by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS
The Woman’s Club of Olympia is holding its 135th Anniversary celebration March 24, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Abigail Stuart House. There will be entertainment, a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres and wine.
“After 135 years, the Woman’s Club of Olympia remains a forward-thinking organization while bearing in mind the historical significance of its beginnings,” says Club secretary and incoming vice president Sandra Groves. “Attempting to remain true to the vision of the founding women, the Woman’s Club of Olympia defines educational, philanthropic and community service goals in the context of today’s needs and strives to contribute in a meaningful fashion to the betterment of the community.”
The anniversary celebration will feature hors d’oeuvres made by club members and wine from Hoodsport Winery. There will be piano music by Ann Finn from 6 to 6:30 p.m., and the music group Trillium Creek will perform from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Theatrical readings from archived Woman’s Club writings by members from the 1800’s will also be part of the evening.
There will be hors d’oeuvres made by club members and wine from Hoodsport Winery at the event.
Auction items include an official Seahawk NFL Football accompanied by a stadium blanket made by one of the club members, a two-night Staycation at Ground Inn with breakfasts and complimentary facial at A Beautiful Face, jewelry from Earth Magic and other jewelry stores, and many more great items.
The club annually awards thousands of dollars in scholarships and participates in community service and educational projects, and this special anniversary auction will increase their service capabilities and further the group’s mission.
The Woman’s Club of Olympia is one of the oldest women’s clubs west of the Mississippi still operating under its original charter. In 1883, nine progressive women dared to band together to form a club designed to enrich not only their lives, but the lives of those around them as well. The pioneering women who started the club were met with lectures from their husbands on the unseemliness of women leaving home to join a “radical” women’s organization. They were led by Abigail Howard Hunt Stuart, who served the group as its first President and after whom the house where they still meet in Olympia named.
WHAT Woman’s Club 135th Anniversary
WHERE Woman’s Club of Olympia, 1002 Washington St SE, Olympia
WHEN 6-9 p.m. Saturday, March 24
HOW MUCH free
LEARN (360) 753-9921