By Pat Lawrence
The Woman’s Club of Charleston clubhouse. |
At the turn of last century, the traditional view of womanhood limited
women's professional options, but it didn’t stop them from gathering
for self-improvement or from fighting to change the conscience and
policies of the country. Women couldn’t vote but they petitioned
men to pass laws for prohibition and suffrage. They lobbied for libraries,
literacy, education, and peace. They discussed literature and philosophy.
They learned to organize and work together; manage money and a wide
range of projects, and, make a difference in society.
In Charleston, a club for women was first organized in 1909. Meetings
were held in the ladies’ residences. Besides their interest
in home and family, the clubwomen were social activists. They spoke
out for peace, supported federal aid for education; endorsed the creation
of a Bureau of National Parks; promoted good roads; developed projects
of community improvement, supported drug and alcohol abuse programs,
disapproved of women or children smoking and pushed for the creation
of the federal women's prison at Alderson, WV, opened in 1928.
When membership grew to over 30, the group began meeting at the Kanawha
Hotel. By 1920, with over 300 members, the women agreed it was time
for a place of their own. So, in 1922, the Woman’s Club of Charleston
bought a lot at the corner of Virginia and Elizabeth Streets for $16,000.
They hired an architect to design a clubhouse especially for their
activities. The French Chateau styled clubhouse cost $33,000 to build.
It was dedicated in March of 1929.
Although the club was founded to foster self-education and the exchange
of ideas, the emphasis expanded to reform activity and community service,
greatly needed during the depression years. The GFWC has a distinguished
record of activity on issues of historical importance. They were forerunners
in the early conservation movement and instrumental in the establishment
of a national model for juvenile courts. Members worked for passage
of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1913, and supported legislation for
the eight-hour workday and the first child labor law. As early as
1944, the group endorsed a resolution supporting equal rights and
responsibilities for women.
In Charleston, GFWC’s areas of activity include the arts, conservation,
education, home life, international affairs, and public affairs, as
well as special projects. Each year they raise money for scholarships
and to support non-profit organizations like Sojourners and the Pearl
S. Buck Foundation.
The Clubhouse is listed on the National Historic Register and in the
East End Historic Preservation Area. Emma Lou Swanson is the current
president of the Woman’s Club of Charleston. She says the club
remains as practical and welcoming as the founders intended. “We
recently completed some repairs and electrical upgrades, thanks to
a Governor’s Partnership grant. Our general membership meets
once a month, we have committee meetings, board meetings and department
meetings each month and on the third Wednesday, we have a social Brunch,
Bridge and Bingo.”
Mrs. Swanson says that clubhouse rental for special events like weddings,
receptions, reunions and birthdays help defray some of their historic
home’s operating and maintenance costs. “The club capacity
is 250 guests. Our members staff the occasion and we contract for
the clean up.”
She says their members range from late 20’s to late 90’s.
“Our oldest member, Elizabeth McDavid, is 99 and still does
hospital volunteer work.” Woman’s club membership may
promote longevity. “We have several past presidents in their
90’s. They may miss a meeting sometimes, but they try not to
miss the bridge game!”
The Charleston club is part of one of the largest volunteer organizations
for women in the world - GFWC currently has 6,500 clubs around the
United States, and more than a million members worldwide. Emma Lou
Swanson joins impressive company in her volunteer activity. Julia
Ward Howe, author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic and founder of
the American Woman’s Suffrage Association, was a GFWC member.
Eleanor Roosevelt was an active member of a Woman’s Club in
New York, and maintained strong ties with the Federation throughout
her years as First Lady.
Mrs. Swanson, assistant to the President of the WV Hospital Association
for 16 years and executive secretary to the Speaker of the House before
that, has spent 45 years in office management. Although she’s
been a Woman’s Club member since 1984, she’s gotten more
active since her retirement. She says her presidency has been “a
wonderful transition from the work world. I still see people, and
have plenty to keep me busy.
And, like all of our 175 members, I am part owner of this beautiful
historic clubhouse and I get to enjoy it all the time.”
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