Coffee klatches have, in part, moved from tidy homes to trendy cafés. Coffee-fueled bridge clubs now share calendar space with wine-sipping book clubs. Even as social media sites have carved out their space in bringing women together under one tent, Edina residents continue to support women’s social and service organizations, which have stood the test of time and the Internet.
“It’s one thing to read about it or comment on it,” Rosie Gubrud says of the importance of person-to-person organizations. “You get to know people in the trenches.” As a member of the Edina Federated Women’s Club (EFWC) since 1972, Gubrud has watched EFWC evolve its programming and scheduling. Early on, a majority of the members were stay-at-home mothers and used to gather on meeting days from 12 to 3 p.m., arriving home before their children returned from school. Today, the group offers day and evening meeting times to accommodate personal preferences and work schedules.
Founded in 1969 by 17 women, EFWC now boasts about 100 members, who live or work in Edina, Hopkins, Golden Valley, Eden Prairie and Bloomington. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month (September-May) at St. Alban’s Church.
Club activities include bridge, book club, the Out to Lunch Bunch, and gourmet and potluck dinners. While social activities are part of the club, service/volunteering and philanthropy remain a large focus. Their motto is “Founded on friendship, strengthened by service.” Since 1969, EFWC has raised nearly $1 million for approximately 200 organizations, which focus on women and children. Additional information is available at edinafwc.org.
While the years have brought change, the Edina Woman’s Club has been around in some form since 1925. Members continue to meet at the same time and day of the month as its predecessors established more than 90 years ago—11 a.m. for visiting, 12 p.m. for lunch, with a 1 p.m. program on the fourth Monday of the month (September-May). Meetings are held at the Colonial Church.
“We have very interesting meetings,” current member Beatrice Rasmussen says. “They’re not frivolous. They are meat-and-potatoes meetings.” Programs have featured historical experts, members of the local media and notable Minnesotans, including U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar when she was the Hennepin County attorney. The Edina Woman’s Club steers clear of politics.
White elephant and book sales, as well as donations and dues from members, help support the club’s Edina High School scholarship program, which began in the 1950s.
Additional information is available by calling 952.927.9617.
Nicki Williams remembers how much she relished sitting down and being served a lovely lunch, which she could eat without a baby on her shoulder or a toddler at her knee. Six years ago, as a new member of the Morningside Woman’s Club (MWC), Williams appreciated the respite and friendship the group offered.
Today, Williams serves as president of the club, which has about 120 multigenerational members, from new mothers to women in their 90s.
MWC, founded in 1937, is open to residents and friends of the Morningside neighborhood. Meetings are 12:15-2 p.m., monthly (September-May) in Edina Morningside Community Church. Lunch or tea is provided, followed by a program. Additionally, Special Interest Sections highlight other activities, including bridge, City Tour Lunch Bunch, gardening, knitting, literature and French Club.
The club supports an annual college scholarship program, which is directed to Morningside neighborhood Edina High School seniors.
Additional information is available at google.com/site/morningsidewomansclub.
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For more information, contact Edina Federated Women’s Club, Edina Woman’s Club or Morningside Woman’s Club.
