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Long ago, but not far away…” women began to realize that perhaps they needed to “improve their skills, expand their rights and apply their abilities and special sensitivity to our society’s needs.” In October 1904, Mrs. Elvira Evelyna Worth Moffitt invited a group of ladies to meet with her in the State Library Reading Room for the sole purpose of organizing a Woman’s Club. These 146 ladies elected Miss Fannie Heck as the first president of their new Club and wasted no time in putting their dreams and ideas to work through a variety of areas. They selected Child Culture, Literature, Domestic Science, Art, Village Improvement, Charities and Music as the first departments for their Club and considered a Business Woman’s Section. These were women committed to the betterment of themselves and their community. The Club work has continued in this departmental system with every department having a full program of activities.
By 1906, membership reached 180, even though several of the charter membership had not continued in the organization. The Club became a part of the NC Federation of Women’s Clubs and was incorporated on December 3, 1906 as THE WOMAN’S CLUB OF RALEIGH, INC. During this organization time the Club adopted a statement of purpose: “The object of this Club is the intellectual, philanthropic social and domestic betterment of the city.” It was soon evident that a spirit of altruism began to dominate any love of pleasure or selfish desire for personal gain among these first members. This strength and courage has been a dominating force in the Club’s leadership during these 90 years of vast change and growth. Early activities included the first free milk fund, first baby clinic, free lunch program for undernourished children in the area, promotion of a County Health Department, securing the first public health nurse, providing supplies for the new Rex Hospital and planning creative, interesting, educational programs for all members.
Many organizations that have been vital forces in this community got their start through the efforts of this Woman’ s Club. The local TB association and the Earl W. Brian Clinic grew out of a first TB seal sale. The Raleigh Garden Club, the Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh, the Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Center, Capital City Trails and the local Red Cross Chapter were Club initiatives. Early Club efforts contributed to the organization of the Dorothea Dix Service Guild, the Health Affairs Round Table, the Raleigh Crafter Center and the Juvenile Court. Among the varied Club projects have been Bible Study classes, the building of the Chapel of the Nameless Woman and formation of the Chrysalis Woman’s Club at the NC Correctional Institution for Women; the Carolina Arts Gallery as a sales outlet for local artists, authors and craftsmen; and a Scholarship Program, which continues to provide thousands of dollars annually in assistance to young women and mature women seeking advanced education.
The Club annually sponsors the Greater Raleigh Antique Shows and gives Community Grants for special programs. Significant financial and hands-on support has been given to the YWCA, the YMCA, Rex Hospital, Red Cross, Dix Hospital, the Salvation Army, Wake County Detention Home, Girl Scouts, Raleigh Boy Choir, Capital City Trail, Raleigh Historic Sites Foundation, Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, all NC state museums and various education programs in the Wake County Schools. Almost every intellectual, philanthropic, social and civic betterment during these 90 years (1904-1994) has had the Club’s support. It has been said that all good things began because somebody cared. Certainly the Raleigh Club women have CARED - giving their best “straightforward and unafraid” - and their imprint on the history of Raleigh is quite well defined. This is a Woman’s Club that continues to build a better community through diversity, dedication, friendships, the sharing of interest and common goals in carrying out the Club motto, Culture for Service, Culture in Service - a Club motto of “long ago, but not far away…”
Today the statement of purpose reads, “The object shall be the intellectual philanthropic, social and civic betterment of the community.” This purpose is well defined in every thought and action of the Woman’s Club of Raleigh through its service to the city in which it lives. This Club continues to plant seedlings of goodwill, hope and prosperity for a future of full grown oak trees outlining the city horizon and anchoring the city roots deeply within the state.
Contributed by Julene B. McPhaul
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