Women's City Club of Rochester Records

Accounts differ as to the official date of foundation of the Women’s City Club. There is evidence of the club’s existence as early as 1910; however, the group may not have officially incorporated until 1919. Most accounts, however, state that the club formed in 1911, with membership was limited to 600. This limit would be dropped and the club reached a peak membership of approximately 2000 in 1925. The Women’s City Club was organized “for the specific purpose of making Rochester the city wherein you always want to live,” by “taking an active interest in civic movements, in the conduct of municipal affairs, and in all legislation which effects [sic] the welfare of Rochester’s citizens.” It grew out of the existing City Club of Rochester, founded in 1910, which allowed women to attend some of its lectures. In the words of a 1914 Democrat & Chronicle article, "It is the object of the club to be of educational value to women, not merely entertain. By arousing thought and discussion, it hopes to develop intelligent public opinion."

The Women's City Club was a lunch club, hosting a lecture series, often on controversial topics of the day. It also supported local arts and culture. A reform-oriented group, it advocated for such causes as a city manager charter, a central library, smoke abatement, and a drive for pasteurized milk. The club’s Central Library Committee was instrumental in raising support for a central library in the early 1920s. The organization's various club houses also provided meeting space for other women's organizations and a place for general female socializing. After succeeding (with the aid of George Eastman) in its campaign for a city manager and after initiating other reforms, the Women's City Club of Rochester suspended operations in 1930, disbanding in the fall of that year, and finally disbursed its property in 1935.