Women’s Club proves to have staying power

The Crescent City Women’s Club has thrived in Crescent City for the past 95 years.

The club, adopted into the California Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1915, began as the Del Norte Improvement Club in 1914. Since then it has been the goal of the Women’s Club to continually improve Crescent City civically, morally, socially and aesthetically. 

Today the club boasts approximately 150 members. Each contri­butes her own unique perspective and desires for the community. This varied group of women also provides an endless supply of talents that allow the club to excel in many areas.

“The club opens up avenues and broadens contacts,” said Liz Freeman.

Freeman is the current District Leg­islative Chair, past three-time president for the club and has been a member for close to 25 years. One of the strengths that she brings to the club is her passion for legislature and law. Her district position allows her to work at the state level, lobbying and raising awareness for statewide concerns.

The club contributes to scholarships, works toward the beautification of Crescent City and a wide variety of small projects that benefit American soldiers.

Another important part of the Crescent City Women’s Club are the social gatherings and interactions. The club provides support and camaraderie for the women of Crescent City. “Friendship” was last year’s theme for co-presidents Ellie Latt and Barbara Weisbrod.

The club offers a wide spectrum of activities, including travel, card games, music and business.

Latt and Weisbrod just finished up their year as co-presidents, which the local chapter has never had before. Latt used her skills to run the social side of the club while Weisbrod was in charge of the business side.

The Women’s Club held its installation meeting June 7, welcoming the president for the 2011-12 year, Maida Piotrowski.

The current president sets the tone for the club’s year. She brings her own cause to the group that will be the focus of the fundraising done for the upcoming year.

Piotrowski, also the current president of the Crescent Harbor Art Gallery, has not yet decided on what her project will be, but she does know the theme for the club this year will be “love.”

“You can’t expect to get love unless you give it, and I think we can forget that,” said Piotrowski.

She plans to continue strengthening the bonds within the group during the year. Her hope is to shake things up, from the food that is catered, to the choice of speakers, to the fellowship within the club.

“Being community-minded is still the goal, but we need to do something different,” said Piotrowski.

And the Crescent City Women’s Club is no stranger to change. To have survived for 95 years, the club has surely seen its share of evolution.

Through reading past minutes of the club, Freeman has seen the changes of the country reflected in the club’s 95 years. From the rise and fall of the economy to the impact of wars, as the country has struggled, the club has adapted to continue on.

“We’re women, we can handle anything,” said Latt.