Wilmette Public Library Local History Digital Collection

Woman's Club founded in Village's 19th Year: Miss Law founded group in 1891; Mrs. Herbert G. Leonard first President

Publication: Wilmette Life, 18 Sep 1947, 75th anniversary supplement, p. 1, 117, 118

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Wilmette Life, 18 Sep 1947, 75th anniversary supplement, p. 1, 117, 118

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The Woman's Club of Wilmette celebrated its 55th anniversary on November 6, 1946. Description of the early years of the organization. The organization was founded by Miss Ida I. Law and her sister Miss Anna E. Law in 1892. The first president was Mrs. Herbert G. Leonard, wife of the Methodist minister. Serving with the president was Miss Janie Furman, secretary-treasurer. The first charity work of the club under the direction of Mrs. Lewis B. Springer and Mrs. F.L. Joy was to furnish a room at the Model Lodging house in Chicago, now known as the Sarah Hackett Stevenson Home. The club also made a gift of a fountain at the intersection of Wilmette and Central Avenues to supply "both man and beast." The club which was incorporated in 1906, moved to 1152 Central Avenue in the fall of 1896. Later they moved to Jones Hall on Wilmette Avenue, then to the Ouilmette Country Club where the Michigan Shores Club now stands. A building committee, headed by Mrs. Fitz Randolph, was appointed in the spring of 1910. Mrs. William Freeman donated a lot on the northeast corner of Greenleaf avenue and Tenth street in memory of her mother, Mrs. Orrea Lansingh. The Women's Club opened the resale Economy Shop in 1918 under the organization of Mrs. R.W. Jordan. The Club Bulletin began publication in 1922. The first Home Exposition was launched in the spring of 1929 under the chairmanship of Mrs. O.E. Thaleg. Mrs. Arthur J. Dixon later took over the management of this fundraising project. Ground was broken April 24, 1929, for an addition to the original clubhouse. Mrs. Harvey A. Bush was clubg president at this time and Mrs. Frank Scheidenhelm was chairman of the building committee. The new clubhouse was opened in October 1929. In 1933 the club became a member of the Drama league. The club operated a Red Cross production unit from 1939 to 1946 under the chairmanship of Mrs. Philip L. Edwards. In 1940 Mrs. R.E.P. Kline was appointed chairman of a committee to select three pioneer women according to the classification of the General Federation [of Women's Clubs]. Selected were Mrs. Henry B. Gates [longest continuous membership], Mrs. Arthur J. Dixon [greatest number of offices], and Miss Ida Law [woman no longer living with the longest continuous service] Miss Law died in Springfield, Missouri in 1923]. Mrs. George B. Williams was club president at the time of the presention of these awards. The Golden Jubilee was November 4, 1941. The celebration included a pagent written by Mrs. James A. Burrill. The 55th anniversary was held in 1946 presided over by Mrs. Walter N. Sutherland. Mrs. Herbert G. Leonard of St. Paul, Minnesota was honored. Mrs. Leonard's daughter, Louise Leonard Wright (Mrs. Quincy Wright) was the speaker. At this meeting members honored 102 women who had been longterm members of the club. In addition to Mrs. Leonard, Miss Annie W. Dingee of San Diego, California, had been a member for 55 years. Three women, Mrs. John A. MacLean, Mrs. F. J. Scheidenhelm, and Mrs. John Segsworth, had been members for 50 years. Mrs. J.M. Brown had been a member for 51 years. The present president of the club is Mrs. W. Whitaker Baer who took office in April 1947 to succeed Mrs. Sutherland

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