Archives West Finding Aid

The Washington State University Women's Club was started by Hattie Bryan in 1913 under the title of the Matron's Club. In 1951, the group changed its name to the Women's Faculty Club. Again, in 1969, the group revised its title to the Washington State University Women's Club

The purpose of the organization was to cultivate friendship among women in the university community as well as to welcome newly arrived women into their social network. In 1913 when the Matron's Club was begun it was the only social club for State College women outside of those sponsored by churches. For many years, the organization consisted of women whose husbands were on the faculty of the State College. Later women on the faculty also entered the organization, and ultimately the scope became women who worked for the Washington State University, or who had a spouse who was a university employee. Throughout, the purpose of the organization remained friendship. This objective was achieved by group dinners and other social events.

During the 1970s in response to the changing roles of women in society, the club adopted an ``interest group" format that broadened the club's scope of activities beyond that of afternoon teas and formal dinner/dances.

Historical sketches of the organization are found in the records among documents concerning the 75th anniversary of the club and in a historical file.