Different stereotypes might come to mind when one thinks of a women’s club and what the members actually do as part of the organization. Frankly, I’d been of the same mind as Groucho Marx, who has been quoted as saying, “I refuse to join a club that would have me as a member.” Once I visited the beautiful, stately clubhouse at 200 Cooper Ave. and met some of the members, my mind was changed.
The Woman’s Club of Upper Montclair has a rich, long history in town and was organized on Oct. 4, 1900, at the home of Emma Allen Dodd, who lived at 257 Upper Mountain Ave. Known as the “Thursday Club” at the time, eight women met on the first and third Thursdays of the month. The club was organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity, making distributions to other 501(c)(3) organizations as part of its mission.
The club entered the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1901 and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1921. The building, which had its groundbreaking in July 1923, is the largest women’s clubhouse and volunteer organization in New Jersey.
I had the opportunity to sit down with four of the members to find out more about what they do and what the Woman’s Club means to them: the co-presidents, Waltraut “Trautie” Becker and Vivien Finn; the membership chair, Barbara Davey; and The Bulletin editor and website designer, Heather Zises. They recently returned from attending the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs annual convention in Atlantic City, May 1-3.
My recent visit also gave me another chance to walk around the interior at my leisure, and take in the architecture and furnishings at the same time. The Woman’s Club maintains the building through fundraisers held throughout the year.
(ROBIN WOODS/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Zises provided me with the latest issue of The Bulletin, the bimonthly newsletter. “It’s not just ladies who lunch, but an educational and volunteer club,” she said. Zises also works on the website design and digitizing the membership forms. A relatively new member, she jumped right into it and began to volunteer. She lives in the First Ward in Montclair and found it important to support philanthropic activities while meeting people in the community and informing them about the club.
I filled out a membership form and look forward to hearing more from Barbara Davey, membership chair. Davey provided additional background information to me about the rich history, which abounds. The Woman’s Club is committed to supporting projects that serve the needs of our community as part of their mission, including the Holly Berry Gift and Craft Fair held each November at the clubhouse. This is a major fundraiser and helps the club provide funds for nursing school scholarships for women. The recipients are chosen by staff at Montclair State and Caldwell universities.
Woman’s Club members pride themselves on civic engagement and outreach, with volunteers sending cards to veterans, filling holiday stockings for those serving in the military, and also making up Easter baskets, which go to a “safe house” in New Jersey, the location of which is not publicized. Club departments and committees include Advocates for Children/Domestic Violence, Arts and Culture, Environment, Health and Wellness and more.
If you’re an avid reader, you can participate in the monthly book discussion group. The book selection is usually in the historical fiction genre, and all books lining the bookcases in the clubhouse are available for sale. Book sale proceeds help to fund events and donations made to other 501(c)(3) organizations. A pet project involves members reading to children attending kindergarten in Montclair schools on Dr. Seuss Day, annually celebrated on March 2.
Becker, a co-president, has a long history with the club. She mentioned that the great granddaughter of the founder is a member. Some members go back 40 or more years with the organization,.
During our walk around through the first floor of the clubhouse, she pointed out the beautiful framed oil paintings and tapestries on the wall, and rooms full of period furnishings. I couldn’t help but touch and sit on the antique upholstered sofas and chairs. Many windows let in the sun and brighten the rooms. Becker also took me through the huge commercial kitchen. It caught my eye as I walked by and noticed walls and cabinets painted in seafoam or palm green, a beachy shade that I love. One could feed an army from that kitchen, and Becker told me that she enjoys cooking in there for special events.
Finn, a co-president, sits on the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Liberty District. GFWC oversees all women’s clubs in the state of New Jersey, and said, “Word of mouth is the best way of hearing about WCUM,” Finn said. “We have members who’ve been involved for more than 40 years and are always looking for new members to join us.” The more, the merrier.
Yes, it’s so much more than just lunch. It’s a bunch of hours of volunteering and working for the greater good. If there’s a delicious luncheon to attend every now and then, all the better. Woman’s Club of Upper Montclair members deserve them.
For more information:
The Woman’s Club of Upper Montclair
200 Cooper Avenue
(973) 744-9138