JACKSON – Officers and members of the Westlake adult community chapter of the Brandeis University Women’s Committee are thrilled to have received their national charter.
“On Oct. 24 Dr. Dottie Pierce, the national president of the Brandeis University Women’s Committee, gave the Westlake chapter its official charter at its regional meeting held at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township,” said recording secretary Ellen Keller. “The Westlake chapter, which was formed only 18 months ago, has grown to over 300 members in its short history.”
Keller said the organization which offers special events and study groups on many topics has raised more than $16,000 this year for the Science for Life project at Brandeis University, Waltham, Mass. The project seeks to research possible cures for neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
During its organizational period the Westlake group received an award for being the Best Chapter in Formation. Funds were raised throughout the chapter’s first year of activities.
The events included a Meet and Greet fundraiser, a Day of Beauty fundraiser at Nordstrom, study groups and luncheons.
Keller said chapter co-presidents Ruth Badian and Phyllis Van Wagenen received the national charter from Pierce.
Also present were study group chairwomen Elene Kurtzman and Greta Pineles, treasurer Michelle Feldman, membership chairwomen Nadine Krystall and Lois Krystall, programming chairwoman Gail Rubin, special events chairwoman Paula Barth, and Keller.
The Brandeis University Women’s
Committee was founded in 1948 to raise money for the university’s
library. Its mission was accomplished
with little difficulty
as the one
millionth book was purchased quickly, Keller
said.
After that goal was
reached the organization
pursued other goals, including the Science for Life project. The group mixes its philanthropic mission with activities so that members are fulfilled on many levels, Keller noted.
The Brandeis University Women’s Committee is open to all women who reside at Westlake. It is a nonsectarian organization which seeks to fund research to save lives and to provide intellectual satisfaction in a fun-filled way.
The organization has reached out to the community by donating books to the Holman School.
“There are also plans to have members read to the Holman School children,” Keller said. “Thus, Brandeis is working to help the community in many ways.”