Making History At the MAC

On May 20, Angie Minges took office as President of the Missouri Athletic Club. Her election marked the first time a woman has served as President of this historic institution. On the

current Board of Governors, Minges is also joined by two other women, Second Vice President Julie Ahrling and Cheri McLaughlin. In honor of this pioneering group, the Cherry Diamond is taking a look at some of the amazing women who have made the Club what it is today.

Since the Club opened its doors in 1903, it has seen many changes. From the building of the second Downtown Clubhouse in 1915 after the first building was razed in a fire to the acquisition of the West Clubhouse, the MAC has done its best to preserve the spirit of the Club while changing with the times. Perhaps one of the most controversial changes was the decision to allow female Membership, which took place in 1988. That same year, Jackie Joyner-Kersee (or Joyner at the time), dubbed the greatest athlete in the world at the time, took home two awards at the MAC's Sports Personality of the Year Banquet, the Carl O. Bauer Award for the number one amateur athlete and the titular Sports Personality of the Year Award. Along with the award, Joyner-Kersee was given an honorary membership, becoming the first woman to be a Member of the MAC. "You don't realize how touched I am on the inside to be here and to realize that not as a woman, but as a human being, I was able to walk into the doors and have men welcome me. I know you didn't judge me by the color of my skin, but you judged me as a human being, and I really feel that deep honor," said Joyner Kersee after winning the Sports Personality of the Year Award in 1988.

Today, Joyner-Kersee is much more than a six-time Olympic medalist. Her career post-athletics has been defined by her tireless philanthropic efforts, notably in East St. Louis, dynamic public speeches and advocacy for children's education, racial equality, women's rights and more. She also attends some MAC events.

When asked how she felt about President Minges' election, she said, "Angie being in this position is incredible. It shows growth and progression, and it’s about bringing people from all walks of life together. More and more women believe in what the Missouri Athletic Club is doing. And now to have a female leading the Club just speaks volumes."

Since Joyner-Kersee helped break the initial barriers for women at the Club, many others have followed, becoming influential leaders of the Club. Those featured here are just a small representative of these women. F

ANGIE MINGES The first woman to be President of the Club, Angie Minges took office on Thursday, May 20 at the Downtown Clubhouse. Minges, who is the Strategic Planning Leader at Nestlé Purina North America, is excited to be a part of the Club's ever-changing landscape. "The MAC has been around for more than 118 years serving Members who saw value in athletics, camaraderie, community and civic responsibility. To deliver that value to its Members, the MAC is constantly evolving and I'm excited to be a part of the evolution." In her time at the MAC, she led the Women's Initiative Group and was a part of the Membership Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee and the Board of Governors. She claims that her experience on the Board has been great, saying that she's "truly enjoyed working with other Members to enhance the future of the Club." In addition to her work at the Club, she has participated in several outside activities such as the Nestlé Purina Women's Leadership Forum, Stadia Ventures Mentorship, Girl Scouts Women's Leadership Network and more.

When speaking about her hopes for the future of the MAC, Minges said, " I hope women continue to want to lead within the Club, they find great mentors to help them both personally and professionally and they find the camaraderie and friendships I have found through my experience. The MAC is a very special place and I hope that any female Member sees the unique value the MAC can offer anyone who chooses to join our Club." You don't realize how touched I am on the inside to be here and to realize that not as a woman, but as a human being, I was able to walk into the doors and have men welcome me." - Jackie Joyner-Kersee

JULIE AHRLING

Among some of the Club's most influential leaders is the Club's current Second Vice President Julie Ahrling. Ahrling, who holds the position of Vice President, Treasury Management at Enterprise Bank & Trust and has served on several external committees such as the Saint Louis Sports Commission and the Ronald McDonald House Kids & Clays committee. Her contributions to the Club have been numerous. She has served the Club in various roles including being part of the Women's Initiative Group, Finance Committee, Charitable Society for Children, is one of the founders of the MAC PAC Social Club, the MAC's newest CWC. She has also hosted several events and has brought in many new Members to the Club.

CHERI MCLAUGHLIN

After the 2021 Club Election, Cheri McLaughlin was elected to the Board of Governors. This will be her second term on the Board. McLaughlin, co-owner and president of Sparks Milling Digital, has been involved in many MAC committees such as the Compensation Committee, Planning Committee, Liaison to Foundation and much more. When asked why she believes women should be represented in leadership roles, she said, "I value skillful leaders period. The Club welcomes and values gifts and talents from both men and women, and having women step up and take the initiative to go through our 'farm system' and participate in our competitive elections puts them on equal footing with the men who run for those positions. By doing so they are valued as the leaders they are, not just a checkbox on a diversity scoreboard."

JUDITH HANSES

Judith Hanses was elected to the MAC Board of Governors in 2011 after a career in leadership and management. She, along with the other Governors at the time, assisted in growing the MAC through the Clubs within the Club, the acquisition of the West Clubhouse and more. In addition to her work on the Board, Hanses has been a part of the Club Life Committee, the Women's Initiative Group and is active in the American Legion Post 4 and the Annual Veteran's Day Commemoration. When asked what she thinks of this year's historic election, she said, "Angie Minges’ election to president demonstrates the Club’s paradigm shift to more women assuming positions of leadership. Ms. Minges is a proven leader in the corporate world and will build upon the MAC’s longstanding reputation of strong leaders at the helm."

REBEKAH KINGSTON

Rebekah Kingston served on the MAC's Board of Governors from 2014-2017 but has been a Member of the Club for her entire life. Knowing this, she had no hesitation in accepting the nomination to run for the Board. She said that though she was the solitary woman on the Board for the majority of her time at the Club, she never felt singled out or out of place. Upon learning about Minges' election, she said she admires her as both a friend and as the leader of the Club. "I think it goes without saying that the MAC has, until very recently, been viewed as primarily a 'men’s club.' Angie’s election will most certainly help to eliminate that stereotype and pave the way for future woman leaders. I’m hopeful that this comes by way of not only more female Board Members but also that more women join as 'primary Members' as well."