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Community Corner

Local Club Discusses Its History, the Change in Women's Roles

The University Park Woman's Club Celebrated 70 years at the Riverdale Presbyterian Church Sunday.

With only two women’s clubs in Prince George's County, the University Park Woman’s Club celebrated the evolving role of women since its inception after 70 years Sunday afternoon.

The only other women’s club is in Laurel, and it’s largely due to the growing opportunities that women have now to venture off to create careers, said UPWC President Anna-Mae Kobbe, and to take government positions that directly help their communities.

But originally, the women’s club was the premiere way to expand their roles outside the home, Kobbe said.

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“It’s a lot more fun than staying home making beds and running vacuums,” said Maxie Phillips, resident and a former president of UPWC from 1992 to 1994.

The event celebrated past presidents and long-time members of the club, who shared intricate stories of their experiences with UPWC.

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Longest-tenured Member Margaret Callaghan has been in the club for 45 years and served as president twice—from 1981 to 1984 and again from 2000 to 2004. Ruth Lutwack followed behind her as a member for 43 years, serving as president from 1971 to 1973.

With the backing of her members, Lutwack became mayor of University Park after a discussion about the faults of the community at a UPWC meeting. When she toyed with the idea of running for the position, her members immediately backed her.

“We did have 150 members at that time and they said, ‘you know, we also have 150 husbands’,” she joked. “I didn’t really think I had a chance and didn’t take it that seriously.”

But her experience running a women’s club, coupled with the support of the members, made her a winner.

Kobbe continued to celebrate all who lent a hand in helping UPWC prosper. She noted that the group had been around to experience all facets of history.

For 70 years, the club has aided their community with plenty of volunteer services, including setting up plant exchanges, book clubs, and house tours for seasonal lightings. They’ve given two different every year for 65 years, abiding by their motto, “the highest of distinctions is service to others.” 

For Kobbe, community service is the root of a prosperous neighborhood.

“They help to create livable, sustainable communities,” she said. “It’s a social support system for residents, helps develop educational and cultural opportunities. Government, business, the education sector really can’t provide everything. Tax dollars can’t stretch everywhere, so volunteers are needed.” 

According to Kobbe, the dollar value of a volunteer hour is equal to $22.32 in Maryland.

Though UPWC does not tally up their service efforts, she estimates that in the last year, they’ve racked up about 1,000 hours. And that alone does not include the work done from members outside of the club.

 “Even $22,320 isn’t too shabby of contribution to the community,” Kobbe said. “An hour of volunteer service is quite a value to any community in America.”

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