Marilynn Sweetser has been a member of the ARCS Metro Washington Chapter (ARCS MWC) since 1991. We applaud Marilyn’s continued commitment to ARCS MWC and her many contributions, especially her multiple leadership roles!

Marilynn learned about ARCS MWC because Maureen Martin—her bridge partner—spoke a lot about ARCS. Marilynn has always considered the organization to be a very worthy cause. It was also a good fit since she and her husband, Bill, had several school-age children and Marilynn was a former teacher. Marilynn and Bill have enjoyed going to ARCS MWC events through the years, socializing with the other members and meeting the impressive Scholars and learning about their amazing research!

Marilynn and Bill met many of their dearest friends at ARCS MWC and continue to be friends with them today. It was a very close group of people who enjoyed doing the work and, because everyone was involved, the events were cost-effective (and fun). Carole Sanders and Marilynn co-chaired the Gala and raised about $130,000—more than any other gala raised before! Holly Coyne and Marilynn started a golf tournament that ran for two years and Marilynn successfully encouraged Microsoft to donate $5,000 to the tournament! Marilynn chaired the original ARCS Loves You parties, the summer parties, and the Holiday parties (the Holiday parties were always free because they were intended to thank the members for all the work they did during the year). Also, the men were more involved in ARCS MWC at that time (for example, bartending the “traveling bar”) and were even given a symbolic piece of jewelry for volunteering that they had to wear to events or be fined! A great cost-effective measure they pioneered was to use silk flower centerpieces that were then auctioned off.

ARCS MWC events in those years were usually incredible because of the members’ connections. They held field trips to the Red Cross ship in Baltimore and NASA; they played bridge at the many Embassy events that Mary Kennedy chaired; they held the Scholar Awards Receptions at the U.S. Supreme Court for several years; and an event at the Academy of Motion Pictures was so popular that people ran to the post office to get their RSVPs in the mail because attendance was limited! 

When asked what she would say to chapter members, Marilynn said: "Call new members and ask for help! ARCS MWC is a really worthwhile cause but you have to get everyone involved and having fun." Their groups were always laughing! ARCS MWC is an organization where you should contribute more than just money—your time is a valuable donation, too! Get to know the Scholars and their projects. Also, find all the connections and capitalize on them, whether for events, camaraderie, or more donations!