Collection open for research.
Physical characteristics and conditions affect use of this material. Photocopying of fragile items not permitted.
The Woman's Club of Loudoun, Inc. (M 024), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.
The Woman's Club of Loudoun, Inc., Loudoun County, VA
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2004.0086, 2012.0104
Processed by Stephanie Adams Hunter, 10 Oct 2006; updated by Elizabeth E. Preston, 8 August 2012.
A group of thirteen women met on 19 Jul 1944 at the home of Mrs. J. Shenton (Frances Billings) Lodge (ca. 1894) to discuss forming a club and joining the Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs (hereafter VFWC). VFWC, founded in 1907, served as a way to connect women's clubs in the state so that members could draw on one another's experience and promote civic works. The attendees of the first meeting worked with the VFWC to establish the club's objectives and structure.
The first meeting of The Woman's Club of Loudoun took place on 9 Sep 1944, and 55 women joined. A Board of Governors was appointed, and Mrs. Lodge elected as the club's first president. Acceptance of The Loudoun Woman's Club into the VFWC was announced at a meeting held 4 Nov 1944. In 1946, the club adopted the iris as its flower, and purple and gold as the club's colors. The club was incorporated in 1948. The Woman's Club of Loudoun, Inc. sponsored the creation of Junior Woman's Club of Loudoun in 1950, and over the years included it in activities and fundraisers. Membership in The Woman's Club peaked in 1954 at 142 and declined in the following decades. However, in 2004 the club was recognized at the District Meeting for its recruiting efforts, with a membership standing at 59.
The club created seven departments to guide their activities: American Home, Fine Arts, Education, Citizenship, Welfare, War Service, and Red Cross. Over time some departments were added or eliminated, reflecting the changing interests of the club. Department chairmen developed a variety of programs and invited speakers to come to club events. Speakers ranged from a representative from the Norwegian Embassy to Luther H. Evans, Librarian of Congress. While many programs were for club members only, other events included guests and spouses, such as the annual picnic. Four committees were also formed at the first meeting: Hospitality, Publicity, Membership, and Registrar.
From the beginning, the arts were a strong area of interest. A music committee was established early in the history of the club, and music was an important part of its activities and programs. Programs included performances and talks by club members, as well as guest artists. The Arts Department sponsored art and writing contests in the local schools from 1945 through the 1960's, presenting awards at their annual meeting. Club members entered their own work in contests at the district meeting, which sent winners to the VFWC annual meetings. Local contests were started in 1969. The Arts Department also held workshops, organized tours, and brought in speakers.
In addition to enrichment activities for members, the club has lent support to the community. Overseen by the Ways and Means Committee, the club engaged in a variety of fundraising activities, such as card parties, fashion shows, bake sales and rummage sales to finance civic projects. From early on education and youth welfare have been of great interest to the club. The Education Department created a Student Loan Fund in 1945, intended to help students who wanted to have a teaching career. Other areas of interest include health and welfare, conservation, and community improvement projects.
The collection contains the records of The Woman's Club of Loudoun, Inc. It includes histories, minutes, financial records, newsletters, and scrapbooks. There is a small amount of correspondence and some publications, both club produced and from other organizations.
Club histories were originally kept in three-ring binders, and have been filed in parts due to size. Minutes include board and general meetings. Some volumes contained inserted material such as correspondence, programs, and financial reports. Minutes were also originally in three-ring binders, and because of size have been broken down into smaller parts for filing. The 1986-1990 minutes, unlike others, were arranged in reverse chronological order. The 1996-2000 minutes include treasurer's and annual reports. There is also a duplicate set of minutes kept by Mrs. Arthur S. (Pearl Shreve) Jenkins (24 Sep 1891-14 Jul 1978), president from 1948-1951. These contain many inserts such as correspondence, notes, and newspaper clippings.
The collection also contains six scrapbooks. Two are scrapbooks put together by club presidents, which include photographs, cards, mementos, programs, and newspaper clippings. Four additional Club Scrapbooks contain correspondence, clippings, and reports. Two of these books are in very fragile condition.
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Northington, Etta Belle Walker.