Join us for the Matilda Sessions: Crafting a Fulfilling Life
What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
Join us at Meadow Brook Hall for the inaugural Matilda Sessions: Crafting a Fulfilling Life – an immersive half-day experience designed for young women (ages 18–30) who are ready to explore what’s next.
Inspired by the legacy of Matilda Dodge Wilson, this is not a lecture or a panel, but a thoughtfully-curated space for honest conversation, meaningful connection, and real reflection alongside peers and accomplished women leaders. Come curious about your path, your possibilities, and the life you want to design – and leave with clarity, confidence, and momentum.
This event will feature an elegant luncheon, inspirational welcome by the Matilda Circle, brief presentation by Meadow Brook Curator Madelyn Chrapla, thematic breakout sessions and a tour of Meadow Brook Hall.
Save your seat for the Matilda Sessions this fall and be part of a powerful circle of women shaping what’s possible.
The Matilda Sessions Details
Event Details:
Crafting a Fulfilling Life Path-Finding Session
Monday, Oct. 19, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
$25 each
Event Features:
- Inspirational welcome from the Matilda Circle
- Brief presentation by Meadow Brook Curator Madelyn Chrapla
- Thematic breakout sessions led by a diverse array of women
- Elegant luncheon
- Tour of Meadow Brook Hall
Advance tickets are required. Ticket link to come!
About the Matilda Sessions & the Matilda Circle
Motivating All women To be Inspired by her Legacy & Determination to empower A new generation.
Drawing inspiration from Oakland University’s remarkable matriarch, Matilda Dodge Wilson, The Matilda Sessions are presented by the Matilda Circle, a community of women focused on building connections across generations and professions.
The sessions are designed to spark ideas and engage in thought-provoking conversations with your peers and seasoned women leaders about the opportunities, challenges and unique possibilities awaiting today’s young women.
To cultivate a generation of thoughtful, confident women who intentionally design lives of purpose, impact, and fulfillment.
The Meadow Brook Matilda Sessions convene young women (ages 18–30) for meaningful dialogue, mentorship, and reflection – empowering them to explore possibilities, navigate uncertainty, and take bold next steps inspired by the legacy of Matilda Dodge Wilson.
Reflection – Clarifying personal values, goals, and definitions of fulfillment
Connection – Building authentic relationships across peers and mentors
Perspective – Gaining insight from experienced women leaders
Courage – Encouraging action, risk-taking, and self-trust
About Matilda Dodge Wilson
The daughter of a saloon-keeper, Matilda (Rausch) Dodge Wilson (1883-1967) was a self-made, modern woman of the 20th century who lived an all-American success story. She built a legacy as a businesswoman, preservationist, art collector, horsewoman, farmer and philanthropist.
Matilda was a born leader and a powerful advocate for women and women’s causes. Matilda was the first woman:
- Lieutenant Governor in America (1940)
- On the Michigan Board of Agriculture (1931)
- Chairman of a bank (Fidelity Bank & Trust Co., 1931)
- On the board of an automotive company (Graham-Paige, 1931)
She was also a mother who endured great tragedy in her life–first with the sudden death of her first husband John Dodge (of Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company) during the 1920 pandemic, then with the loss of her young daughter Anna Margaret from the measles just before her fifth birthday. Later, she lost her son Daniel Dodge as a young man just after his marriage. She found solace with the warm and kind-hearted Alfred Wilson, who she married in 1925 and with whom she adopted two babies, Richard and Barbara.
Upon her husband John’s death, she became one of the wealthiest women in the world. She used this fortune for good, giving generously throughout her life, serving with more than 40 community service, political and philanthropic organizations, and a passionate advocate for women’s rights.
Her commitment to philanthropy was immense—notably through her 24-year presidency of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Salvation Army, where she established an orphanage, a hospital, and housing for single women. Her involvement in national organizations allowed her to work alongside figures like Mamie Eisenhower to promote conservation, education and horticulture. In 1944, she established the Matilda R. Wilson Foundation Charitable Trust. Matilda was actively engaged with the causes she cared about, personally choosing clothes and gifts and wrapping presents for orphans and children of unwed mothers at Denby House.
Her most lasting accomplishments are the establishment of Meadow Brook Hall, which is today a National Historic Landmark, and the tremendous gift she made to found Oakland University in 1957. Matilda and Alfred’s gift of $2 million, 1,400 acres and the historic estate was the single largest act of personal philanthropy in education at that time. And its impact cannot be overstated. In just over fifty years, Oakland University has had an enormous positive influence throughout the region, providing a world-class education to more than 140,000 alumni, supporting thousands of jobs and driving an impressive $2 billion economic footprint.
