The evolution of the Women’s Cultural Alliance

By Elaine Soffer, WCA Past President

Have you ever wondered how the Women’s Cultural Alliance (WCA), a unique women’s organization, came into existence? The almost 30-year journey is a testament to what a group of women working together can accomplish.

Brandeis University Women Naples Chapter

In 1994, the Brandeis University Women Naples Chapter (BUWNC) was founded by a group of friends whose mission was to create a volunteer organization to enable educated women to learn and socialize together. Several founding members, including Myra Freedman, Pauline Hendel, Bunny Levere, Judy Peltz (z’l) and Donna Wasser, were active in Brandeis groups in their former hometowns and created a Brandeis Chapter in Naples — a dues-supported, volunteer organization with programming led by the members.

The agreement with Brandeis University included a commitment to provide financial support to the university library in exchange for organizational support. The chapter’s growth proliferated because of increased development in Collier County during the ’90s.

Within a short period, the chapter had many book clubs and study groups for theater, opera, art, movies and current affairs. “Ladies who Lunch,” a social group that encouraged those attending to meet new people over lunch, was also offered. Some of these groups still exist today.

Many women worked endlessly to build today’s WCA. Some of them are pictured here: Nancy Kahn, Mary O'Haver, Dina Shein, Lenore Greenstein, Maureen Schaab, Barbara Karp, Patti Boochever, Elaine Soffer, Susan Pittelman, Phyllis Strome, Linda Simon, Lea Bendes, Sue Dean, Hope Abels (z’l), Arlene Sobol and Barbara Suden.

The chapter treasurer sent the dues directly to Brandeis, and Brandeis reimbursed the chapter for expenses incurred. This system worked for several years until the national BUWC asked chapters to increase contributions to the university for other programs. The Naples chapter objected to being asked to contribute additional money. In addition, the chapter could no longer meet in homes and needed help locating a larger program venue.

Two founding members of the Naples chapter, Wasser and Hendel, had an idea to enable the existing women’s group to continue. They approached Federation officers David Willens, executive director; Evy Lipp, vice president; Rosalie Bogo, president; and the Federation board of directors, and shared their idea of having a social, educational and nonfundraising women’s group that would operate under the Federation umbrella. The board supported this proposition and, in September 2008, the Women’s Cultural Alliance (WCA) was welcomed as an affinity group of the Federation.

Without Wasser and Hendel, and the foresight and hard work of all the women who left BUWNC to form a group with the Federation, the BUWNC would have ceased to exist and there would not be a WCA today. Women’s Cultural Alliance remains the only organization of its kind associated with a Federation in the U.S.

A new chapter began with Wasser at the helm

Wasser transitioned from the last president of BUWNC to the first president of WCA in September 2008. One crucial policy confirmed all women were welcome to become members. The following year, Wasser and Jane Hersch served as co-presidents. From 2009 to 2013, under Hersch’s leadership, WCA’s membership grew from 300 to over 1,000. The Speaker Series originated during that period.

I became president in December 2013. During my tenure from 2013-2020, the number of WCA offerings expanded to more than 100 unique programs, with members originating new programs and study groups. Satellite groups WCA North and WCA South were formed to provide programming held geographically closer to our expanding membership. WCA created summer branches in nine areas so WCA members could “take WCA home” with them over the summer. I led the effort to revise WCA’s bylaws to include a succession plan, which had been one of my primary presidential goals. During this time, WCA membership reached almost 1,700 members.

When COVID-19 struck in March 2020, all in-person programming, except some outdoor activities, ceased. Active membership dipped to 1,200. Ever resilient, WCA learned the new technology of Zoom and pivoted to virtual programming. I convened a committee to explore and eventually implement an automated membership management system, which was the second of my presidential goals, confident that WCA would bounce back after the pandemic.

In September 2020, I passed the presidential gavel to Patti Boochever. In the summer of 2021, WCA expanded with the formation of WCA NextGen, formed to attract younger members, especially those who work or have children at home and cannot attend daytime activities.

WCA is now in its 15th year (20222023) of programs. COVID restrictions have lessened, WCA is meeting in person and is stronger than ever. Programming, some of which originated under BUWNC, is extensive, including study groups, i.e., literature and theater; special interest groups, i.e., biking, “Serious Foodies” and bird watching; and special classes on numerous topics, including charcoal drawing and chair yoga. Th e phenomenal Speaker Series and trips to various destinations round out the programs.

WCA provides numerous dining opportunities to meet new people and renew friendships, including brunch, lunch and dinner parties, couples Shabbat dinners and attending a wide variety of programs and events.

From the small Brandeis University Women Naples Chapter in 2008, WCA has become an integral part of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. Back then, we were looking for a larger venue. Now, our 1,500 members have a new home in the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center and are enjoying the programming space it provides.

It has been quite an evolution. Thank you to the members of BUWGN who shared their memories and information for this article.