such topics as health and fitness, finance, art, politics, and digital technology. Fashion shows, bridge games, book discussions, business networking, and theme dinners are also offered. Public events include monthly lunchtime lectures, an annual flea market, and a fall arts festival. The Club is a meeting space for multiple community groups and welcomes businesses and nonprofits to hold meetings there. It has a full commercial kitchen and bar and hosts many community and family events. The Club is close to the University of Michigan campus and downtown Ann Arbor and has its own parking lot.

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