Margot Seitelman
Margot Seitelman was the first executive director of American Mensa, from 1961 shortly after its formation until her death in 1989. The offices of the organization were originally in her apartment.
Biography
Early life
Seitelman was born in Würzburg, Germany to a Jewish family and immigrated to America via Luxembourg, where she settled in Brooklyn, New York.Career
The American branch of Mensa International formed starting in 1959. Two years later, it was incorporated. It began to outgrow its all-volunteer status, and needed a paid employee to manage its affairs. The original Mensa organization in Britain had set a precedent of having a housewife manage the organization out of her home. Thus, when Seitelman answered the Mensa advertisement in The [New York Times], she appeared to be an excellent match. She ran Mensa out of her Brooklyn apartment.Her title was variously given as Director, Executive Secretary, and Executive Director.
Until it separated from U.S. Mensa in 1967, Margot also administered Canadian Mensa memberships.
Later, when the organization outgrew her ability to manage it part-time out of her home, her duties expanded to full-time stewardship, and an office suite was rented, though still in the same building in which she lived.
In her 28 years as an employee, she became affectionately known as the mother of American Mensa.