Where would the world be if not for women? Well, surely, Newtown would not be what it is today without a special sisterhood called the Newtown Woman's Club, GFWC, Inc.

One of the first records of the Newtown Woman's Club dates to April 1968 in The Newtown Bee. It was reported that a group of local women spearheaded an organizational meeting in a resident's home and had invited the president and first vice president of the State Federation of Women's Clubs in hopes of forming a federated chapter.

It was there, on March 25, 1968, that the Newtown Woman's Club was born. It was unanimously voted in by the federation and the group eagerly began forming its many committees.

In May of that year, The Newtown Bee announced the election of club officers, with Lorraine VanderWende as president; and the following committee heads: Margaret Julien, hospitality and luncheons; Vivian Hessler, programs; Estelle Harrigan, ways and means; Maggie McMaster, yearbook; Ingrid Meier, activities; Coke Cramer, finance; and Edna Robertson, publicity.

The Newtown Woman's Club quickly became an active part of the community and created a place for women to band together to pursue things about which they were passionate.

The club grew to have 75 members just six months after forming and soon had a waiting list to get in. In the 1980s, due to the high demand of people interested in joining, the number of members allowed increased when the by-laws were changed, and the group expanded to more than 100 members.

Giving Back

The Newtown Woman's Club may be known for its monthly social luncheons, but as last surviving founder Mrs Cramer said, "You can't just come to lunch."

A fundamental feature of the Newtown Woman's Club has always been for its members to be part of a committee and find ways support the town they love. Throughout the last half-century, the group has worked hard as a service organization to make a difference bettering the lives of those in need, whatever the need may be.

An initiative Mrs Cramer remembers fondly is when the Newtown Woman's Club helped do their part to prevent robbery in Newtown. In February 1971, The Newtown Bee reported that "The Newtown Woman's Club is sponsoring a plan to protect all Newtown residents against burglary."

The group purchased etching tools that were designated to be kept at the Newtown Police Department for residents to borrow. The tools were used to engrave an identification number and phone number on expensive items like TV sets, radios, typewriters, and bicycles. The club even created a sticker people could put on their door to ward off burglars.

In the past, the Newtown Woman's Club has raised funds for their good deeds through a variety of means like tag sales, spring bulb sales, concerts, and raffles. The group frequently donated money to local causes, including the fire companies, schools, and specifically the Newtown Scholarship Association.

Today, a popular annual fundraiser of the club is its pewter ornament sale. Each year the Newtown Woman's Club selects a different location in town to highlight on the ornament - last year they showcased Ferris Acres Creamery - and sells them at local businesses. The money is later donated to a cause the club votes on in the spring.

The Newtown Woman's Club also actively collects tabs from cans to donate to the Shriners; education box tops for Newtown schools; packages of personal hygiene products for the Women's Center of Greater Danbury; and items for FAITH Food Pantry and the Salvation Army pantry all year round.

Arts & Crafts

In addition to members frequently using their sewing and knitting talents to make items for babies and cancer patients at local hospitals, the Newtown Woman's Club has also competed in countless arts and craft shows. The group has been awarded many first place blue ribbons and won the coveted Ethan Allen Christmas tree decorating competition.

Local resident Lilleba Peterson joined the Newtown Woman's Club in 1974 after friends encouraged her to get involved and became very active with the creative facets of the club.

"I was always into the arts and crafts," Mrs Peterson said as she recalled all the many activities the group participated in. "Twice we were in the Labor Day Parade, and we won awards."

In 1980, when the Federated Women's Club was advocating for teaching people about poison control, Mrs Peterson used her expertise to make costumes for members to wear in the parade - like the green chemical mascot named "Mr Yuk" and a poison bottle, which she wore. They also distributed Mr Yuk stickers for families to put on containers that held harmful chemicals to warm children not to touch them.

The following year, Mrs Peterson was in charge of making a nearly 7-foot-tall rooster statue that rode on the back of the club's float in the Labor Day Parade. Next to the colorful bird was a sign that read "It's a good life, crow about it."

"We also made our own clothes, modeled them, and competed in the district and in the state," Mrs Peterson said. Depending on the show's theme, they would model outfits from different eras and countries, and one time they even modeled other members' old-fashioned wedding gowns.

'A Good Group'

On April 26, more than half a dozen members - with a combined total of 200-plus years dedicated to the Newtown Woman's Club - gathered at office to celebrate the news of the club's recent 50th anniversary.The Newtown Bee's

Founding member Mrs Cramer; co-second vice presidents Evelyn Watts and Marie Sturdevant; newsletter and red book writer Judy Rosentel; mother-daughter members Ingrid Meier and Chris Dran; historian Marilyn Alexander; and co-president Millie Anderson all shared why their group is more than just a club.

Growing up in Newtown, Ms Dran always helped her mother make the annual Christmas baskets that the club would donate to a family in need. Her mother did that for 25 years, as well as hosting countless knitting and sewing groups, which inspired Ms Dran from a young age to continue the legacy and be part of the Newtown Woman's Club with her mother.

Whether members are related by blood or not, Ms Rosentel said, the ladies in the club have become a family together and are there for each other for the good times and the bad.

"When my father died you wouldn't believe how many women stepped up and brought things for the reception after the funeral and to my house," Ms Dran said. "They are very caring."

Mrs Watts agrees and emphasized the character of its members saying, "The women are such quality people, they are a pleasure to be around."

"It's a good group," Mrs Cramer added.

The Newtown Woman's Club currently has 58 members and welcomes new members to join. The club meets every Thursday of the month from September through May. Monthly meetings are conducted at various restaurants and, twice a year during the winter months, at the Newtown Congregational Church. Those interested in joining must be co-sponsored by two current members and attend three luncheons before officially becoming a member.

"If you want to make a difference in Newtown," Ms Dran said, "join the Woman's Club."

To learn more about the Newtown Woman's Club, visit nwc-gfwc.org.