History

The Women’s Social Club of Kent offers social and civic support to various community projects, encourages education and to generally make an impact on the community.  It began in 1951 when Sleda Brown, Helen Burns, Lois Little, Jennie Lowe, Nan Meredith, Hazel Peoples, Helen Peoples, Lou Peoples, Joan Thomas, and Lee Watts, met to form a club which they named Young Women’s Social Club. The club changed its name to the Women’s Social Club of Kent to reflect the varied ages in the group as the membership continued to change. They eventually created a constitution and obtained a nonprofit status.  This helped when they began doing community service work.  The meetings were held in the members’ homes.  Two meetings were held each month with the second meeting reserved for social events.  This eventually changed to one meeting a month due to the time constraints for many of the members.

The club wanted to make a major impact on the community by honoring outstanding minority high school students. A scholarship was created which gave recognition to students based on their scholastic achievements, leadership, civic and athletic ability. The club held three to four fundraisers each year to finance the scholarship and other philanthropic endeavors.  These events included fashion show/luncheons,  game nights, raffles, and dinner dances. The club volunteered time at the Outdoor Health Camp and Preventorium consistently until it closed.  Club members have organized diaper drives for women in the community and for the Kent Social Service.  The club has also provided holiday food baskets for needy families.