Glen Ellyn Woman's Club celebrates 120 years
It is autumn 1895 in the beautiful, little village of Glen Ellyn with a population of 600.
There are hills and dales, gardens and orchards, and a clear, sparkling lake just outside of the village. A few stores supply the simple needs of the village people.
A group of nine women meet on that autumn day to discuss plans to form the Glen Ellyn Study Club, later to be known as the Glen Ellyn Woman's Club.
Who could have seen into the future the influence and accomplishments of this group of women through 120 years?
The Glen Ellyn Woman's Club began a movement to establish a library at a cost of $10,000. It opened Sept. 4, 1914. Alice Barr was the first librarian, and Mrs. Francis Hooper was the president of the first library board. The Glen Ellyn Woman's Club raised funds to furnish the library.
Members worked hard to improve the school system and organized the PTA. School playgrounds were club projects.
The women urged improvements in the North Western and Aurora train station's restrooms and better sanitary conditions. They were very active in the efforts in both World Wars.
In 1968, two members of the club helped originate the Glen Ellyn Historical Society and the club would provide all the furnishing for the ladies bedroom at Stacy's Tavern.
At many different times, club members have planted trees in the village and provided a monument on Arbor Day 1986 to mark the graves of Frank Johnson and his wife in the local cemetery.
Members were civic-minded and influential, so they either began a movement or were asked to cooperate when something of value to the village was needed
Over the years, the women have collected food for the two food pantries and socks for PADS; canceled stamps for the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart to sell to provide food for neglected children in Brazil; collected prescription bottles for the Northwest Christian Mission in Haiti and greeting cards for inmates; made favors for the Convalescent Home; and packed food for Feed My Starving children.
New ideas have been tried for fundraising. In addition to the club's Christmas Festival luncheon and silent auction, the women have had Victorian teas, bingo bash, nonevent teas and a rummage sale.
They have sold Carson Community coupons, and fund scholarships for Glenbard West and Glenbard South high schools. The club's latest project is selling Scrip gift cards.
Many women in Glen Ellyn and the surrounding towns have been a part of this club for many years. Members have enjoyed and learned much from informative programs. Those original few women who met 120 years ago and began what became the Glen Ellyn Woman's Club probably never dreamed of the impact the club would have on the village.