Arizona republican., 1922-01-01
WOMAN'S
CLUB HAS GREAT
20-YEAR RECORD
Admittedly the strongest organiza-

tion of women in the county, II not
the state, the Woman's club of Phoe-
nix has not yet celebrated it's birth
day of a quarter OF century, not
having been organized until 1900.
The first meeting was held at the
halne of Mrs. A. j. McClatchie, pio-
neer club woman, and those who met
with her and became charter mem
bers of the organization were Mrs.
b, A. Fowler Mrs. James H. Nc
Clintock, Mrs. J. w. Mccormick, Mrs
b. ". Chshman, Mrs. Claud Berry
man, Mrs. II. M. Johnson. Mrs. Mary
Diehl, Miss Julia Kimlin and Miss
Lucy 7. Ellis.
Mrs. McClatchie was the first
president of the club, which has
grown from a membership Of the
original 10 to 800 members.
Known as "The Woman's Fort
nightly Club Of Phoenix" the meet
ings held at the home Of the mem
bers were later changed to rented
down town quarters. At this time
the club had limited membership of
16, met on alternate Tuesdays, and
was study club. The first paper
was presented by the president the
subject being, History Of Civiliza-
tion. Beginning With Primitive
Man."
In 1902 the course Of study in
cluded anthropology, education, CIV
ics, art, while the following year mu-
sic was added and still later, in 1904,
home economics had place on the
club calendar.
Formed Club Chorus
Under the leadership Of Mrs. J. Ell
lott Walker, who was chairman of
the music department, a club chorus
was organized, which not only con-
tributed to club programs but gen.
erously responded when asked to ap-
pear before other clubs and organiza-
tions. The different departments, too,
showed q growth and development at
this time which has advanced from
year to year.
After it's second year Of existence
the club changed its name to the
Woman's Club Of Phoenix, by which
1t has since been known.
This same year Mrs. James II. Nc
Cnntock, one Of the charter members,
proposed a campaign for funds for a
Carnegie library. 1t was largely
through the efforts Of the club wom-
en-, led by Mrs. McClintock, that $685.
900 was raised
The year 1902 gave the club its first
opportunity to take part In legislative
work, urging the legislature to act on
a bill introducing manual training
and domestic science in the public
schools. The following year the club
advocated the establishment Of a ju-
venile court and probation system
for delinquents and while 1t has since
been active in civic affairs, endorsing
measures for the betterment OF the
community, it has never been accused
as an organization of being partisan
in politics. The approval of the club
is sought frequently by man and
measures and while no measure tend
ing toward the advancement OF state
or county has ever been passed by,
politics has been tabooed by the club.
Erected Club House
Among the early gifts to the club
was a lot on Second and Van Buren
streets presented by Mrs. Dwight B.
Heard. Later the club decided not
to build on this site, and with Mrs.
Heard's permission the property was
sold and lot purchased on First
avenue and Bennett Lane, where the
present club home is located. In 1906
the need of a permanent home was so
strongly felt that building fund was
started by contributions from club
members, which was augmented by
subscriptions from business men, In
terest on investments, proceeds Of
bazaars, entertainments and the sale
OF stocks and bonds.
In 1907 the club incorporated with
a capital stock of $4,000, divided
into 1000 shares at the par value of
SIS each. Bonds to the amount of
s5S75 were subscribed by members or
friends Of the club, and IN April, 1918,
this amount having been repaid to
the subscribers or donated by them
to the club, the bonds were burned
with appropriate ceremonies.
The value Of the lot, for which the
club paid $4,000, has greatly appre-
ciated. The building cost was $4,000
and the furnishings. including piano,
approximately $4,000.
The receipts including dues, guest
tickets and rentals usually have paid
the running expenses Of the club
house, allowing the proceeds from
stock, bazaars, entertainments, etc.
to be placed in sinking fund to be
used in the payment of bonds, the
purchase of furnishings, street paw
ing, repairs and additions.
The club house was built in 1911,
the corner stone being laid March a.,
the Rev. H. M. Campbell delivering
the invocation. Mrs r. M. Tafel,
who was club president, conducted
tie program, while Mrs. Heard pre-
sented the corner stone, slab of
granite from the Salt River Noun
tains.
The next year the club federated
and has acted as hostess to the state
federation at more than one annual
convention. The organizer of the
Womans club was also the organizer
of the state federation, and although
Mrs. McClatchie now lives in Cali
fornia, as honorary president Of the
federation she still retains an interest
in it's progress.
In many respects the president Of
the Woman's club, Mrs. Lloyd Chris
", is like the first president, Mrs
McC1atchie. She is unselfish in her
devotion to its best interests and
presides with tact and executive
ability. A harmonious executive
board is assisting her in carrying
out The club policies. It's members
include besides Mrs. Christy Mrs
Jesse F. Kelly, vice president; Mrs
c. H. Pratt. recording secretary;
Mrs. Vernon Clark. corresponding
secretary; Miss Mary Utley, treas
urer; Mrs. J, M. Harmon. auditor