Elgin Woman's Club celebrates 135th anniversary with exhibit opening March 27
The Elgin Woman's Club will honor its successful journey of 135 years of community service and development with the unveiling of a yearlong exhibit and display of the organization's history at the Elgin History Museum.
This kickoff event, which is open to the public, features a free informal reception with light refreshments. It will be held Sunday, March 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the museum, 360 Park St. in Elgin.
Local Elgin historian Jerry Turnquist will provide a short presentation honoring the amazing strength of Elgin women including the historical founders of the Elgin Woman's Club in 1887 when the population of the city was about 14,000.
A second more detailed presentation by Turnquist on the Elgin Woman's Club will be held later this summer on July 23, 2022, also at the Elgin History Museum.
"We are pleased to bring the wonderful history and accomplishments of the Elgin Woman's Club to our community's awareness this year," said Rita Corbett, president of the club. "Our club's organization was the start of a woman's movement in Elgin as the members became deeply involved in volunteerism and community service. Our primary legacy is that the Elgin Woman's Club is the proud founder of Sherman Hospital in 1888 and continued to manage and operate the facilities for over 50 years."
The Elgin Woman's Club has a rich history from its founders to its present membership that continues to provide arts and education annual scholarships which began in 1920.
The Elgin Woman's Club accomplishments have been vast over its 135-year history, some of which include a nurse training school (1896) and the Sherman Hospital Auxiliary (1945). In 1887, it provided Elgin Academy with a new heating system. In 1909, it was instrumental in providing free garbage pickup to Elgin residents plus spearheading city beautification and tree planting.
Members of the Elgin Woman's Club "135th Anniversary Celebration" committee are: Rita Corbett, president; Betty Brown, past president (1974-76); Linda Fagan; Audrey Gilbert; Joy Jensen; and Janice Kane.
For more information, email Corbett at rjccons2@att.net or call (630) 240-2192.