The Union League Club of Chicago (ULCC) is a 140-year-old private city club with a remarkable history that is enmeshed in the political and cultural history of Chicago. As its motto reflects, Union League members share a strong “commitment to community and country” as well as a deep appreciation for the cultural arts. Its members come from more than 80 different professions and use the downtown club as a venue to socialize and network as well to engage in meaningful club-sponsored philanthropy and civic initiatives.
Through much of its history, women frequented the club and were able to enjoy club amenities, including their own floor with a restaurant and parlor and a dedicated elevator. In 1987, the club began admitting women as members, and since then ULCC has had four female presidents, including the current president, Martha Jahn Martin. With Nancy Ross, current first vice president, poised to serve as president next year, ULCC will have back-to-back female presidents for the first time in its history.
Changing with the Times. Members voted to change language in its bylaws and amend a few of its existing house rules when it began admitting female members. Over the last 30 years, the club has undergone several renovations, each of which has improved upon its ability to achieve parity between the male and female member experiences. The club has upgraded and transformed many of the facilities including adding changing tables for new mothers and has focused on programming for women as well as families to attract a broader audience.
General Manager/COO Mark Tunney said the club is cognizant of the need to ensure that women encounter the same level of comfort when experiencing all the amenities the club has to offer, “We do try and make sure that every individual who comes to the Union League feels that they are being accommodated, so we make our long-term plans accordingly. This year’s plans include upgrading a ladies’ locker room in the athletic facility and creating a ladies’ restroom on the 6th floor, where only a men’s room existed since the building was erected. It will involve building into an existing kitchen to make room for this improvement.”
Whether it’s physical accommodations or simply adjusting the culture of the club to align with its commitment to accommodating a diverse membership, Tunney believes it just makes good sense, “When we began looking at the social leg of the club, we recognized the need for growth, but it really just translates into being more cognizant of how we’re approaching our programs. Whether you’re male or female, you want to meet new people, socialize with others while enjoying great dining experiences and find opportunities for personal growth—what clubs provide for both groups are generally the same.”
A Diverse Civic- and Charitable-Minded Membership
Surrounded by ULCC’s renowned art collection, elegant millwork and stunning architecture, ULCC members do what members at most private clubs do: they dine at the three restaurants, socialize at member events and activity groups, workout on its six floors of athletic and wellness facilities, use the extensive library, reserve one of the 180 overnight guest rooms, attend diverse cultural events, and host friends and business associates. But a lot of very important and impactful work has been done inside this club by these members as well. Central to its mission is ULCC’s Public Affairs Committee (PAC) and the various subcommittees that address a wide range of public policy issues, sponsor programs on current affairs with prominent speakers, and serve as the conduit for members’ involvement in civic affairs.
Members are attracted to the club for its copious amenities, and because they seek to connect with like-minded people to grow their networks and expand their social circles. Tunney explained that ULCC’s membership marketing attempts to highlight its diversity, “There has not been a specific push to attract more female members. The truth is, our club is comprised of those in business, so whether you’re male or female, from a business perspective, there is a clear benefit in joining.”
Nancy Ross joined the club more than 20 years ago after having a sub-par experience at another downtown club. She joined ULCC, which was convenient to her accounting consultancy, with the idea that she’d primarily be using the fitness facilities and hosting the occasional client. She immediately felt a welcoming vibe and that has never faltered. “Within one week I received a phone call from a fellow member asking me to join a bridge game. So, I did. Well, someone noticed I was pretty good with numbers and figures, and soon another fellow member asked me to serve on the finance committee, so I did. And I’m so glad they did because I was brought up to serve; it’s in my DNA,” Ross said, explaining how she became so active in the club.
Value What Each Member Brings to the Community
ULCC doesn’t keep statistics, but Tunney says that ULCC has long had women in governance. In fact, nearly two-thirds of its committee members are women, and currently six of its 16 board members are female. Board assignments are made based upon the background experience, expertise and qualifications of members and (perhaps, it goes without saying) candidate criteria is the same for women and men.
“The benefit isn’t specifically in having a female president, as much as it is having a diverse board. Understanding that each member is bringing his or her own personal experiences to the table allows us to look at issues and opportunities from multiple points of view. This diverse perspective makes it possible to move away from the rut of ‘doing things one way because that’s the way it’s always been done toward ‘Let’s do it this other way because we’ve tried it that way already.’ As the board becomes more diverse, we get more perspective and continue to grow.”
Just as business and industry has evolved where women increasingly populate formerly male-dominated industries—such as the financial and legal communities—so too have clubs evolved. Naturally, as has been demonstrated in the corporate world, as more women become club members, more women will take on leadership roles. But try to draw that parallel with President Martin or first vice president Ross and they have mixed feelings about it because they have always felt supported and valued at the club.
Martha Jahn Martin has many fond memories of family functions and special events at ULCC; her grandfather joined in 1934 and her dad, brother, uncle and male cousins were members. In the early 90s, her uncle said he thought it was about time one of the women in the family became a member and he thought she should lead the charge. She became a member in 1994 and continues to enjoy the club—currently as president—along with a sister, sister-in-law and niece who are also now members.
“I think women’s perspectives are valued more here at the club than in the business world! Since I joined, I have been embraced for the knowledge I can bring to the table based on my experience in business. I have been encouraged by both men and women to seek out service and leadership positions because I am qualified for them. Not because I am a woman. Not in spite of me being a woman. But because I am a valued member and I have something to give. That’s been my experience.”
In a separate conversation, Ross doubled down on those sentiments. She has quite a resume of philanthropic service through ULCC’s three foundations and has held various positions on committees at the club, “These opportunities are possible because we are all valued members of the same club—we are truly a community. If you have the desire and the ability to give, as I have found, there are plenty of ways to do that for men and women. At the Union League Club, we have a strong culture of hospitality that extends beyond the staff and the members and really is apparent even among fellow members. And that culture creates a true openness here for all members to be involved and serve through leadership. The club encourages members to get involved in activities and committees, so they are more connected to the club. That engagement and sense of caring about the club naturally leads them into leadership roles.
The Union League Club of Chicago values its diverse community of talented men and women who, in turn truly cherish the club that provides them with opportunities to serve and to grow in so many ways.