Inspiring Women Summer 2019

Copenhagen, Denmark: Dancing the Tango
JONELLE LEMCKE
American Women’s Club of Denmark
From: New York City
Lives: Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
I grew up in Europe, due to my Dad’s postings in
the military, so you could say that being an Army
Brat is a defining element in my life story. We
were fortunate to spend a block of years in one
place, so although we were subject to the
tumbleweed character of military family life, we
had the opportunity to sink some roots. The good
is that in military communities, people tend to be
friendly and open because everyone has
experienced what it’s like to be the new kid on the block. Not to mention that there are almost
always common acquaintances around the world… making it a small place.
We lived in Orleans, France and Augsburg, Germany. I remember my childhood fondly and lived
a charmed life. I was active as a Girl Scout; our family was musical and my two older sisters and I
all had different activities and friends. My younger brother was just the annoying little kid who
got in the way, but we loved him. We traveled
Europe and I became an international citizen
in my early years.
My father’s family lived in Catskill, NY. But I was
always particularly fascinated by New York
City. It was the City of Oz! It was the place
where all dreams could be fulfilled and where
one could become whatever one wished - all
were welcome and all contributed to the mix.
So a year or so after I graduated from college
at Johns Hopkins University, I moved to live in
New York City where I accepted a job as a
director of graduate admissions at Pace
University in Manhattan.
While living in New York, one fateful night I met
my future husband while dancing Argentine
tango! The Fates had to work hard to make this
happen… My future husband, Erik, was in the
USA on a business trip to New England and
NYC. While in Denmark, he had lined up a
place to dance that particular Sunday night.
He arrived in NYC that particular evening after
concluding meetings in New Hampshire earlier
in the day; he arrived at the address for
dancing, but the dance had been cancelled
that evening. Events/places where one
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Dancing with Erik