Lombard Woman's Club celebrates 100 years

A lot has changed since the Lombard Woman's Club was formed on March 8, 1915.

"Women in Lombard were finding that this village of about 1,000 people did not have some of the advantages that some of their former homes had," said Past President Nancy Wilson. "They wanted better educational advantages for their children, services not provided as yet by the village and cultural opportunities for their families."

In its early years, the club supported the creation of a forest preserve and established a yearly clean up day. It helped furnish the new Lincoln School, which was built a year after the club was formed, and fashioned the first Lilac Queen crown out of old silver gathered by club members.

In the decades that followed, the club canned homegrown vegetables and fruit in the basement of Lincoln School and donated many of the goods to a food pantry.

The women also sponsored Christmas celebrations, hosted home economic shows with baked goods and art, helped hospitalized veterans, wrote to servicemen overseas and provided regular support to the library.

More than 40 people gathered at Lexington Square Senior Residence in Lombard Monday to celebrate the club's centennial anniversary. Despite all the time that has passed since the club's founding, speakers at the event provided many examples of how its original purpose still rings true.

"After 100 years, the objectives of the Lombard Woman's Club have stayed the same: improving life for those around us is still the focus of the club," said Past President Helen Jacobs.

The group's recording secretary, Joan Given, was the main organizer for the event. She has been a member since the mid-1980s.

"We are a dwindling group, as far as age is concerned, and ability to do things," she said. "I felt that it was important that it be recorded that this has been a very vibrant organization for 100 years."

Until a population boom in the 1950s and 1960s, the Woman's Club was the primary organization that provided a lot of services to the community. Over time, the village and other organizations started to take on the responsibility of providing some of those services.

"Now we have a lot of organizations that do a lot of the things we used to do," Given said. "If you look around, we're not as mobile as a lot of other people."

Village Trustee Mike Fugiel gave the club a certificate of recognition, which he read aloud at the beginning of the celebration.

"We thank you for supporting the village by promoting higher social, educational and moral conditions in the community," he said.

Members of the Lombard Service League also announced they were purchasing a memorial brick that will be installed in Lilacia Park to mark the Lombard Woman's Club's 100th anniversary.

"We are grateful for the many contributions your members have made to our community and we wish you continued success in all of your endeavors," said Service League President Barb Madigan.

Binders on display at the back of the room gave guests a glimpse at what the club was like in the past. There were recipes alongside handwritten plans for gatherings and newspaper clippings advertising fundraisers.

Social events highlighted in the historic documents included card parties, bridge marathons, pie socials, potlucks, fashion shows and luncheons with tea.

Over the years, the club has given to many local organizations, including the YMCA, the Lombard Historical Society and the Lombard-Villa Park Food Pantry.

"When you stop and think of all of the people in that time who have done things to make the world a little better place, it makes you very proud to belong to that organization," Williams said.