Dear Friends - GFWC

DECEMBER 2016

WHRC NEWS Newsletter of the GFWC Women’s History and Resource Center

IN THIS ISSUE MILESTONE PROJECTS OF THE PAST

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WHRC PROJECTS TO INSPIRE

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COLLECTION CONNECTION

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YOUR HISTORY MATTERS: A CALL FOR ORAL PRESERVATION

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FRIENDS OF THE WHRC

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GFWC Women’s History and Resource Center 1734 N Street NW Washington, DC 20036-2990 800-443-GFWC 202-347-3168 ext. 137 www.gfwc.org/WHRC

Dear Friends Dear Friends of the WHRC,

In the spirit of the season and gift giving, we would like to pose a question to each of you. Currently, the WHRC newsletter is only distributed to those who have donated to the WHRC. This means that our success stories, preservation advice, acknowledgement of Friends of the WHRC, and articles detailing the remarkable history of GFWC reach a very limited audience of approximately 400 clubwomen. We would like to propose opening up the WHRC newsletter to all who wish to receive it. This would allow every Federation sister the opportunity to receive the newsletter by signing up through the GFWC website, regardless of whether they have donated. By making the WHRC newsletter more accessible, we hope the work of the WHRC will become more apparent to clubwomen, and in turn facilitate more support and increase awareness of our history. We would like to gather your input on this matter before a final decision is made. You can find our poll by clicking this URL http://bit.ly/WHRCpoll. Please participate by February 1 to let us know what you think.

Sheila E. Shea International President

Thank you all for your support and happy holidays!

Rosemary M. Thomas, Ed.D.

Best,

Chief Operating Officer

Michelle Furman Director of Communications and Public Relations

Alyssa Constad Women’s History and Resource Center Manager

Kathy Canzano, WHRC Chairman

The mission of the GFWC Women’s History and Resource Center is to collect, preserve, interpret, and promote the history of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and women volunteers.

1-800-443-GFWC (4392)

Debbie Grieder, WHRC Committee Member

Sandra Mattocks, WHRC Committee Member

[email protected]

www.gfwc.org

WHRC NEWS DECEMBER 2016

VISIT GFWC.ORG The GFWC website has several features that highlight the work of the Women’s History and Resource Center, GFWC’s history, and the collection. Visitors to the website may view Federation Facts that outline our 125 years of history, digital exhibits, and our online catalog that has a majority of GFWC’s archives and collections.

DO YOU “LIKE” GFWC? “Like” GFWC on Facebook to join in the conversation—find the latest updates, photos, events, and more right in your News Feed. Share your GFWC stories, connect with fellow members, and participate for special prizes and offers. Go to www.facebook.com/gfwcmembers to get started.

MILESTONE PROJECTS OF THE PAST Please enjoy these stories of meaningful past projects submitted from GFWC clubwomen across the country.

1951, AN INSPIRATIONAL YEAR IN THE HISTORY OF THE GFWC BILLINGS JUNIOR WOMAN’S CLUB Submitted by Judy Senteney of GFWC Billings Junior Woman’s Club In February 1951, 160 members of the GFWC Billings A screening board was necessary to find a kind Junior Woman’s Club (Montana) were informed that and understanding married couple of high moral GFWC, together with the Kroger Food Company, character with experience raising foster children. was sponsoring a Build Freedom with Youth Contest. Plans and budget were presented to the Community Club departments were tasked with identifying Chest of Billings (CCB), in hopes of becoming one community needs from local residents. Suggestions of their agencies. The CCB felt they were starting on included a youth center for dances and handicraft, too large a scale, but the club was told they could a student driving program, reapply if they operated the and audiometric testing in home successfully for one year. The enormity of the schools. But the Department A downtown headquarters of Public Welfare and Family project became evident, was located at a real estate Welfare Service pressed for office. Fundraising began, radio but the club felt the a home for children from stations and newspapers ran need to continue. the time they were taken by feature articles, letters were welfare, police, or probation sent to firms and individuals, until they were returned to their own homes, placed and speakers were assigned to present at civic in foster homes, or placed for adoption. organizations. The town was divided into sections After discussion at the April meeting, the club voted to establish and maintain an Emergency Receiving Home for Children, without discrimination as to race, religion, or color. The enormity of the project became evident, but the club felt the need to continue. The first hurdle was finding a location. The facility could not be within city limits. Advertisements were placed in the newspaper and spots were broadcast over the three local radio stations. Only one suitable location could be found. It seemed ideal with seven bedrooms, two bathrooms, a family-sized dining room, and a kitchen with a breakfast nook, all completely furnished. The price seemed exorbitant at $300 per month, but in May, the club decided to rent the house. Members embarked on a huge learning curve. A state license was obtained and they learned the county would pay them $1 per child per day.

and members were assigned areas. Many call-backs were necessary to people who wanted to think it over. Progress was slow. The mayor proclaimed September 8 as Receiving Home Tag Day. Senior High students made tags and sold them downtown, making a profit of $817.86. Housewives left porch lights on if they had donations, which were picked up by members, resulting in a profit of $344.18. Students canned forty quarts of plums and apples in the school kitchen. Navy mothers donated an eight sheet automatic washer. A table was donated. Dixie Cream Donuts promised donations. The Yellowstone Hatchery would pay $20 each month for electricity. Dr. George Nelson promised free medical care to each child. The house was cleaned. The Dedication and Open House were held on September 30. The first child was admitted on October 1, 1951, less than eight months after the first planning meeting!

DECEMBER 2016 WHRC NEWS

MILESTONE PROJECTS OF THE PAST DOWNTOWN DECORATING IN MONTGOMERY, OHIO Submitted by Amy Rosenberg of GFWC Montgomery Woman’s Club In 1982, at the request of Montgomery City Council, the Montgomery Woman’s Club (MWC) of Ohio took on the task of decorating downtown Montgomery for the holidays. The first year was treated as an experimental pilot project because there was not enough time to purchase permanent decorations. Instead, fresh greenery, bows, and lights were used. During the spring of 1983, a master plan for holiday and seasonal decorations was drawn under the direction of the MWC Public Affairs Committee. Carol Wooledge created the design, which was modeled on historic Williamsburg, Virginia. In 1997, MWC officially undertook the ‘Downtown Decorating’ project and the coordination of volunteers. Funds to purchase greenery and bows were made available through the MWC Financial Advisory. The club, along with a former MWC president Ann Sexton agreed to manage the project

of Downtown Decorating for the City of Montgomery. Nancy Cleary, clubwoman and member of the beautification committee, and fellow clubwoman Arlene Wojcieszak, organized ‘Downtown Decorating’ with the support of the city. On a designated Saturday in early November, members and community volunteers arrive at the city’s Service Building to ‘fluff’ garlands and wreaths of varying sizes and to apply bows. On the following Monday, the city workers take the prepared greenery to designated buildings in downtown Montgomery or drop items off at the historic Universalist Church for teams to apply greenery to various sites in the downtown district. MWC, the Beautification Committee, the City of Montgomery, and community volunteers work tirelessly in the wind, rain, sleet, and snow to ready the historic district for the holiday season. In early January, the city

workers remove the greenery and return it to the Service Building. MWC and community volunteers repair, clean, and inventory the greenery prior to until the next holiday season. More greenery is purchased during the winter months to complete the inventory in preparation for the following winter.

THE JUNIOR WOMAN’S CLUB OF ESCONDIDO INTRODUCES FIRE SAFETY WEEK Submitted by Linda Bridges of GFWC Contemporary Women of North County In 1982, the Junior Woman’s Club of Escondido (California) joined forces with the Escondido Fire Department to introduce fire safety to preschool children in the community. This was done by giving children an opportunity to practice the procedures they should use if a fire broke out in their home or on their clothing. The club first contacted local fire departments to see if they would be interested. Encouraged by the enthusiasm of fire department personnel, they contacted the Children’s TV Workshop (CTW) for suggestions on developing activities for the children to teach them fire safety. The TV

Network supplied the Junior Woman’s Club of Escondido with the “Sesame Street Fire Safety Resource Book” which gave the club valuable information.

characters, visual aids, and direct experience with firefighting equipment, the club hoped to reduce the present high vulnerability of these young children to fire and burns.

After much preparation and planning, Fire Safety Week was held at the main fire station in Escondido, where children were able to visit four different workshop areas. Each workshop exposed the children to a different area of fire safety: what to do if their clothes catch on fire, how to escape a burning house, what to do if they burn themselves, and safety with matches. By reaching preschoolers with fire safety messages through the use of Sesame Street

Over 800 preschool students attended Fire Safety Week, and teachers reinforced the program by incorporating club-supplied fire safety materials into their classrooms. The lessons these children learned helped them protect themselves from possible injury due to fire, and they served as ambassadors to their families to help remind their parents just how important fire safety is. The club felt this project would reduce deaths and injury due to fire in the community.


Inspire

WHRC PROJECTS TO

DIGITIZING THE PAST AND MAKING IT ACCESSIBLE FOR THE FUTURE Submitted by Sharon Rasmussen of GFWC Wake Forest Woman’s Club The Wake Forest Woman’s Club (North Carolina) will mark its 55th anniversary as a GFWC-chartered club on December 1. At about the same time, the club’s website editor will complete a multi-year project to celebrate the organization’s long history of community service by archiving memorabilia on the club website at www.wake-forest-womans-club.com.

accessible to members. “I wanted to get those

“When I joined almost six years ago, I offered to generate a website for the club. I envisioned a two-part site: a public page and a passwordprotected area for members,”

took several years, but most of the historical

The private area includes materials used in the club’s current work, such as forms and the yearbook. But she said the club also had a number of historical scrapbooks, photo albums, and other memorabilia stored in bins in a rented storage unit, so they weren’t

up onto the website where members could enjoy them and learn from them,” Sharon said. Sharon experimented and decided the best method was to photograph each of the 2,000plus pages and items and enhance each in Photoshop. Albums were converted to PDFs. All were displayed in online portals. It has artifacts are now posted. One of the scrapbooks is also posted to the public page of the website, and other volumes will rotate through as a means to keep the main page fresh for potential new members. “Past members served this town in amazing ways, and their stories are now available for our club members’ exploration, from the

launch of Wake Forest’s first library to driver safety courses, from fluoridation of the water supply to administering polio vaccinations to children,” she said. “We can learn from our predecessors’ examples and even incorporate many of their ideas into the service activities we carry out today.”

Women’s History Newsletter December 2016 Kim Plater, Women’s History and Resource Center, CFWC State Chairman [email protected]; 909-620-7235; 10 Comanche Circle, Pomona, Ca. 91766 Monthly Newsletter located at cfwc.org, WHRC Chairman

THE “FIRSTIES” PROGRAM OF GFWC CALIFORNIA Wonderful things are happening in California. Thanks to current California WHRC Chairman Kim Plater, GFWC history is still very much part of the present. Kim reports that she first began to write a monthly history newsletter in order to peak interest in the WHRC, and initially distributed it at State Board meetings and on the California Federation of Women’s Clubs website. Eventually, Kim began to receive requests for newsletter delivery, and picked up a loyal following of “history buffs.” Last year, Kim

decided to take her outreach a step further and developed the “firsties” program. The Firsties program started with the Covina Woman’s Club, and features club members and women who were “first” to accomplish something in their community. The program was so successful that it has expanded statewide. You can find more information about California’s Firstie Program, as well as an application to become a Firstie, on the CFWC website at www.cfwc.org.

November 2016 Tidbit: Under which CFWC PresiArchives, Cont’d dent did CFWC prepare a resolution recommending that teachers’ minimum salaries be $2,400 Ontario Library and other sites such as historical socieand that A.D.A funds be raised from $90 to $200. ties and museums. Do you know where your records are stored? We do have some historical records at our Under the leadership of Mrs. Benjamin F. Warner State Office (closet) in Ontario. Our State WHRC chair(CFWC President 1945—1947) a resolution was man is in process Women’s History New sl ethe tt e r of cataloguing what is currently passed to increase teacher’s the 2 0 1there. She will also be visiting UC Santa Cruz in a few n o vsalaries e m band er 6 A.D.A for schools. Mary Warmer was the 41st months to determine their policy on storing additional Kim Plater,She Women’s and Resource CFWC State Chairman kimCFWC records. She’ll keep you updated. CFWC President. joinedHistory the Ontario Wom- Center,

[email protected]; 909-620-7235; 10 Comanche an’s Club in 1914 and served as President from Circle, Pomona, Ca. 91766 Monthly Newsletter located at cfwc.org, WHRCAChairman Loving Daughter Honors Her Mother 1926 – 1928. She was instrumental in bringing Helen Keller to the club in 1915, and was dedicatI am so glad CFWC has a website where our community ed to the welfare of children, helping bring the members(FYI, canWilliam ask questions about our Federation. October 2016 Tidbit And the Hearst Newspaper Randolph Hearst’s mother to the 1st Kindergarten and community nurse That is where I met Pam Pam sent CFWC was Phoebe Hearst, a CFWC club member and Berberich. 1st Treasurer of city. She later served asfederation President of the San Ber- an inquiry about her mother, Beatrice Miller, CFWC Under which CFWC President did the GFWC). Facing continued money problems, corruption (worthy of prepare a resolution closing nardinoprotesting Federationthe from 1929of– the 1930.a book in and of member who had recently passed away. While going itself), a dwindling patient population, studies Narcotic Hospital at Spadra. Where is Spadra through her mother’s belongings she came across her indicating 2016 Tidbit: Under the CFWC presi-treatment of addicts was not successful, the drug hospilocated. WhatDecember relationship does it have to CFWC mother’s CFWC Rolando Woman’s Club President’s tal could not be maintained. of Miss Josephine Chairmen Kimdential Plater leadership and Alice Slaughter? (As I G. Seaman of scrapbook and materials from her presidency from University’s property was located adjacent to Jolla fromhas 1933—1935 the interestsCalofPoly thePomona Cali- Southern always say, a La good story murder, corruption, District. She said the material was in a Spadra property. It later became known as Lanterman State ghosts and a connection to CFWC). fornia Federation centered around 1.)the crime pre- “blanket” box. How many of you remember when Hospital. Because of its close proximity to the University Police blankets came wrapped in a big box? I did and knew Spadra was oncevention; part of Rancho San Jose, a Mexican ranchand finger2.)possession of firearms Department, officers at Cal Poly Pomona often respond to “back that I could find a place for the box in our State Office. created in 1837 by the Mexican Governor of California. The printing; 3.) the effects of alcohol on the up” human calls when requested. Both Alice Slaughter and Kim Plater The day the box arrived, I opened it and was overland was sold to Louis Phillips. He later sold some of the body; 4.) the work of the Federal Administration (Covina Women’s Club members) were Cal Poly police officers and whelmed with its contents. There were Southern Disland later known as Spadra to Billy Rubottom in 1866. He in the interests of the industrial security and were very familiar with “Spadra”. The department also provided trict Annual Convention pamphlets, California Clubwas “a rough frontiersman, wanted in his native Arkansas police dispatch for the location. A little know fact is that home was Seaman doing services woman Magazines (1965, 1970), hundreds of photos for killing two men with aprotection. knife. And in What El Monte, heMiss shot his daughter was murdered at Cal Poly indeath.” 1940? Originally a stagecoach stop ad- a Lanterman employee’s and club, district and State memorabilia. The following own son-in-law to Pomona. It was believed that her husband killed her but he was is the letter I received from Pam about her mother. jacent to Pomona, Ca., Spadra became a Southern Pacific Society of American Archivists never arrested. The husband was later murdered prior to charges Thank you for sharing everything with CFWC! Railroad stop. Spadra began to grow and Phillips built his being filed. (Sources: Altering American Consciousness, The Histhought red brick mansionHave there.you Eventually theabout City ofdonating Colton be- your organizatory of Drug Use in America, CFWC History Highlights and Alice came the major stop on records the railroad and Spadra was BEATRICE MILLER tional toline a repository? Find out more inSlaughter). Lanterman closed in 2015 and Cal Poly Pomona is the phased out. Today the name by Spadra existsthe onlyfollowing on its cemeCFWC Rolando Woman’s Club President 1953— 1954 formation visiting website: new “owner”. It’s new name is Cal Poly Pomona, Campus South. tery (which is haunted—if you want to know more Ask AlCFWC Southern District, President 1964—1966 http://www2.archivists.org/publications/ The University Police Department will be responsible for providing ice), and the now closed landfill. Phillips home is currently CFWC Rolando Woman’s Club President 1974—1975 police services. brochures/donating-orgrecs. Currently, club, disthe Pomona Historical Society (Source:(uselectionatlas.org/ November Tidbit: Under which CFWC President trict and State records are housed in various loca-2016 FORUM/index.php?topic=200471.0 retromike22, Alice Even though Beatrice was busy with making a home for her family did CFWC prepare resolution that on the neighbortions throughout the State (e.g. Pasadena Library, she stilla found time to recommending be a PTA officer, worked Slaughter) hood election board, a founding member of the teachers’ minimum salaries bewas $2,400 and that A.D.A Huntington UC Santa Cruz, The California State LegislatureLibrary, selected Spadra as the site UC Berkeley, funds be raised from $90 to $200. of a mental hospital, named the “Pacific Colony.” which opened in 1927. Within the confines Looking for a Project ? DOLLAR A DECADE Pat Irot is the of the Colony there was the State Orange District Women’s History and Resource ChairNarcotic Hospital. The legislature was divided on whether drug addicts man. To support the WHRC in Washington D.C. she should be confined to jail/prison or proposed that all of the clubs in her District donate “A Dollar a Decade” and add a dollar for part of a decade. treated at a State hospital. The name of the facility later changed Example: Club XYZ joined GFWC Federation in 1910; to Pacific State Hospital and then Lanterman State Hospital. From 1910 to 2010 is 10 decades; From 2010 to 2016 is In 1935 there was talk of eliminating the State Narcotic Hosa portion of a decade; the club donates $11 to WHRC. pital. Under the leadership of Mrs. Annie Little Barry, CFWC President , the federation voted to support a resolution to Clubs send in their donations to WHRC. At the concluprotest closing the Narcotic Hospital. Those supporting the sion, if all clubs participate, Pat hopes Orange District Narcotics Hospital were primarily women’s groups (CFWC) clubs will raise approximately $130. Great idea Pat!


COLLECTION CONNECTION

1935 Edition of Jane Addams by James Weber Linn, donated by Barrie Coleman “Jane Addams” was the first biography published on the legendary clubwoman shortly after her death in May 1935. Weber’s biography is remarkable for its detail and research as the book delves into Addams’ personal life with firsthand accounts from her family members. This copy is also a first edition print, making it a valuable addition to the GFWC collection.

“Christmas Stories” by Charles Dickens, signed by Gerald Dickens, donated by GFWC Auburn Junior Woman’s Club of Connecticut Although seemingly unlikely, GFWC and the Dickens family share a timeless bond. GFWC sprang to life when Jane Cunningham Croly was famously rejected from a New York City event honoring Charles Dickens. Livid that she would not be admitted entrance despite her journalistic credentials, Croly was inspired to start the club that would eventually lead to the formation of GFWC. This book contains the classic stories “The Chimes,” “A Christmas Carol,” and “A Ghost Story of Christmas” and is signed by Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens. The book was presented to him for signing by the Auburn Junior Woman’s Club, along with a letter describing the connection between his family and GFWC.

YOUR HISTORY MATTERS! A CALL FOR ORAL PRESERVATION In the early 1990s the WHRC launched a nationwide effort to verbally collect the histories of our illustrious clubwomen. The project resulted in an impressive collection of over 200 oral histories, ranging from International Past Presidents and region presidents to members of local committees and everyday clubwomen. These tapes and transcripts are an invaluable resource to clubwomen and outside researchers alike who are looking to garner a personal account of over 100 years of GFWC’s history. While this effort was an admirable start, the project is still underway, and we need your help maintain the momentum. The oral history project is an endeavor to capture GFWC in a different scope and context than simply through archival documents. Oral histories are more intimate, and provide the ability to explore different facets of GFWC and the lives it affects. All stories and perspectives are welcome. Histories will primarily be collected over the phone. The conversations will be recorded, transcribed, and archived so records can be accessed both digitally and in paper form. Clubwomen also have the option of conducting an interview with our WHRC Manager, Alyssa Constad, or conducting the interview themselves or with a friend. If you plan on conducting the interview at home, please contact Alyssa Constad for a list of necessary materials and a list of suggested methods and questions. Our history is important and we need you to help tell it!

WHRC NEWS DECEMBER 2016

FRIENDS OF THE WHRC -- THANK YOU! We thank the following clubs and clubwomen for their generous donations in 2016. PRESIDENTIAL

GFWC Woman's Club of Maplewood BENEFACTOR

Mary Pat Marcello SPONSOR

Chris Herzog Debbie Grieder Deen Meloro GFWC Legacy Woman's Club PATRON

GFWC Arkansas GFWC California GFWC du Midi Woman's Club GFWC Grundy Woman's Club GFWC Highland Woman's Club GFWC Lamoille Woman's Club GFWC Massachusetts GFWC Oklahoma GFWC State College Woman's Club GFWC Weirton Woman's Club GFWC Woman's Club of Artesia-Cerritos GFWC Worthington Woman's Club Karen H. Morris Kathy Janssen Linda F Babeuf Margaret Milford Mary Ellen Brock Mary Jo Thomas Nancy Tabor Patty S. Whitehouse Sheila E. Shea Shirley Lawrenson GFWC Woman's Club of Raleigh SUPPORTER

Babs J. Condon Bernadine McCollum Cheryl Martin Debra Strahanoski Eleanore Rankin Evelyn Bachman GFWC Alabama North District

GFWC Georgia Seventh District GFWC Lilburn Woman's Club GFWC Nashaway Woman's Club GFWC Northboro Junior Woman's Club GFWC Tuesday Club of Columbia GFWC Virginia Northern District GFWC Varina Woman's Club GFWC Warren Junior Women's League GFWC Woman's Club of Smithfield GFWC Woman's Club of Windsor Karen Martinek Marian St.Clair Marianne Maynard Michelle Tanberg Patricia Cato Suellen Brazil FRIEND

Alicia Beam Ann Delaney Barbara Lerma Beverly Seymour Beverly Wills Carol Lopez-Lucey Cathy Cerbo Cathy Jo Bryant Cherie Byrne Cheryl A. Harrington Clydine Davis Dawn L. Himler Dawn Magden Debbie Starke Elaine Ko-Talmadge Gayle Hanna GFWC Art and Literature Club of Parkville GFWC Brunswick Woman's Club GFWC Cartersville Woman's Club GFWC Centennial Club of Western District GFWC Chesterton Woman's Club GFWC Colorado

GFWC Coytee Woman's Club GFWC Dearborn Woman's Club GFWC Dunwoody Woman's Club GFWC Fine Arts Club of Waynesboro GFWC Georgia GFWC Georgia North West District GFWC Junior Woman's Club of Westminster GFWC Keystone Club GFWC Lawrenceville Woman's Club GFWC London Bridge Woman's Club GFWC Marietta Woman's Club GFWC Mexico Women's Club GFWC Oriental Woman's Club GFWC Patrician Club GFWC Patrician Club GFWC Stuttgart Woman's Club GFWC Western Maryland Community Club GFWC Woman's Club of Essex County GFWC Woman's Club of Perry Hall GFWC Women's Club of Mingo Junction Ivous Sisk Jane W Jackson Janean Jolley Jolene Robinson Karen Gustavsen Karol Kapustka Kathleen Palermo Kay Taylor Margaret Harper Mary Ann Pierce Mary Ellen Hoffman Nancy Jones Nancy Kaufman Pamela Ament Penny Peterson Susan Martin Susette Dalton Redwine SWSC Community Projects

BECOME A FRIEND OF THE WHRC Donate to the WHRC in support of our activities and you will become a Friend of the WHRC. By joining the Friends of the WHRC, you will help the WHRC: • Preserve and maintain GFWC collections • Increase research library acquisitions • Provide student field study opportunities • Honor and support WHRC volunteers Presidential $1,000 Benefactor $500 Sponsor $250 Patron $100 Supporter $50 Friend $30 Please visit www.GFWC.org/WHRC for donor benefits. Name_____________________________________ Club______________________________________ Address___________________________________ __________________________________________ Email _____________________________________ For clubs or State Federations, please provide contact information for the president. President __________________________________ Address___________________________________ __________________________________________ Check donation status:  Individual  Club  State  Other Interested in long distance volunteer opportunities in the WHRC?  Yes  No Checks should be made payable and sent to: GFWC WHRC 1734 N Street NW Washington, DC 20036-2990 *Please note that GFWC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.