Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Palos Verdes Woman's Club Collection
031
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Palos Verdes Library District, Peninsula Center Library. Local History Center.
Title: Records of the Palos Verdes Woman's Club
Identifier/Call Number: 031
Physical Description:
9.6 Linear Feet
3 letter document boxes and 10 flat storage boxes
Date (inclusive): 1934-2013
Abstract: The collection includes administrative records, scrapbooks and photographs of the Palos Verdes Woman's Club and documents
the philanthropic and social activities of the Club.
Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the Local History Center for access information.
The collection is open for research use. Early scrapbooks in this collection are fragile and deteriorating. Researchers must
use reference copies.
[Name of item], Records of the Palos Verdes Woman's Club (Collection 031). Local History Center, Peninsula Center Library,
Palos Verdes Library District, Rolling Hills Estates, CA.
The Palos Verdes Woman's Club was the first local woman's club on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Established in 1926 when the
Peninsula was first being developed, the goal of the all volunteer organization was "to bring women together interested in
the community welfare of Palos Verdes Estates and to promote this welfare by such means as may from time to time seem expedient."
Mrs. Cora Belle Cheney was the Club's first president.
In its early establishment, the Palos Verdes Woman's Club sponsored community activities including concert recitals, holiday
festivals, library projects, Sunday school programs, Easter services, and other family affairs. Its activities ranged from
cultural and philanthropic events to church and civic affairs. During the Depression, the Club extended its charity to the
families of unemployed parents of children in Harbor City by providing the families with meat and bread. The Club continued
this work until 1933.
The Club continued to grow as the Palos Verdes Peninsula expanded. By the early 1940's, the Club's membership had grown to
120. The Club has evolved over time in response to the needs of the community. It has added new divisions, including the
Garden Section, the Education Section, the Tea Cup Section, the Red Cross Chapter, the Philanthropy Section, and the Bridge
Section.
During World War II, the organization was involved in efforts on behalf of soldiers stationed in Palos Verdes. It organized
a blood donation drive, raised funds for the soldiers, and hosted various events for their benefit. After the war, the Red
Cross Chapter continued assisting the soldiers with blood bank deliveries, veteran's outings, and home service work.
In 1956, the Club formally incorporated as the Palos Verdes Woman's Club, Inc.
In 1959, the Club sponsored the establishment of the Palos Verdes Jr. Woman's Club for young women who wished to participate
in philanthropic and educational activities.
Since 1960, the major fundraising activities of the Palos Verdes Woman's Club have included the Annual Garden Tour and the
Books and Authors Luncheon, the proceeds of which support various philanthropic causes.
Since its inception, the Palos Verdes Woman's Club has played a vital role as a community builder, accepting new responsibilities
as the needs of the community change and changing its plans and direction in response.
Arranged into two series: administrative records and scrapbooks. Administrative records arranged alphabetically by folder
title; thereunder chronologically, with undated materials filed after dated materials. Scrapbooks arranged chronologically.
Includes board meeting minutes, bulletins, by-laws and revisions, clippings, correspondence, event promotional materials,
member yearbooks, photographs, negatives, press releases, scrapbooks, and treasurer's reports.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated to the Palos Verdes Library District by the Palos Verdes Woman's Club.
Initial rehousing and stabilization of materials by Jungeun Hong. Final arrangement and description by Jungeun Hong and Monique
Sugimoto, December 28, 2017, with assistance by Michaela Lee.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Women--California--Societies and clubs
Palos Verdes Estates (Calif.)
Women--Societies and clubs