Elgin Woman's Club celebrates its legacy and impact in Elgin
Fifty special guests and community members joined members of the Elgin Woman's Club for their 135th anniversary celebration at the Elgin History Museum July 23.
The afternoon began with remarks by club president Rita Corbett and club members Linda Fagan, a longtime nurse at Advocate Sherman Hospital; Joy Jensen, retired Advocate Sherman Hospital marketing and public relations administrator; and past president Betty Brown.
To set the tone for the importance of the occasion, distinguished guests, such as Elgin Mayor David Kaptain and Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley, congratulated the Elgin Woman's Club and its significant position in the city's history.
Mayor Kaptain noted, "It is important that we remember those who brought us here and what they have done to make this city great," he said. Chief Lalley agreed, saying, "It is an honor to be here and support women and show how awesome they are. I echo what has been said before me that we should remember and honor those before us. Let us support both men and women and thank the women who came behind us."
Local Elgin historian Jerry Turnquist provided an insightful presentation, "Elgin Woman's Club - Touching Elgin's Lives Everywhere" to document the tremendous impact the club has had on residents of the Elgin area. "Through the efforts of these women many years ago, they were the founders of Sherman Hospital and ran the hospital until 1945. It was the largest hospital in the United States operated by a woman's club."
Representing Advocate Sherman Hospital were administrative assistant Twila Williams and Donna Kruse, director of inpatient acute nursing, magnet, and professional development.
"We couldn't be here if it was not for the Elgin Woman's Club," Kruse said. "We achieved our magnet status in 2012, which is the highest standard of nursing and quality care. Thank you, Elgin Woman's Club."
Other noted guests who attended the Elgin Woman's Club 135th Anniversary celebration were: state Rep. Anna Moeller (43rd District), and Hannah Cook, representing state Rep. Suzanne Ness (66th District).
To close the program, Al Walters, president of the Elgin History Museum, asked the audience to join him in a toast to the Elgin Woman's Club. Guests then mingled and networked sharing stories and memories while enjoying delicious sweet treats and refreshments.
There was a surprising moment during the event.
A beautiful embroidered linen tea cloth was on display, which includes 668 embroidered Elgin Woman's Club member names from 1887-1957. Brown found her name inscribed on the tea cloth. "Members at the time were always designated by their husband's name," Brown said. "My name is shown as Mrs. Floyd E. Brown and I am the last living person from the club whose name is on this beautiful tablecloth."
Elgin Woman's Club members were invited to send their autographs with $1 to its Ways and Means Committee, who were in process of creating a 70th anniversary Tea Cloth. Oyster-white Irish linen was used; the autographs were embroidered in ecru and the panels were joined with over 40 yards of hemstitching. It might be said to be an "international cloth" with linen from Ireland, special thread for the Italian hemstitching from Paris, and the lace edging, which was handmade by member Mrs. Oehler's cousin in Sweden. Members of the Ways and Means Committee of the Elgin Woman's Club embroidered the hundreds of autographs displayed. The historic embroidered tablecloth has been donated to the Elgin History Museum for safekeeping and posterity.
A display of historical artifacts remain on display at the Elgin History Museum until the end of 2022.
Members of the Elgin Woman's Club's "135th Anniversary Celebration" committee are: Betty Brown, Rita Corbett, Linda Fagan, Audrey Gilbert, Joy Jensen, and Janice Kane.
For information, email Rita Corbett at rjccons2@att.net or call (630) 240-2192.