Stillman Valley Woman's Club

The Stillman Valley Woman’s Club was organized on November 1, 1899 by a small group of women meeting at the home of Mrs. Ellen Patrick, and was known as the “Wednesday Study Club.” Its purpose was “mental improvement by study and discussion” and the group met at the homes of members. The first ten meetings were held weekly, but thereafter were held on alternate Wednesdays, excluding three months during the summer. With the start of the 1938-1939 term meetings were held monthly. The meetings were devoted to the study of such subjects as literature, history, folklore, government, arts and crafts, music, public health, and education. Most meetings included a musical portion where members either sang or listened to selections on the phonograph. In 1903 the group affiliated with the State Federation of Women’s Clubs. In 1910 they joined the Thirteenth District, and in 1925, they affiliated with Ogle County. It was not until 1945 that the club joined the General Federation. In 1919 it was voted to change the name of the organization to the Stillman Valley Woman’s Club. During its 88 years of existence the Woman’s Club worked on many worthwhile projects. World War I saw members supporting the Red Cross and the Council of National Defense, and during World War II the group sponsored clothing drives. Other work included supporting a French orphan for two years, furnishing hot lunches for school children, putting on art exhibits, purchasing children’s recreational equipment for the park, helping to finance a supervisor for children’s summer activities, and planting trees. During the 1980's activities included sponsoring blood pressure checks for the community, having charge of the Flower Show at the annual Fall Festival, sponsoring the “Home of the Valley” contest, art and music scholarships, and lending support to “Winning Wheels,” a facility for disabled adults in Prophetstown. In addition this group has contributed to many local and national organizations. The project the Stillman Valley Woman’s Club is most proud of is the library it started in 1915 and maintained until they turned it over to the village in 1924. The building originally was the home of Miss Julia E. Hull who willed it for a library. It also served as a meeting place for the Woman’s Club for many years. During the 1980's membership declined and the group formally disbanded in May 1988.

Note written by