By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The silver tea service is no longer pulled out for meetings, the dainty gloves have long ago been tucked away, and the clubhouse has been sold.
But the spirit of the Women’s Club in Bowling Green is still going strong as the group enters its 100th year. Yes, many of heads were gray or graying as more than 50 members met for breakfast on a recent Saturday morning. But those seasoned members have been joined by younger women – all who share a desire to improve their community.
The women choose a cause they believe in, then go to work. And on this Saturday, they reflected on their efforts.
“Today you’re all a Wonder Woman for the Club,” President Mary Callahan Boone said, recognizing the members’ efforts in conservation, gardening, canine companionship and domestic violence.
“What a great way to start the next 100 years,” Boone said.
One of the more seasoned members is Marilyn Pahl, who has been with the Women’s Club for 62 years.
“I really believe in it,” Pahl said. “It gets you out there, focusing on the good things women can do for the community.”
Camille Harris, 89, has been a member for 57 years.
“We’re dedicated,” she said. “We’re seeing a lot of good friends go, and new ones coming in.”
The club is a diverse group of women, with a single goal in mind – to better their community.
But of course there are side benefits of meeting others and forming long-lasting relationships.
Bobbie Lane, who was chatting with Pahl and Harris after the breakfast, said those friendships keep people coming back.
“I come to see the people – especially these two old broads,” Lane said with a grin.
The older members remember when the Women’s Club meetings had a formal flair.
“We used to get the silver tea service out,” Harris said.
And during the installation of new officers, Linda Crish, GFWC Ohio president, reminded members about the old days when women wouldn’t dream of going out in public without gloves.
“There were an absolute necessity up until the mid 1900s,” Crish said. “Gloves were never removed unless women were eating or responding to nature.”
As she installed new officers for the club, she advised them to not forget their goal.
“It is your duty to make sure you use your hands wisely,” she said. “You should all be commended for your hard work you do for the community.”
It’s that community dedication that convinced one of the younger members, Earlene Kilpatrick, to join the organization 25 years ago.
“I believe in the mission, and seeing how this club gives back to the community,” Kilpatrick said.
But she has also benefited from the companionship of diverse women. “I’ve met so many wonderful women.”
The Bowling Green Women’s Club not only dropped some of the formalities at meetings, but also had to sell its clubhouse that was located at the southeast corner of East Court and North Prospect streets, across from the county courthouse.
The costs of upkeep on the aging house were just too much, said Norma Stickler, a 20-year member who was president when the clubhouse was sold.
“Our money and energies were going toward that, instead of helping the community,” she said.
The clubhouse is gone, but the commitment remains.
“It’s a fun group of women, and the club does a lot of good service projects for the community,” Stickler said.
Stickler joined after she retired from BGSU.
“It’s been a way for me to meet interesting women in the community,” she said.
The membership represents a range of ages and occupations, “and a rich mix of experiences,” Boone said.
Many of the members are middle age or older, “and anything on the outside is the icing,” she said.
“It’s a chance to roll up their sleeves and help in the community, and meet other women,” Boone said.
The Women’s Club of Bowling Green – with a motto of “Not for self, but for others” – refers to itself as a social welfare organization dedicated to community and social improvement and civic betterment, by enhancing the lives of members and others through civic volunteer service.
The community service areas are art, conservation, education, home life, international outreach, and public issues. The group purchases books for children at Children’s Resource Center and the Wood County District Public Library, holds a creative writing contest for students, offers many student scholarships, plants flowers at the north welcome sign to Bowling Green, and makes blankets for ill and traumatized youth.
The organization also helps other community efforts, such as the BG Christian Food Pantry, Black Swamp Arts Festival, Cocoon Shelter, and Canine Companions for Independence.
More information can be found at www.womensclubbg.org
