River Oaks Business Women's Exchange Club Houston's First Networking Business Club for Women
When businesswomen were growing professionally, but were not allowed to participate in the major networking organizations, Marilyn Elam decided to start her own. On February 12, 1976, fewer than ten business and professional women (including current member Mary McKerall) met at the Travelodge on Waugh Drive to organize what was to become the River Oaks Business Women’s Exchange Club.
Marilyn, who came to Houston to take a federal district court law clerkship, sought the help of Gertrude Barnstone, well known artist and activist, in recruiting prospective members for ROBWEC. The small group continued to meet informally until July 1976, when member Jeanne Atherton moved it to its current home, the River Oaks Country Club. Since 1976, the first women’s business club in Houston Texas, has been meeting there. A feature article on the Houston Post in early 1977 brought enough inquiries that membership had to be capped at 100 and a more formal procedure for membership established.
Today, ROBWEC has morphed into RClub, but still keeps its pledge to provide an association of women established in their professions who promote the businesses, services, and financial advancement of members.
Presidents of the River Oaks Business Women’s Exchange Club 1976-2024
- 2024
- 2023
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- Holly Smith, President-Elect
- Jane Seger
- Gayle Ann Gourwitz
- Susan Schmaeling
- Sheila Bezdeck
- Emilie Booth
- Karin Marshall
- Amy Leggio
- Catherine Cabaniss
- Gwen Redman
- Chris Noble
- Vita Como
- Suzanne Fain
- Jane Page Crump
- Nancy Gardner
- Lauren Kirkwood
- Leila Perrin
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
- 2003
- 2002
- 2001
- 2000
- 1999
- 1998
- 1997
- 1996
- 1995
- 1994
- 1993
- 1992
- 1991
- Ann Keibler
- Julia Ingram Fetzer
- Nancy Sims
- Lin Mills
- Susan Clark
- Judy Reiner
- Beth Wolfe
- Emily Agis-Wahl
- Anita Bunkley
- Karen Pitts
- Mary McKerall
- D ale Hill
- Elizabeth Gatewood
- Deborah Yahner
- Sandy Levine
- Janie Nathans
- Bette Stead
- 1990
- 1989
- 1988
- 1987
- 1986
- 1985
- 1984
- 1983
- 1982
- 1981
- 1980
- 1979
- 1978
- 1977
- 1976
- Mary Holecek
- Leslie McManis
- Sydney Staley
- Anne Graubart
- Nora Garcia
- Jan Fischer/Margaret Lincoln
- Fran Flanagan
- Karen Taylor
- Evelyn Cox
- Jerelyn Taylor
- Sharon Macha
- Zola Cater
- Gretchen Stephens
- Jeanne Atherton
- Marilyn Elam (Founder)