Catholic Woman’s Club is 100 years old, yet still strong and vital. Why has it been so successful?
The Club has maintained a well-defined goal from its beginning: the spiritual, cultural and social development of its members through charitable and civic works. For 100 years, the achievement of this goal has depended upon strong leadership, hard-working members, and the ability to adapt with the times.

How Did We Begin?
In 1922, seventy-nine women from the Tacoma-Pierce County area organized the Catholic Woman’s Club. The Catholic Welfare Bureau (now Catholic Community Services) was established with Club members providing secretaries’ salaries, office support, working capital and rendering direct volunteer service to people in need in Pierce County.

What Have we Done?
Historically, charitable projects included donating money for completion of the north wing of the old St Joseph’s Hospital, assisting at well-baby clinics, providing transportation for foster children, sewing clothing, layettes and First Communion outfits for needy children, furnishing the Villa Majella Home for unwed mothers, and supporting St. Ann’s Home for Children.

More recent projects have included establishment of the CWC Endowment at Bellarmine Prep, which funds an annual scholarship for a female student, furnishing an apartment at the new Nativity House, and commissioning “The Eyes of Mercy” by local artist Mary Mann, installed at Nativity House. Table of Plenty, a cookbook published in 2003, provided additional funds for the charities we support. Since 2009, teams of CWC members have done food prep and served breakfast and lunch monthly at the Nativity House Hospitality Kitchen. Although the Catholic Welfare Bureau began to receive funding from the Community Chest (now United Way) in the 1930’s, the Club continues to support Catholic Community Services as a primary obligation.

Is That All there Is?
The Club has also demonstrated concern for the wider community through civic activities. It has been affiliated with the Archdiocesan and National Councils of Catholic Women, the President’s Council of Women’s Organizations, the March of Dimes, the United Way and the Red Cross. The Club has donated to Art in the Park, the Pantages Theatre, and the Tacoma Art Museum.

Why do we do What we do?
Underlying the charitable and civic activities is the Christian development of each Club member. To further spiritual development, members have participated in an annual Day of recollection, a Memorial Mass for deceased members, and Lenten retreats. Programs enhancing cultural development have included book reviews, theatre parties, and art education. Social development of members has been provided through teas, luncheon meetings, and Christmas parties. Many of the Club’s fundraising activities have been successful socially as well as financially. In 1922, the first of several charity balls was held. Other functions have included card parties, style shows, carnivals, and garden parties. Our Club motto says it all: “Pro Deo Pro Patria”- For God and For Country.

Is this the End of the History?
The history of Catholic Woman’s Club is ongoing. Each current member is a part of what Catholic Woman’s Club is now and what it will become. We honor our past, contribute our time, talent and treasure in the present, and look forward with faith and hope to the future.