Sharon Woman's Club : Looking to the future while embracing the past

SHARON — December marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Sharon Woman’s Club (and yes, it is the Woman’s Club and not the Women’s Club).

The volunteer organization was started in 1910 — at a time when Connecticut women had not yet been granted the right to vote, and when women were expected to stay out of the social and political realms. The purpose of the club was to give women access to Sharon society and government, and allow them to effect positive changes on the town.

“The Sharon Woman’s Club was their network in a world where women had no access to information, government or a social life,†said club member Judy Albright, who is currently working on an exhibit highlighting the history of the club and its many projects. The exhibit will be at the Sharon Historical Society and will show how club members have engaged in many activities throughout the last century.

The Sharon club is part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, a national organization involved in women’s issues including domestic violence, family needs, education and community development.

According to the federation’s website, it was credited in 1930 with establishing more than 75 percent of the nation’s libraries.

In 2010, the Sharon Woman’s Club is still active in the Sharon community, holding many fundraising and social events. A look at a timeline of the group’s activities over the years offers a mirror to life in the nation and in Sharon since 1910.

100 years of Woman’s Club

Dec. 12, 1910: A meeting to discuss the possibility of establishing a woman’s club in Sharon was held at the home of Mrs. William B. Coley; 15 women attended.

Dec. 19, 1910: The first official meeting of the Sharon Woman’s Club was held.

1911: The club became a member of the state and national General Federation of Women’s Clubs.

1917: A town meeting vote elected the Woman’s Club to assume responsibility for keeping Town Hall clean. This was a short-lived appointment. During this time, the club also supported World War I efforts, buying war bonds and sending Christmas packages to soldiers.

1911 through 1920: The woman’s club started a sewing class for children and the Sharon Garden Club, and petitioned for a teacher’s pension in Connecticut and against killing birds for plumage in women’s hats.

Club members initiated a Gypsy Moth Control Project to help rid the town of pests that were destroying trees. Children were paid 5 cents for every 100 moth egg masses they collected.

1929: A series of community meetings were held to encourage interest in the Kellogg Peace Pact.

1920 through 1930: The club petitioned congressmen to preserve water in national park reservations and supported a nine-hour day for female factory workers. The club also petitioned Sharon’s selectmen to lower speed limits through the town and worked to keep trees on the Sharon Green from being cut down.

1939: In honor of the 200th anniversary of the town of Sharon, the club organized a pageant in which 267 town residents took part in reenactments of historical events.

1930 through 1940: The club established a circulating library and supported the creation of the first regional high school in the state: Housatonic Valley Regional High School.

1945: The Sharon Woman’s Club Scholarship Fund, which continues today, was established. This same year, club members sponsored a community rally to raise money for a public beach.

1940 through 1950: The club raised money for war relief efforts, and members volunteered with organizations such as the Red Cross and the Nurses’ Aid Program. They supported the V-16 Club, which offered social activities for high school girls during World War II. Members sold war bonds, planted victory gardens and did salvage work.

1955: The Town Beach Project received an award of $300 from the State Federation Community Improvement Program. The project raised money to build a bath house and do landscaping work at the town beach.

1950 through 1960: The club sponsored a State Federation resolution supporting seat belts in cars. They also held a bicycle safety clinic for children and sponsored poster contests with the themes of bicycle safety and Keep Sharon Clean. The club also adopted a project to raise funds for street signs for the town.

1960: Street signs were donated to the town on the Sharon Woman’s Club’s 50th anniversary and a permanent Christmas tree was planted on the Sharon Green.

1967: The Keep Sharon Beautiful campaign was launched.

1970: The Keep Sharon Beautiful campaign culminated in the removal of 300 junk cars from the town.

1977: The club arranged for health screenings for the elderly and held a house tour to raise money for the ambulance fund.

1970 through 1980: The club initiated the installation of four-way stop signs at the intersection of routes 41, 4 and 343.

1983: The Town Beautification Project began with the planting of flowers on several traffic islands. Members planted 500 daffodil bulbs on the Green, and the clock tower was illuminated.

1990: Literacy volunteers helped students at the Sharon Center School, and two rose of Sharon trees were planted on the Green.

1991: The club supported legislation on the Women’s Health Equity Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, mammograms, youth suicide prevention and other issues.

1996: An Endangered Species exhibit was held at the Union Savings Bank, and later traveled to the Millbrook School and the Sharon Audubon Center.

1998: The Women on Wheels program began;  anyone who was unable to  drive themselves somewhere could call Town Hall and be matched with a volunteer driver to provide them with a ride.

2006: The club funded the creation of the town website, sharonct.org, and has since become a liaison to the town, working to keep improving the website.