Wave Staff Report
WHITTIER — County Supervisor Janice Hahn honored the East Whittier Woman’s Improvement Club at the March 24 meeting of the county Board of Supervisors on the occasion of Women’s History Month.
The club, which is dedicated to community improvement and preserving local history, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. The club is believed to be the oldest women’s club in the eastern part of the county, a Hahn spokesperson said.
“The story of the East Whittier Woman’s Improvement Club is women’s history,” Hahn said. “At a time when women did not yet have the right to vote, when their voices were too often left out of public life, a group of determined women in Whittier came together with a vision to improve their community, to create opportunity, and to build something lasting.”
Among the Club’s notable accomplishments are preserving historic buildings such as its own clubhouse, which began as a pump station for the East Whittier Land and Water Company before being acquired by the club in 1908. The historic building now serves not only as a clubhouse but as an events venue.
Members of the club also were instrumental in the restoration of the Pio Pico Adobe in Whittier, which served as the home of California Gov. Pio de Jesus Pico before and during the Mexican American War.
For the presentation, Hahn was joined by the club’s current President Jan\ Daigneault, incoming President Mary Pat Killian and 99 year-old past President Sylvia Foltz, in addition to other members of the club.
“Women started in 1901 saying, ‘You know, the men have a club — called the pub. And we need a club to learn about current events, improve our arts, and have some place for the community to gather and be women and be leaders in our community,’ said Daigneault, who thanked Hahn for the recognition.
“Since 1901, our mission has remained the same: to foster friendship, support our community, and preserve this special place for future generations of women.”
“It’s been a joy to be a member of the East Whittier Woman’s Club,” Foltz said. “I first joined the club in 1951 when we had a junior group, and it’s just been a big part of my life.”
