A woman’s club in a community is not just about fashion shows and luncheons; they help build a community. But fashion shows are important as a fund raiser to support a club’s community activities. On Saturday, April 9, at 11 a.m., the Woman’s Club of Chester will hold their annual fund raiser, “Travel into Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon.” A hot lunch, raffles and door prizes will be part of the activities along with fashions provided by Peebles Department Store. Held at the Chester Baptist Church at 4317 School St., tickets are $20 with all proceeds supporting scholarships at three local high schools.
The Woman’s Club of Chester has been an active force in Chester for 78 years. It was organized on Sept. 3, 1937 in the home of Mrs. Alvin Judson Hurt (Maude). The purpose of the organization was to promote general culture of members, ideal living conditions, music, fine art, literature and citizenship and international relations.
There were 21 ladies present, all of who became members, 57 charter members were installed and by the end of the first year, there were 86 members. In the first year the club met in a log cabin owned by Dr. and Mrs. Henry Stacy Dodge. As the club grew the Chester Masonic Lodge No. 94, invited the organization to use the first floor of the Hall as a permanent club room.
In the early years the members were instrumental in having street signs installed and promoted beautification of Petersburg Pike (Route 1), in the 40s during war time, they supported the Red Cross, the “Build a Bomber” program, the Air Spotting Tower in Chester and took part in spotting planes, with many hours given to support the war effort. After the war their focus was on family and children. In the 50s, sponsorship of Girl Scouts and the Cotillion was established and money was raised for the construction of a community center in the early 60s along with a focus on the arts, literature, conservation, history and beautification of the community.
Over next three decades, the club continued their projects from previous decades but added to their efforts to help start a YMCA in the community, participation in the Christmas Mother program and led the push to add street lights along Route 10.
The club’s largest monetary support for the community began in the last two decades with efforts focused on building an art center in the community. The club donated $40,000 to the Chesterfield Center for the Arts Foundation and continues to support the foundation volunteering with the foundations various activities.
The club meets the first Monday of each month at Chestser Baptist Church at 6:30 p.m. and will begin their 79th year in September, 2016. To purchase tickets for the annual fashion show, call 748-7695.
