The Woman’s Club of Stuart Executive Board

Pat Schmader – President 

Barbara Peard, 1st Vice President -  Program Chair

Fern Spivy, 2nd Vice President - Hospitality Chair

Jackie Lester, 3rd Vice President - Membership Chair

Marge Robaton – Recording Secretary 

Lois Genuario – Corresponding Secretary

Cathy Kauffman – Treasurer

Marie Lardiere – Asst. Treasurer

 

 

Brief History of the Woman’s Club of Stuart

 The Woman’s Club of Stuart, which celebrates its 96th anniversary in October 2009, is the oldest women’s organization to operate continuously in Martin County.  It is also the largest Woman’s Club in District 10 of the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs. 

 The charter that was granted to the Woman’s Club of Stuart stated in part “…Object of this club shall be to promote and maintain a free public library in Stuart, to help promote and establish a park system in Stuart, to work for the establishment of a public hospital in Stuart…”

 The first object in the Charter – a free public library – was the first major project undertaken by the women.  From its inception, the clubhouse was used as a library.  The library was staffed by the members, who conducted community library drives to obtain books, held fund-raising events to buy books, and operated a book hospital to repair books.

 One of the first post-war projects was to bring the statue Abundance to Stuart.  France sent this statue, valued at $25,000 in 1939, to the New York World Fair.  After the World’s Fair, Abundance was brought out of storage and to the City of Stuart.  The Woman’s Club planned to place her in Haney’s Circle but a storm of Community objections to the placement of the “naked lady” forced the Club to place her on the Courthouse grounds.

In 1961, Abundance was legally presented to the City of Stuart via a bill of sale for $1.00 and moved to the City Park.  In 1991, Abundance was finally moved to Haney’s Circle by the City of Stuart as part of the downtown revitalization project.  Mayor James Christe dedicated a new plaque recording this gift from the Woman’s Club.

 The Martin County Library Association, an all citizens group, was formed by the Woman’s Club to build a county library after World War II.  This independent organization conducted a campaign, which resulted in the Martin County Library opening in 1957, and containing 7,500 books donated by the Woman’s Club.  

 In 1950, a scholarship program was initiated, which provided a graduate of Martin County High School a $100 scholarship. The Woman’s Club of Stuart now provides three grants of at least $1,000 each to graduates from Martin County High School, South Fork High School, and Jensen Beach High School.  Many community groups such as the Environmental Studies Council, Hope Rural School, Helping People Succeed, and Canine Companions receive support from the Woman’s Club of Stuart. 

 In 1964, the Pioneer Occupational Center (now known as the Helping People Succeed, Inc) was started with a $10,000 grant from the Retarded Children’s Association.  Ray Radtke, the first director of the Center, described the facility that the center had been given, an obsolete school building in Port Salerno.  The Woman’s Club members offered to help in refurbishing this old building and with the help of local merchants, who provided materials at cost, the women made new draperies and provided new Formica tops for the tables.  In answer to the question “What else can we do?” Radtke cited the need for social activities for his clients.  Accordingly, a Christmas Party was given by the Woman’s Club for the families Helping People Succeed (HPS) serve. This custom continued  until two years ago when the number of clients served by HSP grew beyond numbers the Woman’s Club could accommadate in the clubhouse; however, we provide about 200 holiday gifts bags for the children each year.