BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, HELPING OTHERS
Why Join Our Club?
If you are looking for a tight knit group who enjoy the company of like minded women who like to volunteer in their spare time and give back to the community – then you found it! By joining our club you will:
Make a difference in our community by giving your time to volunteer organizations such as food pantries, shelters for victims of domestic violence, and rescue organizations.
Attend a monthly luncheon and learn from guest speakers, some of our recent speakers were:
- Dee Gold Clinical Psychologist – Creative Arts Therapy;
- Drew Faulkner – President of the DC Chapter of Le Dames d’Escoffer;
- Carol Van Dam – journalist with Voice of America.
- Reverend Ann Derse, Minister of Community Development, St. John’s Norwood Episcopal Church
- Eileen Schlicting, Gourmet Cook and Owner of Transatlantic Travel Agency
- Sue Palka, Channel Fox5 DC Chief Meteorologist for 36 years
- Martha Anne Toll, Author of Three Muses, Awarded the Petrichor Prize for Finely Crafted Fiction
- Dr. Mary Alvord, Founder of Resilience Across Borders.
Participate in the club’s various activities, such as the Holiday and Spring Boutiques, the Silent Auction, and the Youth Art Exhibition. Enjoy the camaraderie of women who want to make a difference in our community.
Take day trips to explore places in and around the Washington DC Metro Area.
Interact and develop friendships with strong, independent women who are interested in and willing to make positive contributions to our society.
History
The Woman’ Club of Bethesda, Inc. was established over a century ago by a group of women who wanted to make a difference in their neighborhood. In 1911 seven determined women met to form a club for the purpose of promoting civic activities and public welfare by helping their neighborhood schools, churches, and hospitals. More than one hundred years later the founders’ original dedication to charity remains strong.
The early members met every two weeks in their homes, so membership was limited to 35; therefore the club decided that they needed a clubhouse. In 1925 the Finance Committee raised $1500 and purchased three lots on the corner of Sonoma Road and Old Georgetown Road. These clubwomen had the vision and wisdom to buy and build a clubhouse that would secure the Club’s financial future for generations to come. This is the clubhouse we still use today.
During the war years of 1914-1916 club members sold over $10,000 in Liberty bonds and raised funds to feed French orphans. The club also donated fire protection in the form of a chemical fire engine ready for service.
In January 1926 the club incorporated. That same year the club began keeping newspaper clippings of its history.
In 1933 the Literary section was born.
In 1944 the club held a tea party to raise money for Russian relief. During that year club members also established patients’ library at Suburban Hospital which the club maintained for more than 17 years. During World War II the clubhouse hosted USO entertainment.
In 1959-1960 the Philanthropic Evaluation Committee was formed. Their job was to determine which charities the club will support each year. To this day, the Committee continues to be hard at work.