Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-03-12
COMMUNICATED

Editor Pilot:
For some time past there has been
a growing desire among many of the
members of the Ladies' Literary club
for change of name, and that the
club shall be known hereafter as the
Woman's Club of Wausau. They argue
that the present name is not modern
or up-to-date; that we are the only
club in the federation that is not
called a Woman's Club; that delegates
of late have felt ashamed of the old
fashioned name when representing
the club at conventions, and that the
present name is an obstacle with
new people coming to Wausau, who
wish to join womans club and find
nothing but Ladies' Literary club.
AT a recent general meeting the
club voted to amend the constitution
for the purpose of changing the name
of the club and committee was ap-
pointed to suggest an amendment
Now do we really understand what
a change of name will mean? The
Ladies' Literary club of Wausau has
been in existence for forty-one years.
1t is the second oldest organization
of its kind in the state. 1t is charter
member of the state federation
and member of the national
federation as well-and care
full survey will reveal that there
are many clubs in both fedora
tions that are not called Woman's
Clubs-Through all these years the
Ladies Literary club has sent dele
gates to conventions and federations
and these delegates have always oc-
cupied important positions and no one
has ever had cause to blush for repre-
senting it's name. The members from
time to time have served on state
committees and different boards and
the club has made a name for itself
in the state. In Wausau it has been
the promoter of successful projects
and has stood behind every movement
which argued for the advancement and
good of the city. "The Ladies' Liter
ary club" is as much part of Wau-
sau as the city council or the school
board, and its name is a household
word
Changing the name of the club, we
are advised, means that the Ladies
Literary club will cease to exist; put
to death by its members! And a
Woman's Club will be organized on {.
new basis. 1t will have no place in
the state or national federation, but
will simply rank as a new Womans
club, among dozens of others. 1t can
not take the place of the old club.
Changing the name of the club
means also that we are doing it in
direct opposition to the older mem
bers' wishes. The founders have ex-
pressed a wish to retain the old name
This is partly through sentiment and
a feeling too that the club with its
name has made a place for itself,
which no other name can justify This
in itself should be enough. We realize
that this is an age without sentiment;
but lack of sentiment need not deter
us from respecting the wishes of those
older members to whom we owe the
birth and being of the club.
Now, there is a way out of the
difficulty and it is this: Why not or
ganiZe a Woman's club and still al
low the Ladies' Literary club to live
on and prosper. The city is large
enough for two existing clubs and
Woman's club would undoubtedly
bring in members from among
those women of our city who
as yet are not club women, there
by making us stronger element than
ever before, in club life and club
work. A membership in both clubs
would doubtless follow with many and
the spirit of friendly rivalry that
might exist would urge us on to great
er endeavor; or we can cooperate
and accomplish much.
And so let us have Woman's club
in our midst and still allow the Ladies
Literary club to live for longer time.
1t is an old land mark, which should
never be obliterated. A MEMBER.