About the Wednesday Club Historical Society
|
The Wednesday Club was established in 1911 by women of the Suisun, Ca vicinity for fellowship, socializing, and dedication to bettering their community. Today the Wednesday Club Historical Group, Inc., a subsidiary of the Wednesday Club, is a non-profit women's organization that follows the guidelines of the original founders. We are dedicated to the advancement of the welfare of the community and promoting the educational, cultural, and social interests of its members. The building is a designated National Historic Place, EIN: 94-6092972. Our building is maintained by our rentals and fundraising efforts of our members. We use our funds to maintain our lovely building and support various foundations, including the Leaven, CASA, Meals on Wheels, Homeless Teens of Solano County. We also grant scholarships to students furthering their education in music, fine arts, and nursing. |
An Over One Hundred Year History of The Wednesday Club
On September 11, 1911, sixteen women got together to create an organization that would help advance women’s rights, explore literary and philosophical issues and help their community. November 11, 1911 was their first meeting, and by November 15, 1911, 106 women had signed the charter that created the Wednesday Club of Suisun.
From the beginning, the club was a venue for educational, social and service activities. For the first four years the women met at the old Armijo School Hall, and heard lectures on a variety of subjects or listened to musical programs. They hosted a variety of social events, with and without their husbands. They also worked to enrich their communities. In a time when women could not vote and had little political voice, they banded together to write letters and advocate for bills that would help their neighborhoods. Among others, they worked to pass the Physical Education Bill for elementary and high school students and protested against forced military training in schools.
In 1915, the Wednesday Club purchased their first clubhouse close to the railroad tracks in Suisun. It proved too noisy, and they had the building moved to another lot, where they stayed until 1926.
During World War I, the Wednesday club partnered with the Red Cross to roll bandages, provide other supplies for the troops and helped on the home front. They also advocated for suffrage, wanting to be able to vote on the issues facing the Unites States.
When the 19th amendment was signed, women of the club signed up new voters and began to work with politicians in earnest. They supported the League of Nations, Save the Redwoods, Child Welfare and Care of Patients Bills, among others. Locally, the ladies petitioned for a Free Branch Library in Suisun, and donated money towards its furnishings and books. They advocated for a Junior College, promoted placement of historical markers, and raised funds for the Chief Solano statue. The clubhouse was used as a well-baby and inoculation clinic. They also had time for parties, teas, dances and playing bridge, all of which were fundraising activities for the children and youth that the organization supported.
In 1922, a lot in Suisun was deeded to the club for a new building. Construction began and the building was finished in 1926, and the ladies moved to their new home, where they remain today. The Wednesday Club became the site for many concerts, musicals, dramas and lighthearted skits.
During the depression years, the Wednesday Club was busy gathering food and clothing for the needy. They supported the Social Security and Supreme Court plans, and entertained politicians to learn about the issues of the day.
As World War II began, the ladies once again turned to help the Red Cross. They volunteered the building for blood drives, for the USO to hold monthly events and created a canteen for service men and women. They knitted sweaters, made bags for the Army, and volunteered at hospitals. As the war ended, the club was the community headquarters for the National clothing drive for war-torn Europe. During this time social events were at a minimum.
Post World War II, the women advocated for the Solano County Project for irrigation water. As the 1950’s moved on the city and county offices took over many of the club’s civic duties. The goals of the club became more focused on fundraising and volunteerism with continuing efforts toward cultural and educational programs. The women raised and donated money to the building of the Intercommunity Hospital, whch today is North Bay Medical Center, invited speakers on many social issues and contributed to the Polio Fund.
Today the women of the Wednesday Club continue the tradition started by those ladies 100 years ago. They enjoy luncheons, musical programs, and fundraising to fund their various charities as well as pay for repairs to the building. They serve their community by fundraising for, and donating to such projects as the Leaven, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), VOICES (Voices Youth, for aged/termed out former foster youth) and Autumn Leaves, ladies who knit scarves and hats for the CASA children. We have recently become involved with Meals on Wheels, donating scarves, hats and gloves for Christmas for our senior citizens. We will be assisting Meals on Wheels whenever they have a need we can fill.
They still enjoy luncheons and musical programs, which are often times turned into fundraising events to assist in paying for repairs to the building.
Our members donate hundreds of volunteer hours both to our club and throughout the community during the year.
One member recalls her volunteer time with the Leaven:
"In 2008, when I first became involved with the Leaven, I quickly learned that the new curriculum, new math, etc. was a challenge for me. Though I helped the Leaven kids with their homework and reading, my forte was more of a mentor, advocate, “Grandma”. Caroline's and my first project was a Christmas shop, where the W.C. ladies provided gifts for moms and dads and the children “shopped” for a Christmasmas gift for their parents. This event taught the children the act of giving and continued for several years. In 2010, I started Acrobatic classes each week, after their homework was done. A couple of years later, Country Line Dance Classes followed. The kids loved the classes, which offered physical activity, exposure to new experiences, and a break from their long school day."
Though there have been many success stories at the Leaven-- two 5th grade students come to mind as very special. They were both awarded a “Mini - $100 W.C. Scholarship “as they graduated from the Leaven, in 2019. Brandon, who worked diligently to be accepted to a private school, (Once there, prayed to keep up with the other students) ended up with a 3.9 GPA (That’s almost straight A’s), Miriam, had a language barrier and many difficulties in school. However, after 3 semesters at the Leaven, with the help of the tutors and much determination, she raised her grades considerably-- with one class going from an F grade to an A. + How proud we all were!
For 13 years, every Thursday morning I’ve baked treats for the 25-plus students I helped tutor that afternoon, throughout the school year. (The Groves Leaven site always balanced the sweets with exercise time.)
Now, at eighty years of age, I have many memories, but the one that stands out most in my mind is the kids saying each week, “Ms., Jackie, what did you bake for us today?” They appreciate everything we do for them, -- tutoring, special classes, music, sports, art, games, financial gifts from the W.C., but mostly, they appreciate that we truly care about them and want them to succeed.
~ Jackie Mulhern 2/21/21
The Wednesday Club members meet at least nine times per year and plan fundraising activities like the annual Pancake breakfast, Crab feed, and Fashion show to raise money for our commitments to our charities and building repairs.
From the beginning, the club was a venue for educational, social and service activities. For the first four years the women met at the old Armijo School Hall, and heard lectures on a variety of subjects or listened to musical programs. They hosted a variety of social events, with and without their husbands. They also worked to enrich their communities. In a time when women could not vote and had little political voice, they banded together to write letters and advocate for bills that would help their neighborhoods. Among others, they worked to pass the Physical Education Bill for elementary and high school students and protested against forced military training in schools.
In 1915, the Wednesday Club purchased their first clubhouse close to the railroad tracks in Suisun. It proved too noisy, and they had the building moved to another lot, where they stayed until 1926.
During World War I, the Wednesday club partnered with the Red Cross to roll bandages, provide other supplies for the troops and helped on the home front. They also advocated for suffrage, wanting to be able to vote on the issues facing the Unites States.
When the 19th amendment was signed, women of the club signed up new voters and began to work with politicians in earnest. They supported the League of Nations, Save the Redwoods, Child Welfare and Care of Patients Bills, among others. Locally, the ladies petitioned for a Free Branch Library in Suisun, and donated money towards its furnishings and books. They advocated for a Junior College, promoted placement of historical markers, and raised funds for the Chief Solano statue. The clubhouse was used as a well-baby and inoculation clinic. They also had time for parties, teas, dances and playing bridge, all of which were fundraising activities for the children and youth that the organization supported.
In 1922, a lot in Suisun was deeded to the club for a new building. Construction began and the building was finished in 1926, and the ladies moved to their new home, where they remain today. The Wednesday Club became the site for many concerts, musicals, dramas and lighthearted skits.
During the depression years, the Wednesday Club was busy gathering food and clothing for the needy. They supported the Social Security and Supreme Court plans, and entertained politicians to learn about the issues of the day.
As World War II began, the ladies once again turned to help the Red Cross. They volunteered the building for blood drives, for the USO to hold monthly events and created a canteen for service men and women. They knitted sweaters, made bags for the Army, and volunteered at hospitals. As the war ended, the club was the community headquarters for the National clothing drive for war-torn Europe. During this time social events were at a minimum.
Post World War II, the women advocated for the Solano County Project for irrigation water. As the 1950’s moved on the city and county offices took over many of the club’s civic duties. The goals of the club became more focused on fundraising and volunteerism with continuing efforts toward cultural and educational programs. The women raised and donated money to the building of the Intercommunity Hospital, whch today is North Bay Medical Center, invited speakers on many social issues and contributed to the Polio Fund.
Today the women of the Wednesday Club continue the tradition started by those ladies 100 years ago. They enjoy luncheons, musical programs, and fundraising to fund their various charities as well as pay for repairs to the building. They serve their community by fundraising for, and donating to such projects as the Leaven, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), VOICES (Voices Youth, for aged/termed out former foster youth) and Autumn Leaves, ladies who knit scarves and hats for the CASA children. We have recently become involved with Meals on Wheels, donating scarves, hats and gloves for Christmas for our senior citizens. We will be assisting Meals on Wheels whenever they have a need we can fill.
They still enjoy luncheons and musical programs, which are often times turned into fundraising events to assist in paying for repairs to the building.
Our members donate hundreds of volunteer hours both to our club and throughout the community during the year.
One member recalls her volunteer time with the Leaven:
"In 2008, when I first became involved with the Leaven, I quickly learned that the new curriculum, new math, etc. was a challenge for me. Though I helped the Leaven kids with their homework and reading, my forte was more of a mentor, advocate, “Grandma”. Caroline's and my first project was a Christmas shop, where the W.C. ladies provided gifts for moms and dads and the children “shopped” for a Christmasmas gift for their parents. This event taught the children the act of giving and continued for several years. In 2010, I started Acrobatic classes each week, after their homework was done. A couple of years later, Country Line Dance Classes followed. The kids loved the classes, which offered physical activity, exposure to new experiences, and a break from their long school day."
Though there have been many success stories at the Leaven-- two 5th grade students come to mind as very special. They were both awarded a “Mini - $100 W.C. Scholarship “as they graduated from the Leaven, in 2019. Brandon, who worked diligently to be accepted to a private school, (Once there, prayed to keep up with the other students) ended up with a 3.9 GPA (That’s almost straight A’s), Miriam, had a language barrier and many difficulties in school. However, after 3 semesters at the Leaven, with the help of the tutors and much determination, she raised her grades considerably-- with one class going from an F grade to an A. + How proud we all were!
For 13 years, every Thursday morning I’ve baked treats for the 25-plus students I helped tutor that afternoon, throughout the school year. (The Groves Leaven site always balanced the sweets with exercise time.)
Now, at eighty years of age, I have many memories, but the one that stands out most in my mind is the kids saying each week, “Ms., Jackie, what did you bake for us today?” They appreciate everything we do for them, -- tutoring, special classes, music, sports, art, games, financial gifts from the W.C., but mostly, they appreciate that we truly care about them and want them to succeed.
~ Jackie Mulhern 2/21/21
The Wednesday Club members meet at least nine times per year and plan fundraising activities like the annual Pancake breakfast, Crab feed, and Fashion show to raise money for our commitments to our charities and building repairs.
Scholarship Award Winner
Wednesday Club, June 2022
Wednesday Club, June 2022