| Throughout Arizona, woman's clubs have made their mark, organizing libraries, aiding museums and improving schools. Even before Arizona became a state, women worked to build their communities and to educate themselves about state and national issues.
Region: Phoenix and Central Arizona
Theme: Women in Community Building |
Peoria Woman's Club Building
10381 N. 84th Ave., Peoria
The Peoria Woman's Club began as the Peoria Embroidery Club in 1914. Three years later, the club joined the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1917 as the Peoria Woman's Civic Club. At first, the group met in individuals' homes as they planned ways to benefit their community. Through fundraising events and contributions, they were able to build a clubhouse in 1919. Club members organized the Peoria Public Library in a portion of their clubhouse two years later. Members ran this library until the 1960s; at that time, maintaining the clubhouse and the library became too expensive. Club members met with city officials and agreed to donate their building to the city, which in turn committed to renovating and maintaining the building. The city also agreed to allow the woman's club to meet in the building as long as members desired. The city library was expanded through the renovation.
In the 1960s, club members volunteered in a well-baby clinic which was one of the longest running clinics of its type in the Valley. In addition, club members raised money to update lifesaving equipment for the Peoria Fire Department. Members continue to provide services to the community in many ways, but believe one of their most important functions is to provide a place for women to socialize and create lifelong friendships.
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