It all started in 1925, three years after the official founding of Pacific Palisades, when 54 women met to discuss books and current events. Calling themselves “The Forum,” the group chose the California poppy as their flower, orange and green as their official colors, and “Let Something Good Be Said” as their motto. “This motto reminds us always of the far-reaching effect of our words,” one of the early members wrote. Scrapbooks filled with yellowed newsprint are all that survive of the early decades of the club, which changed its name to the Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club in 1931, joining the federal and state federation of women’s clubs. Now in its 80th year, and carrying the distinction as the oldest club in Pacific Palisades, the Woman’s Club will host a celebratory open house at its clubhouse, 901 Haverford Ave., from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 21. Everyone in the community is invited. Membership has ebbed and flowed over the years, with the peak coming in 1952 when it climbed to 500 after two new divisions, junior and evening associates, were created. These days, while membership is a more modest 80, the activities of the club remain much the same, ranging from philanthropic projects to author teas, fashion shows, bridge luncheons, music recitals and topical lectures. The year 1942 was a pivotal one for the club, when the site of the future clubhouse was purchased for $301.10. The following year, members bought an additional one-half lot for $150. Construction and dedication of the clubhouse didn’t come until 1951 and since that time the sleek, modernist building has been remodeled and enlarged twice. While the clubhouse originally was built primarily for Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club functions, over the years it has become a meeting place on a community-wide scale. The club is approached on a regular basis with proposals from those who wish to purchase and develop the valuable land. “This is our clubhouse and we have every intention of keeping it that way,” says current president Jean Aroeste. “While we give money to over 25 charities each year, I think the biggest contribution we make to this community is maintaining the clubhouse and making it available to other groups. With a kitchen and stage, along with a public address system, it’s really the only fully equipped meeting place in town.” Dorothy Hill, at 95 still active in the club, joined in 1958 when her first son went off to college and she “didn’t have much do.” She remembers the days when shopping and preparing the luncheon were required. “We got smart and now have it catered,” she says. She points to membership numbers as one of the biggest changes she has witnessed over the years. Back in the 1960s, membership was over 250. “This is before Juniors changed the rules and became their own entity [the Pacific Palisades Junior Women’s Club],” Dorothy says. “It used to be that when Juniors reached 35, they would join our group. Now they can be a Junior until they’re 90.” Marion Marshall, who in 40 years as a member has held every board position including serving as president four times, agrees something was lost when the Juniors splintered off, but acknowledges how societal changes, particularly women entering the work force, have had an impact on the popularity of women’s clubs in general. Nonetheless, she’s quick to list the club’s many undertakings as evidence of continued vitality. “We still conduct a literature section four times a year, we sponsor a free flu clinic, we provide scholarships to students at Palisades High, and we have a wonderful annual fashion show.” Mary Dean, one of the younger members at 59, conducts free tai chi classes, open to the community, every Thursday morning throughout the year. Dean has organized a special exhibition of paintings by women artists in the community, including one of her own paintings, to coincide with the 80th anniversary. “These women are such an inspiration to me,” says Dean of her fellow members. She joined the group when she moved to the Palisades in 1974. “There has been such deep community involvement among them for so many years,” she adds. At 91, Phyllis Keely is one of the newest members, having joined only a couple years ago. For 50 years, she was busy operating her own business, “The Letter Shop,” on Via de la Paz. “We’re still plugging along, still playing bridge and having a lot of fun,” says the spry nonagenarian. She gets a big laugh from her gal pals when she adds “Getting older isn’t for wimps.” Regular club meetings with entertainment and lunch are held every second Tuesday and bridge luncheons every third Tuesday, from October through June. For membership information, contact Judy Grosh at 454-7144.
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