Formed in 1958, the Saint Louis University Women’s Council fosters and encourages interest in SLU’s educational and research activities. The group highlights women on campus who are doing amazing and innovative work, and supports the Women's Council Mary Bruemmer Endowed Scholarship.
The Women’s Council began when Elise Werner, a noted philanthropist, invited a group of her friends to meet at Chouteau House (now Cupples House) on the Saint Louis University campus. They decided to establish a new organization to inform members about the University and its philosophy and objectives. The founding members aimed to both increase SLU’s reputation in the St. Louis area and to provide a channel to bring the University’s resources to the community.
Women's Council Mission
The Women's Council of Saint Louis University brings the University and the community closer together, by fostering and encouraging interest in the educational and research activities of the University, and by bringing knowledge of the objectives, educational philosophy and status of the University to the members of the Women's Council.
Mary Bruemmer Endowed Scholarship
Saint Louis University Women's Council members support the Women's Council Mary Bruemmer Endowed Scholarship, which provides about a dozen students with scholarship funds annually. Created to help meet the increasing need for financial aid among SLU students, the fund is named for Mary A. Bruemmer, a beloved and longtime administrator and full-time volunteer who served the University for 65 years.
Support the Mary Bruemmer Endowed Scholarship
Women’s Council Events
The Saint Louis University Women’s Council hosts social and educational events throughout the year to highlight new or interesting programming and offer a space for faculty and staff to speak about their personal experiences. Join us for one or more of our upcoming events.
9:30-11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024
Busch Student Center, Room 173
Join us for coffee and a light breakfast as we welcome Patricia Bass Ph.D., director of the Saint Louis University Jesuit Worldwide Learning program.
10 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024
Saint Louis University Museum of Art (SLUMA)
Join us as Petruta Lipan, executive director of SLU's museums and galleries, guides us through a tour of SLUMA and its current exhibits. After the tour, Cathleen Fleck, Ph.D., SLU’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts chair, will give an overview of its activities.
9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 12, 2025
St. Francis Xavier College Church Ballroom
Join us for a morning of prayer for Lent as we prepare for Easter, followed by Mass
and an optional tour of College Church and lunch. Tim McMahon, S.J., caononical pastor,
and Katie Jansen, College Church parish life coordinator, will lead this event, which
is being held on the anniversary of the canonization of Francis Xavier and Ignatius
Loyola.
Optional Lunch: $20
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Allied Health Building, Multipurpose Room
Join us for our annual spring luncheon to hear from Rochelle Smith, vice president of SLU's Division of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement.
Lunch: $30
Event registration will open in the weeks before each meeting. Visit our alumni calendar to RSVP for events open now.
For more information, contact Kris Siebert at womenscouncil@slu.edu or 313-977-3145.
About the Women’s Council Board
- Sandy Burkel - President
- Angela Blackshear (A&S '78 Grad '80)
- Sr. Mary Chaudet (Nurs ‘71)
- Sheila Heitz
- Maureen Hoock (DCHS '80 Grad '93)
- Marilyn Horst (SW ‘77)
- Margaret Mary Moore (A&S ‘79)
- Patty Smith (A&S ‘71)
- Jerrie Coughlin (A&S ‘65 Grad A&S ‘94) Past president
- 2024-2026 Sandy Burkel
- 2022-2024 Jerrie Coughlin
- 2020-2022 Gretchen Schulte
- 2018-2020 Amelia Kelly
- 2016 -2018 Susanne Gerber
- 2014-2016 Pat Forster (Pat)
- 2012-2014 Roisin Hughes
- 2010-2012 JoAnn Lusser
- 2008-2010 Kathy Anderson
- 2006-2008 Dottie Gorman
- 2004-2006 Kay Kaiser
- 2002-2004 Carole Less
- 2000-2002 Jeanene Dugan
- 1998-2000 Kate Gunn
- 1996-1998 Mary Bommarito
- 1994-1996 Mary Ferrick
- 1992-1994 Joan Lipic
- 1990-1992 Liz Mudd
- 1988-1990 Nancy Dooley
- 1987-1988 Nancy Bidwill
- 1982-1987 Penny Farrell
- 1975-1982 Lorraine Murray
- 1964-1975 Marie O’Sullivan
- 1962-1964 Barbara Muckerman
- 1958-1961 Elise Werner
FAQ
To join the Women’s Council, please email womenscouncil@slu.edu.
There are no membership fees or dues required to join the Saint Louis University Women’s
Council.
Most events do not have a registration fee. If lunch is served, a registration fee may be required to cover food expenses. Any fees associated with an event will be specified on each event registration form.