News : End of a long local tradition: Vinton Women's Club to disband after banquet

In 2011, the former Women of the Year gathered during the VWC banquet; the club is now disbanding.

For the first time since 1947, the Vinton Women’s Club will gather in the spring and not name a Woman of the Year.

Due to shrinking membership, the club will disband after Wednesday’s spring banquet. All women are invited to the 6 p.m. event at Trinity Lutheran Church.

The Club was unique from the beginning, says Kathie Ervin. Most clubs at that time offered membership via invitation only. The VWC, however, offered membership to any local woman.

Officially organized on May 20, 1947, as part of the Federated Women’s Club of Iowa, the VWC named Mrs. Frank Polking as its first Woman of the Year. That last honoree was Marjorie Rouse, who received that honor in 2014. In 2011, the year the club named Connie Ogier as its honoree, the previous Women of the Year were invited. Many came and posed together for a photo.

The club’s purpose was to assist in philanthropic and charitable work as well as to “promote social and civic culture and to make of itself a power for the good of the community.”

Organizing members were Eunice Wright and Mildred Ervin’ Marietta Miller was the first club President.

Throughout its 68 years of existence, the club has sponsored many events and projects. An annual bake sale and bazaar was a tradition for many years. The club raised money for scholarships for local graduates, made community service donation to Virginia Gay Hospital and several organizations including Girl Scouts, Special Olympics and others.

One of its newer events has been a reception each fall for new and returning Vinton-Shellsburg teachers.

The club also formed a Newcomers group to welcome women to the community, offered bridge lessons and formed a variety of departments, including Slymnastics and Current Affairs.

Records show that the club began with 75 charter members in 1947, and had grown to 268 members by 1963. Current membership is now 38.

A collection of albums and other memorabilia will be on display during the banquet.