When three residents of The Clare decided to create a women’s group around 2017, they had a simple goal: replicate the collegial atmosphere of an existing men’s lunch group for the women of their community. What began as a modest monthly gathering has evolved into one of The Clare’s most dynamic resident-led organizations, bringing distinguished speakers from across Chicago to share their expertise with an engaged audience of residents.

Women Aware exemplifies the spirit of resident-driven programming that makes The Clare unique among senior living communities. Through the dedication of its volunteer committee and the enthusiastic participation of residents, the group has created a bridge between The Clare and Chicago’s rich cultural and civic landscape.

From Inspiration to Institution

The Clare had long hosted a men’s group called the Friars, which met monthly for lunch. While women weren’t explicitly excluded, “it was understood that it was a men-only group,” explains Claudia Boatright, one of the current co-chairs. The three founding women, Kathryn Brown, Rebecca Dixon and Carolyn Rusnak, “sought to replicate that organization for women.”

After pausing during the COVID pandemic, Women Aware resumed in late 2021 with renewed energy. Claudia, a retired history teacher who moved to Chicago from Cleveland, was initially just an attendee before being invited to join the steering committee. “Judith strong-armed me into chairing the committee,” she laughs, referring to committee member Judith Barnard.

Judith, a 14-year The Clare resident with deep theater connections, embraces the group’s informal approach. “We don’t have any formal structure,” she notes. “It’s a very casual meeting, but very meaty because we get a lot done.”

The committee members themselves find deep satisfaction in their work. “I like working with other people on a shared goal and achieving it,” Judith explains. “Knowing that a lunch or dinner meeting has gone well with a really positive response on everybody’s part, including the speakers, is a source of great satisfaction.”

For Claudia, the work connects to her professional background and interests. “Women Aware for me is an outlet for some talent, some expertise,” she notes, drawing on her career in teaching and public speaking.

A Collaborative Leadership Team

The current leadership reflects the diverse backgrounds that make Women Aware successful. Alongside Claudia and Judith, Roberta Weisberg serves as the group’s logistics coordinator. Roberta moved to The Clare in 2019 from Alabama, where she spent nearly 30 years supervising educational intervention programs. At The Clare, she found Women Aware to be an ideal way to connect with her new community.

“When I came to The Clare, I realized that the way to meet people and to get to know them beyond superficial was to join some sort of group,” Roberta explains. Her role focuses on the behind-the-scenes work that makes each event successful. “My primary role has become the background organizer, making sure all the name tags are printed and laid out, that the tables are set up just right.”

The committee is expanding from four to eight members, bringing new perspectives and connections to the group’s mission.

The Speaker Selection Process

Women Aware’s success stems from a thoughtful approach to finding compelling speakers who can engage their audiences without requiring speaker fees. The committee draws from three main sources: personal networks, community exploration, and strategic outreach.

“We find speakers first of all from people we already know,” Judith explains. “Many of us are involved in organizations and institutions throughout the city.” Her theater connections have brought artistic and executive directors to speak about their work, while Claudia’s ties to Fourth Presbyterian Church and Loyola University have yielded speakers on topics ranging from business ethics to urban history.

The group also cold calls speakers – with surprising success – and follows up on community activities. “We often go to places like a recent trip that The Clare took to the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art. We now have the head of that organization coming to speak very soon,” Judith notes.

Memorable Presentations

Women Aware has hosted speakers who have left lasting impressions on residents. Scott Simon of NPR drew the largest crowd, creating a wait list that pushed the boundaries of the Oxford Room, the usual site of Women Aware events.

One particularly impactful presentation came from Brad Hunt, Professor and Chair of the History Department at Loyola University Chicago, and an expert on race relations in cities. He presented on the history of segregation in Chicago using PowerPoint slides. “I

had many women afterward say to me, ‘I grew up in Chicago and I never knew this history’,” Claudia remembers.

Cristina Rocca, Vice President for Artistic Planning at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, offered insights into the complex process of planning a 10-month season, which garnered heavy interest among The Clare’s many concert patrons.

The diversity of topics reflects the committee’s commitment to broad appeal. Speakers have covered everything from theater management to urban planning, from Chicago’s architectural heritage to contemporary policing practices.

The Meeting Experience

Women Aware alternates monthly between lunch and dinner programs in The Clare’s Oxford Room. Lunch meetings begin at noon with the speaker presenting at 12:30 p.m., while dinner programs start at 6:00 p.m. with presentations at 6:30 p.m. Each session typically includes a 30–40 minute talk followed by Q&A.

Attendance consistently ranges from 35–50 residents, with the occasional program drawing up to 60 people. The committee produces flyers distributed to all independent residences, and residents sign up in advance so the dining service can prepare accordingly.

The hospitality extends to speakers as well. “If they’re going to drive, we make it possible for them to park with our valet parking in the garage, and we give them a voucher to cover that,” Claudia explains. The committee member who arranged the speaker serves as hostess, providing introductions and follow-up thank-you notes.

The Clare’s administration provides crucial support while respecting the group’s independence. The dining service prepares excellent meals that speakers often compliment, and staff assistance with logistics ensures smooth operations.

“The Clare supports all the organizations. They do a wonderful job,” Judith notes. “LCS and the administrative staff at The Clare really do anything we need and initiate many ideas.”

Looking Forward

Women Aware’s future is bright, with an expanded committee bringing fresh perspectives and new connections. The group maintains a pipeline of speakers planned three to four months in advance, with upcoming presentations including police consent decrees, museum curation, and public library innovation.

The committee’s philosophy remains grounded in relationship-building. “It’s about people knowing people really in the end,” Claudia reflects. The expanded committee will

bring new networks and ideas while maintaining the group’s commitment to quality programming.

As Judith puts it simply: “We hope we can simply continue as we have been successfully bringing interesting, enlightening, stimulating speakers that people continue to appreciate, to enjoy each other, and to enjoy the speaker.”

A Model for Resident Engagement

Women Aware represents the best of what resident-led programming can achieve in senior living communities. Through volunteer dedication, institutional support, and community engagement, the group has created something that enriches both individual lives and the broader Clare community.

The success of Women Aware demonstrates that age and residence in a senior community need not limit one’s connection to the vibrant intellectual and cultural life of a great city. Instead, it can provide a platform for deeper engagement, meaningful service, and continued learning that benefits everyone involved.

In a city as rich with expertise and cultural resources as Chicago, Women Aware has found an effective way to bring those treasures directly to The Clare’s residents, creating connections that extend far beyond any single presentation and fostering the kind of community engagement that makes The Clare truly distinctive.