Monday, January 10, 2011

Woman's Club of Racine, Leader in the Development of the Racine Public Library, Disbands After 114 Years


Link to Racine Public Library history

Link to January 7 Racine Journal-Times article, "114 years of Woman's Club items up for sale".

Excerpt: Four years had passed since anyone with the qualifications and willingness to be accountable stepped forward to serve as president, according to two members of the advisory committee that ran the organization during that time.

"We just couldn't get anybody to take the reins," said Catherine Anderson, who along with Maureen Miller served multiple terms as president in the group's later years.

Officially formed in 1896, the Woman's Club spearheaded the creation and development of the Racine Public Library. Through the years it ran a variety of programs, including vision screening for children, and supported many others.   
[Emphasis added.  Local women's clubs often provided the impetus for public library development.]

"It was a very vibrant organization for years," said Anderson, who joined more than 30 years ago to meet people and to contribute to the community.

But membership that had once been several hundred strong dwindled to less than 50. The dissolved group's leaders figure younger generations simply have other priorities, yet Miller notes that other cities continue to support similar clubs.

No comments: