A new organization in Oak Brook has been formed to fill the void created when the Oak Brook Women’s Club, a group that had been around for 59 years, was dissolved in 2023. The new group, Women of Oak Brook, became an authorized nonprofit organization in April and has a board of directors in place. “Closing the doors of one legacy organization inspired and opened the doors to establish a new one,” said Lara Suleiman, board president of Women of Oak Brook. “There was still a strong desire to have a dedicated women’s group in Oak Brook.” Suleiman, who also is an Oak Brook Park Board member, said the new group’s mission is to foster both social connections and community philanthropy. “The reality is that our lives are busy and can be complicated,” she said. “We wear multiple hats at the same time — the working or retired woman, the PTO mom, the caregiver, and so much more.” The vision behind the new group updates more traditional clubs from the past. Suleiman said the “ladies who do lunch” mentality of the past was not sustainable. “Because of this, rather than monthly luncheons, we plan only four events during our membership year (which begins in June), alternating between daytime and evening, cocktail-style events,” she said. “Overwhelming demand was for opportunities for socializing, rather than formal sit-down events.” Suleiman is hopeful this new way of doing things will attract new members from every generation. “Our goal is to be inclusive as well as diverse,” she said. “We hope all feel welcome and can meet and mingle among new and old friends.” Each of the Women of Oak Brook events supports a local community organization selected by the Board, with monetary proceeds and in-kind donations going toward that organization’s projects, Suleiman said. She said some people were disappointed and shocked to hear the news of the Oak Brook Women’s Club shutting down. “Many former members wanted to see a new group form, and Joyce Slone graciously offered to take that initiative,” said Suleiman, who was a 10-year member of the Oak Brook Women’s Club. “There was a tremendous amount of support and enthusiasm.” Within the year following the closing of the Women’s Club, several meetings were held to organize and structure the new group. “We are so blessed to have a Board of Directors reflective of our mission and values,” Suleiman said. “We come from different generations, careers and backgrounds, making it exciting to learn and support each other.” Along with Suleiman, the Women of Oak Brook’s Board includes Eleni Dimitriou, vice president; Samiyah Siddiqui, treasurer; Ashley Stout, secretary; and directors Rita Yadava, Elizabeth Arts, and Joyce Slone. Suleiman said Women of Oak Brook hopes to increase membership, establish strong marketing tools and initiate activity in the short-term. The group’s long-term goals include creating strong partnerships with other Oak Brook organizations and preparing and training new leadership for the transition of a new Board at some point, she said. More information about Women of Oak Brook is at www.womenofoakbrook.org. Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.