The 100-Year Anniversary Committee has been working towards this historic occasion for over five years. It was impossible to imagine just one event to commemorate this important milestone so there will be a variety of events throughout the year.
The first is an Anniversary Celebration on January 24 at Blythefield Country Club for members to celebrate and reminisce. The next is an event at the Grand Rapids Public Museum during Women’s History Month in March to launch the book, Our First One Hundred Years: 1924-2024. This special program will include the authors of the book, music, and special guests. It is open to the public. In April the History Committee is sponsoring an event at the Sweet House. A tour of the house, a light supper and a program are planned. An event tradition of the Women’s City Club is our Annual Meeting in May where we honor those who have served on the Board and long-time members. In September we will celebrate “100 Years of Influential Women” at a red carpet event. Our last celebratory event will be the Evergreen Gala, capping off an exciting and memorable year!
The original purpose of the Women’s City Club as printed in the October 1924 issue of the new organization’s newsletter, “The Bulletin,” was this:
The purpose of the club shall be to promote a broad acquaintance among women through their common interest in the welfare of the City of Grand Rapids and the state of Michigan; to maintain an open forum where leaders in matters of public import and civic interest may be heard frequently, and to provide a clubhouse where its members may meet informally.
Our founders and all of the members of the Club since 1924 have certainly fulfilled this mission. The Club brings women together. We share friendships, enrichment opportunities; volunteering, classes, games, books, coffee, food, trips, and excellent programs on so many varied topics relevant to us. We have discovered many welcoming places to meet for our activities. The city is our Clubhouse!
We enter our 100th year with pride in our legacy and a vision for a bright future. Happy Centennial Anniversary Women’s City Club!
