Portland Woman's Club records, 1850-2016

The Portland Woman's Club was formed in December 1895 in Portland, Oregon, with 78 charter members. The club sought to organize women who wanted to become actively involved in Portland's civic life. One of the club's earliest acts was to lobby the Oregon State Legislature to pass a bill authorizing the creation of a public library in Portland. Throughout the club's existence, its members have advocated for women's education, including providing scholarships. The club's other advocacy efforts in the 20th century included preventing trees in the downtown Portland Park Blocks from being cut down; the establishment of public parks; the promotion of a bond to fund garbage collection; food safety legislation; and traffic safety. The organization erected a clubhouse at 1220 SW Taylor Street in 1922; the building was sold to the First Baptist Church in 2001. At its peak, the club had more than 500 members. Membership declined in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and was down to 26 members by 2012.

Sources: "History of Portland Woman's Club, 1895-1995" by Audrey Johnson, 1995; notice in the Oregonian, February 3, 2001, page A2; "A mission accomplished," Oregonian, May 21, 2012, pages B1-B2.