Gayle Laakmann ‘11 warms up Seattle
Seattle has a reputation for being chilly both in terms of the weather and the social environment. That’s why Gayle Laakmann ‘11 founded Seattle Anti-Freeze, a group that is making it easier for young people to meet each other and make friends.
Laakmann and her business partner started by hosting theme parties with their friends, and friends of friends. The mailing list quickly mushroomed from a few hundred to over 3500 members, all by word of mouth and e-mail forwarding.
Now Seattle Anti-Freeze organizes running groups, ski trips, volunteer activities, and 10 large theme parties a year like December’s “Santa’s Saucy & Salacious Soused Soiree,” or last year’s Devils and Angels party. Costumed guests were dealt cards instructing them to take on a challenge, such as delivering a pickup line to a stranger. Everything is aimed at helping people meet each other and to keep ratios balanced, every guest is required to bring someone of the opposite gender. Whatever they’re doing is working, since Anti-Freeze’s events almost always sell out.
