“Systemic change for women and girls.” That’s the driving vision behind the Chambers Center for the Advancement of Women here at the University of Denver. This center is more than just bricks and mortar. It embodies a dream realized through the dedication of visionary women.
Let’s step back to 1999. A group of women met for lunch. By the end of that meal, they had laid the foundation for an extraordinary gift to the University of Denver. It was also for women and girls across Colorado. Among them was Merle Catherine Chambers. Her name now graces the building’s entrance.
Michele “Mike” Bloom was then the dean of DU’s Women’s College. She recalls Merle’s immediate enthusiasm. Merle quickly committed to the naming gift. Her confidence validated the vision’s strength. It inspired others to understand its power.
Today, the Chambers Center is home to the Women’s College. The Women’s Foundation of Colorado is also located here. Many other DU and community-based programs are housed here too. This creates a synergy that was once unheard of.
Merle Chambers received DU’s 2009 John Evans Award. It is the University’s highest alumni honor. She loves the building. However, her commitment stems from the vision it represents. It aligns with her belief in systemic change for women and girls.
The Chambers Center is not just a building. It is a place where occupants unite. Their combined energies create a positive impact on the community. Chambers grew up in an “oil family”. She ran her family’s oil company for over a decade. She believes sharing her good fortune is both a responsibility and a privilege.
Chambers established foundations for women. These were in states where her family’s business operated. This included Wyoming, Montana, and Oklahoma. She also gave generously to existing women’s foundations in North Dakota.
Chambers runs the Chambers Family Fund today. It seeks upstream solutions. These improve the lives of women and girls. She recently made a $50,000 challenge gift. This was at a Women’s Foundation of Colorado luncheon. She also champions early childhood education.
The Chambers Center dedicates itself to education and advancement. It improves women’s economic security. It researches women’s issues. The center facilitates networking. It encourages philanthropy. Each organization continues its efforts. They mobilize to promote a society. In this society, all women’s talents and skills are valued, developed, and utilized.
Merle Chambers led Axem Resources Inc. for over 20 years. She pioneered women’s leadership in the oil and gas industry. She was one of few women CEOs in a male-dominated field. Chambers was the first woman inducted into the Rocky Mountain Oil & Gas Hall of Fame.
The Chambers Center stands as a testament. It reflects the power of vision, generosity, and dedication. It is creating lasting change for women and girls in Colorado and beyond.