Contemporary activities are as diversified as the membership, including social events, sports, cultural and volunteer programs.
And the ladies have a long tradition to draw from, dating to the formation of the group in 1898 when seven women gathered in Downey to form the "Friday Afternoon Club." The original goal was set down in writing, to "promote the social, moral and intellectual interests of the community and to establish a public library."
The early club days were most colorful. Dances were held in the old clubhouse which was kept warm by heaters. The long skirt of one lady actually caught fire and had to be put out, interrupting the dance. The brave woman went home, donned a new skirt and was back dancing later the same evening, according to chroniclers of the time.
There was one period when Firestone Boulevard flooded almost annually. The men were terribly worried that their wives attending a meeting had drowned. Not so. The good ladies told the gentlemen on their return home that it would take more than a little high water to ruffle them!
Club historian Connie Summers lists the club chronology and its highlights as follows:
* 1900-The club federated, becoming affiliated with the California Federation of Women’s Clubs.
* 1901-The club opened a small library in the McKellar home here.
* 1901-The meeting day was changed to Saturday.
* 1901-A lot was purchased at Firestone and New Street.
* 1910-A clubhouse was built for $1,752.
* 1912-Meetings were changed to Wednesdays (twice a month).
* 1915-The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors agreed to contribute $10 a month to help establish an L.A. County Free Library at the club.
* 1924-The name was formally changed to the Woman’s Club of Downey.
* 1926-The library outgrew the Woman’s Club and was moved to a location on Downey Avenue.
* 1928-An addition to house a better baby clinic was built onto the clubhouse. The clinic was attended by Los Angeles County doctors and nurses.
* 1939-A lot was purchased on Church Street for a new clubhouse, but was later sold.
* 1945-The Junior Woman’s Club was formed in January.
* 1946-Seniors and Juniors joined to purchase a resuscitator for the city.
* 1947-The clubhouse was sold for $28,000. The last meeting there was Dec. 3, 1947. Meetings were moved to the Presbyterian Church.
* 1949-A lot was purchased on Paramount and Lubec for $11,000.
* 1950-The new clubhouse was finished at a cost of $55,000.
* 1960-Membership reached 500, with more placed on a waiting list.
* 1970-A gift of $500 was presented to the new Downey Theater.
* 1988-The club celebrated its 90th anniversary.
If you want to be a part of this rich tradition, annual dues are $40, and you may call Barbara Briley Beard, president, at 927-3000, or Jean Beaton at 869-6546.