The 2018 Chrysanne Manoles Women In Leadership Award will be presented this Thursday, May 24, at the Rotary Club of Edina meeting at the Edina Country Club. This is the ninth Women in Leadership Award given, named after Chrysanne Manoles, the first female member of our club. She is still active in Rotary today. In Manoles’ honor and to celebrate the work of women in the community, the Rotary Club of Edina established an annual women’s leadership award in 2008.
 
The speaker will be the 2017 Women in Leadership Award winner, Lauren Morse-Wendt.
 
For more on the award and this week's speaker, click on the link below...
 
 
Reflecting society in 1905, the Rotary organization was limited to male members and remained so officially until 1989, when the Council on Legislation, Rotary’s parliament, voted to eliminate the male-only provision, opening up membership to qualified women across the world. However, the forward-thinking Rotary Club of Edina welcomed its first female member, Chrysanne Manoles, a year earlier in 1988. Manoles continues to be active in Rotary.
 
In Manoles’ honor and to celebrate the work of women in the community, the Rotary Club of Edina established an annual women’s leadership award in 2008. Previous winners include Dr. Laurel Wills, Ann Byrne, Donna Tilsner, Katey Taylor, Kim Foote and Kris Marshall. Nominees cannot be current Rotarians and must live, work or volunteer in Edina. Female nominees must demonstrate Rotary’s “Four Way Test” of the things we think, say or do: Is it the truth? Is if fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
 
The speaker will be the 2017 Women in Leadership Award winner, Lauren Morse-Wendt. She is a Lutheran Deacon serving for the past 10 years on the staff of Edina Community Lutheran Church. Passionate about the intersection of faith and social justice, she is grateful to serve a congregation deeply committed to community involvement, particularly for the opportunity to see 66 West built.  A graduate of St. Olaf College and Luther Seminary, Lauren is a native Michigander who now calls Minnesota home.  She and her wife, Michelle, live in St. Paul with their children, Luke and Grace.
 
Rotarian Susan Stiles will give her Classification Talk at the meeting.
 
The Rotary Club of Edina meets at 12:15 p.m. Thursdays at the Edina Country Club. All are welcome. Cost is $20 (for adults, $12 for kids) for lunch and the program. Cash, check or credit card payments are accepted at the door.
 
For more information about the the Women in Leadership Award, contact club Past President Jennifer Bennerotte, 612-201-3467 or jbennerotte@EdinaRotary.org.