New Haven Woman’s Club gathered one last time for lunch recently

I was surprised and delighted by a recent invitation to join the New Haven Woman’s Club for lunch at the beautiful Sage American Grill in New Haven, but my pleasure turned to sadness when I learned that this group, in existence since 1913, which had accomplished so much over the years, was having its final get-together.

I had experienced the same feeling previously when the Branford Women’s Club (a few members joined with Madison) had its last event. More women than ever are working today, and many of the clubs have not changed with the times and found ways to attract those younger women who they need in order to survive. 

It is too bad because women’s clubs have played a very important role in our nation’s history and still contribute immeasurably to our communities well-being. Did you know, for example, that almost 80 percent of the libraries in Connecticut owe their existence to women’s clubs, which often originated as women’s reading groups after the Civil War, and it was their book collections that became our very first small-town libraries? A women’s reading club started in 1900 in Madison by Mary Eliza Scranton is now the Scranton Public Library.

“Women Working Wonders” was the motto of the New Haven Woman’s Club and in her heartwarming good-bye speech, outgoing treasurer and program chair Janet Burblis related the groups from infants to college students and the elderly that their donations have helped. From card parties to cake sales, volunteering at hospitals, driving others to doctor’s appointments, serving at soup kitchens, tutoring in schools and planting flowers and knitting hats for children, these ladies have added immeasurably to the community.

One lasting gift, a beautiful quilt which is one of two that were made by women of the club, hangs in the children’s area of the New Haven Public Library and depicts characters from the children’s book, “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak.

The good news is that we still have some very active women’s clubs (all members of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs) in our area, and I would encourage women, whether working or nonworking, to consider becoming part of these organizations. There are groups in Killingworth, Northford, North Branford, Mystic, Madison and Milford, to name just a few.

The Madison group has its very special biennial Gardens by the Sea coming up on June 1, which offers an opportunity to tour seven beautiful, local gardens.

Their current energetic and personable president Kathy De Burra has been honored this year by being selected to represent the state of Connecticut at the national convention in Arizona, (which, in a lovely coincidence, happens to be Kathy’s former home state).

On a personal note, although I was happily married for almost 60 years and still admire and enjoy the male sex, I have always treasured the special companionship of my women friends; even more now that age increases one’s dependency on friends. During my entire working life, it has most often been another woman who has given me a hand up, and, indeed, I owe my present rewarding career to a woman, Maureen Campbell, who 15 years ago saw the potential in a specialized service to help seniors with the complex task of selling their homes, downsizing and moving to a retirement community or even, an entirely new area.

Happy Easter, Passover and Welcome Spring to readers, female, male and otherwise.

Contact Jean Cherni, certified senior adviser for Senior Living Solutions and Pearce Plus, a helpful, full-service program for seniors contemplating a move, at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 49 Rose St., Apt. 510, Branford, 06405.

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