Members of the Westfield Woman’s Club reached out to the Acton Woman’s Club, inviting members to meet one another to share ideas about fundraising. A group from Westfield drove to Acton last fall for a casual lunch inside the clubhouse located at 504 Main Street. The WWC members learned about AWC fundraising activities that include semi-annual pie and bake sales, year-round clubhouse rentals, and proceeds from the ongoing sale of the AWC’s 110th anniversary commemorative tea towels.
A few months later, members of the Acton Woman’s Club accepted an invitation from the Westfield Woman’s Club to attend the WWC’s annual summer garden tea fundraiser in Westfield MA.
“The event they put on was remarkable,” said Acton resident and AWC member Elizabeth Waldman. “It was a beautiful summer day, and you could really feel the sense of community at the event.”
Festive tables were set up under the pavilion at Stanley Park, located across the street from Westfield State University. Plates of scones were on the tables upon arrival. Later on sandwiches and beverages were served by the grandchildren of members of the WWC.
Over 100 people attended the garden tea. Live music was provided by the Westfield High School Jazz Musicians, and fifty raffle baskets that were solicited from local businesses or contributed by WWC members were donated to the fundraiser.
The two woman’s clubs share a similar history. WWC was founded in 1914, while AWC, which started in 1912, was officially organized in 1915. Both Clubs also share a mission of benevolent, civic and social activities, as well as an unfortunate shortage or lack of on-site parking.
One difference between the clubs relates to their clubhouses. WWC owns their large clubhouse, which they built for that purpose in 1926. The AWC clubhouse is a smaller antique building, originally built in 1829 as a chapel. The woman’s club preserves the charming and historic building for the Town of Acton.
The exchange of information about fundraising activities was a learning experience for both clubs. WWC and AWC gave each other new ideas about raising money for their community based, non-profit organizations.
The new year begins for the Acton Woman’s Club in September with a talk by Acton resident and nationally renowned sculptor, Meredith Bergmann. She will talk about her work creating monuments to great Americans including FDR, Sojourner Truth, Abigail Adams, Marian Anderson, and Susan B. Anthony.
https://meredithbergmann.com/public-art-commissions/Any woman interested in receiving an invitation to attend Bergmann’s talk on September 9 at 11 o’clock may send an email to
actonwomansclubmembership@gmail.com or call 978-263-5275. A complimentary luncheon will follow the talk. Guests may attend up to two events before deciding to join the AWC. Acton residency is not required. To learn more, visit theactonwomansclub.org or speak with a member.
Joan Milnes is a member of the Acton Woman’s Club, a retired director of internships and career services in higher education on the North Shore, and a former food columnist for the Beverly Citizen. She lives with her husband in Acton.
