Fabric of the Community / Woman ’ s Club
UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
A Century of Service
FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS , THE WOMAN ’ S CLUB OF LAGUNA BEACH HAS OFFERED OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMING TOGETHER AND GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY .
By TANYA A . YACINA
S ince 1922 , the Woman ’ s Club of Laguna Beach has successfully pursued its mission to unite women through sisterhood and friendship as well as promote enrichment through community outreach and service .
Kitty Malcolm , the organization ’ s president , explains that the first woman ’ s club was formed in 1868 as a result of a female journalist from New York who wanted to cover a dinner held by an all-male press club honoring Charles Dickens ; when she arrived , she was told women were not welcome . In response , she formed the Sorosis club for women and , 21 years later , that group brought together members of similar clubs throughout the country to form the General Federation of Women ’ s Clubs .
“ Today , this is one of the largest volunteer organizations in the world . It is an international women ’ s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others , educating communities , and expanding civil and social opportunities for women ,” Malcolm says . “ In the years between 1870 and into the 1920s , women ’ s clubs became the major vehicle by which American women could exercise their developing talents to shape the world beyond their homes .”
Although the original clubhouse was built on Forest Avenue , it was later moved to the corner of St . Ann ’ s Drive and Glenneyre Street , where it remains today . The building has played a prominent role in the organization over the years , serving as a place for meetings for Girl Scouts , the Library Board , the Community Club and the Art Association in its early days while also hosting talks over the years on Shakespeare ’ s life , Arabian culture , Sputnik and much
Kitty Malcolm , president of the Woman ’ s Club of Laguna Beach
more . Now , the group rents out its clubhouse to the public for private celebrations as well as commercial and nonprofit events .
The Woman ’ s Club has expanded since its century-old start , playing a role around town in things like the addition of the playground at Bluebird Park and the construction of South Coast Community Hospital ( now Providence Mission Hospital Laguna Beach ) as well as the creation of the Woman of the Year award , the Outgoing Mayor Luncheon and , more recently , an annual fundraiser for Laguna Food Pantry .
“ Our success is in how we respond to the growing and evolving needs of our members and our place as an organization in the community ,” she says . “ As women ’ s roles , career paths and desire to participate in philanthropic activities have significantly changed over the years , we are constantly growing and evolving as well to meet those needs by listening to our members .”
CLARA BEARD / LAGUNA BEACH INDEPENDENT
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