Palo Alto Woman's Club: History

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Highlights of the Club's history provide insights to the development of our community and advances for women and children in our society. The members have been pioneers in their fields and often used the organization's activities to enlighten and enliven Palo Alto.

1890s

On June 20, 1894, 24 women gathered at the old Presbyterian Church to formally organize the Palo Alto Woman's Club.
Mary Grafton Campbell was elected President, Ms. M.B. Culver, Vice President, Cora Warner, Secretary.
On Sept. 17, 1897, when club membership had risen to 110, President Campbell said "Men form clubs for relaxation and recreation - women for concerted work. But this very work, so different from their home work, is both solace and recreation; if we pronounce it recreation, we describe what it does for women."
They helped found PA's first elementary school in 1893, (largely through the efforts of member, Anna Zschokke who also personally purchased a building at Webster and Channing for PA's first high school.
They established "The Friendly Wood Yard" to provide jobs for unemployed transients in 1894.
They twice proposed, in 1895 and in 1899 - that the City trustees place a Sewer Bond Issue before the voters.
Club members founded the City's first reading room in 1896 and its first lending library in 1898.

1900s

Julia Gilbert,WC Pres. from 1902-03 spearheaded the lending library project. When it was dedicated to the city trustees on Oct. 1, 1902, it contained over 2,300 volumes and had cost the WC $3,387.00 to create.
They beautified the City streets and the railroad station through tree purchases, planting, watering, and pruning.
The Club's Village Improvement Committee had full power to recommend park locations and landscaping and held town clean-up days.
1904, the WC of PA was incorporated and started a "lot fund."
They promoted school gardens, secured lunch and rest rooms for girls at the high school.
During the 1903 cholera epidemic, the 1906 earthquake, and during the 2 World Wars, they aided victims and worked with service men and their families.
1906- the Club purchased a lot for $1,125.00 dollars at the corner of Homer and Cowper.
In 1909, the Club nominated Mrs. C.L. Place for the Board of School Trustees, the first PA woman elected to any PA office.

1910s

California women got the vote in 1911 - a cause for which Club women had fought.
Once enfranchised, they taught members about important local and state issues and how to organize in order to affect voting on issues.
The Club raised funds through receptions, food markets, costume parties, notable speakers such as Helen Keller.
They published two books, The Santa Clara Valley and a Woman's Club Cook Book.
In 1916, the Tudor-Craftsman style Clubhouse was completed at a cost of $10,590.00. There was a 500 person house-warming on Sept. 20, 1916.
In 1919, the Club endorsed the first two successful female candidates for City Council.

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

There were two full membership meetings a month; the first a business Meeting and the other a program meeting with about 35 in attendance.
Key activities were bridge and a book review group.
Money was donated to veterans' groups and redwood tree planting.
The Club was active in the district federation of women's clubs.
Mrs. Boots Gould, President, prevailed over a faction of the Club who wanted to sell the Clubhouse to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
After the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake the Club sent money and supplies to Watsonville which had been hard hit.

1990s

Club membership increased throughout the decade.
Member Diane Claerbout wrote a Centennial play presented by and to Club members about the Club's history.
Club activities expanded: a history committee was formed, the building was renovated and landscaped, Tuesday night socials, a book club and an investment club were added.
Luncheon Committee volunteers hosted monthly events
A Wine Tasting with hors d'oeuvres, the first coed evening event in a long time was successfully introduced.

2000s

We now have full membership and a waiting list in 2005
Started the current Philanthropy commitee
Revitalized the luncheon programs and evening events