The following history of the Marion Woman’s Club written by Mrs. Nannie G. Parks was printed in booklet form in 1954 and distributed to members of the club at its latest meeting by Oldham Paisley, Daily Republican publisher, who was the speaker for the occasion.
Marion Womans’ Club 1913-1953
In the summer of 1913, a group of Marion Women saw the need of a club that would assist in making some needed civic changes in Marion. They met many times during the summer. At last, a meeting was called of the women interested, in the Methodist Church (1st United) basement, where a set of officers were elected as follow: Mrs. Anna Norris, President, Mrs. Josie Binkley, Vice President, Mrs. Mary Pillow, Recording Secretary, Mrs. Laura Belle Skaggs, Corresponding Secretary, and Mrs. Florence Dunston, Treasurer. The Calendar Committee for the first year was Mrs. Ethel T. Holland, Mrs. Jennie Hentz, Mrs. Estelle Colp and Miss Eva Young.
The name of the club was to be The Marion Woman’s Club, a departmental club with a general division and four departments: Household, Economic Development, with Mrs. Estelle Colp as chairman; Civics and enfranchisement with Miss Eva Young as chairman; Music and Art Department, Mrs. Jennie Hentz, chairman; Philanthropy Department, Mrs. Mary Davis, chairman; These officers and chairmen and the one hundred and thirty three active members set the pace for the club for years to come. (Ten members were added after the calendars were printed).
The Constitution of the club said, “The object of this club shall be united effort for the improvement of our community.”
The by-laws stated, “The membership shall not be limited: Any woman of respectable standing, eighteen years of age, who is a resident of Marion is eligible to membership; the annual dues for active members shall be fifty cents with each department dues twenty five cents, members choosing the department they liked best; No refreshments shall be provided except at social meetings.”
There were eight social meetings the first year and it was the planting of flowers in the Court House yard.
During Dr. Anna Reid’s term of office, “Tag Day” was begun to collect funds for the Philanthropy Department; later the club called it “Bundle Day” when many hundred garments and furniture and other things were collected in the City Hall for use in charitable work.
The club also aided in the organization of Red Cross and Music week. Much War Relief work was done.
During Mrs. Estelle Colp’s term of office, the student loan project was worked out and many needy students were given aid.
In Mrs. Otis Williams term of office in 1923.25, the Goddard Memorial Chapel was secured and built in Rosehill Cemetery, a gift from Mr. Leroy Goddard of Chicago, a former resident of Marion.
In 1926-27, a committee from the club with the librarian worked out a fifteen point plan for a year, to encourage the use of the library. A fifty dollar prize was offered as a National prize for the best plan. The Marion plan was selected and the money used to purchase a picture for the library—“Betsy Ross Making the Flag,” an oil print which is still hanging over the mantle in the reading room.
About this time, Christmas community carol singing was begun under the auspices of the Woman’s Club, aided by the music department of the High School. The carol singing began under the Christmas tree on the public square and extended to homes nearby.
Hundreds of Christmas baskets were distributed to needy families, clothing was also added, for those in need.
For many years, the club contributed money to the DuQuoin orphans home and the Park Ridge School for girls and later to the Bethesda home in Marion.
During the Victory Book Campaign, 2200 books were collected in the club room by the librarian and others. The books were sent to various camps and some to ships.
The club gave money and time to the making of the Braille books for the blind. When the books were finished, they were deposited in the Southern Illinois University in Carbondale for the use of the blind.
In the forty years of the life of the club, thirty four presidents have each contributed their best to the club. Today there are about 131 members. Three members of the club have been president of the 25th District of Federated Clubs; they are Mrs. F.G. Campbell, Mrs. P.R. Colp and Mrs. F.E. Parks. Several others have served on the State Board. At least two members have served on the High School Board of Marion. Two Woman’s Club members were the first women on the Board of the Marion Carnegie Library; they were Mrs. Harmon Brayfield and Mrs. R.A. Parks.
Other projects of the club are sending a girl to the music camp at DuQuoin; planting trees and shrubs around the public buildings; the betterment of motion pictures shown in Marion.
Mrs. F.E. Parks, as State Chairman of Veteran’s Service for several years has worked faithfully for the interest of veterans; helping to secure “The Haven”, a retreat for disabled veterans, a beautiful building west of the Veteran’s Hospital. She has recently been appointed from Washington, D.C., to the Advisory Board of the Veteran’s Hospital near Marion.
Mrs. Edward Longbons and Mrs. Lucille Norman have both written some very good poetry. Mrs. Paul Colp, now an associate member, has had some music published and also written a play called “The Green Parrot Club” that was given by the club members in Marion and several adjoining towns.
Of the original 133 members, five are still active in the club; Mrs. Jennie Hentz, Mrs. Fred Peebles, Mrs. L.H. Bainbridge, Mrs. R. A. Parks and Mrs. Spiller Lewis. Mrs. A.B. McLaren was a member continuously until this year when ill health caused her to retire from the club. Mrs. P.R. Colp and Miss Eva Young were also members of the club the first year who are now on the associate list. Mrs. M.W. Balance, Mrs. Charles Schwert and Miss Laura Belle Warder who were early members who resigned for a time from the club, but have again taken up active membership.
Election of officers in the club is held the first meeting in April with nominations presented by a committee. Officers and Chairmen for the present year of 1953-54 are; President, Miss Laura Belle Warder, 1st Vice President, Mrs. R.P. Wilson, 2nd Vice President, Mrs. Harry Rodd, Secretary, Mrs. Paul Childers, Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. John P. Moore, Treasurer, Mrs. N.C. Garrison, Auditor, Mrs. Charles Otey, Parlimentarian, Mrs. R.W. Boatright, Membership Chairman, Mrs. R.G. Courtney.
The Woman’s Club chorus with Mrs. Ray Evans as Chairman is seventeen members and Mrs. Ray Evans as Chairman adds greatly to the pleasure of the club by singing at many of its meetings.
Someone has stated that “The Marion Woman’s Club gets better every year.”
(Marion Daily Republican article, January 15, 1954)