Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has honored the East Whittier Woman’s Improvement Club, amid Women’s History Month and the organization’s 125th year.
The club, dedicated to community improvement and preserving local history, is believed to be the county’s oldest women’s club east of Los Angeles, according to Hahn’s office.
“The story of the East Whittier Woman’s Improvement Club is women’s history,” said Hahn in a press release. “At a time when women did not yet have the right to vote, when their voices were too often left out of public life, a group of determined women in Whittier came together with a vision to improve their community, to create opportunity, and to build something lasting.”
As it celebrates 125 years, it’s also celebrating its accomplishments.
Among them: preserving historic buildings such as its own Clubhouse, which began as a pump station for the East Whittier Land and Water Company before being acquired by the club in 1908.
The historic building now serves as an events venue.
Club members were also vital to the restoration of the Pio Pico Adobe in Whittier, which served as the home of California governor Pio de Jesus Pico before and during the Mexican-American War.
On Tuesday, Hahn was joined by the club’s president, Jan Daigneault; its incoming president Mary, Pat Killian; and 99-year-old past president Sylvia Foltz, with other club members in attendance.
“Women started in 1901 saying, ‘You know, the men have a club — called the pub. And we need a club to learn about current events, improve our arts, and have some place for the community to gather and be women and be leaders in our community,’” said Daigneault, who thanked Hahn for the recognition. “Since 1901, our mission has remained the same: to foster friendship, support our community, and preserve this special place for future generations of women.”
“It’s been a joy to be a member of the East Whittier Woman’s Club,” said Foltz. “I first joined the club in 1951 when we had a junior group, and it’s just been a big part of my life.”