Women's Federated Clubs
Article researched and written by Lily Davis, 2002 intern
The Federation of Women’s Clubs offered the women’s clubs of Petoskey the opportunity to come together in common cause under one roof and work as a united front. The Federation was unique from all the individual women’s clubs in that it allowed clubs or societies with men as members to join, however, only women members were allowed to vote. In order to gain membership to the Federation, a club or society had to fill out an application that the secretary would then present before the Board of Directors. If the application was accepted then the said club or society would have to pay a fee and sign the Federation’s Constitution. An individual could also become a member of the Federation without belonging to a club or society previously. To do so, the individual had to make a yearly payment of 25 cents. The Federation had positions of general officers which consisted of a president, a vice president, a treasurer, a secretary, and six directors. All of the general officers were elected by a ballot.
The Federation of Women’s Clubs were deeply involved in the Petoskey community. The Federation each May, for a number of years, hosted an event called May Festival. At the May Festival concerts were put on and guests enjoyed lovely sounds from talented musicians. At the third annual May Festival the orchestra performed where crowds were delighted by the tenor Mr. Gilson, and also heard the sweet voices of Mrs. Leon Chichester and Mrs. Morgan Curtis, the women receiving an enthusiastic ovation from the attendees. The May Festival was simply an event to bring some joy and cheer to Petoskey residents, it was not a fundraiser and brought no money in. Rather the Federation did it simply to spread happiness in their community.
One of the major projects the Federation took on was the Mineral Well. The Federation created a committee who worked to beautify Mineral Well Park and improve the conditions of the well, where many people were going daily for water. However, the women were stalled in their plans for the park due to funds. But then, Mrs. William L. Curtis donated a stunning bronze fountain through the Mineral Well Park committee, letting the committee move forward with their plans to beautify the park. They also had plans to build a pagoda over the well, repair the building, and also wanted to install cement walkways in front of the building. The Federation was committed to giving back to their Petoskey community and put money into projects that would give a new shine to the town.
The Federation also took part in charitable causes. One evening in Petoskey, a Belgium relief concert was planned. The Federation of Women’s Clubs took charge in selling the tickets and handling the receipts while working with Professor McCollum who largely organized the evening. Around 400 tickets were sold for the night. The Petoskey City Band, assisted by Mrs. Chichester, Miss Babcock, and the young men’s glee club performed at the relief concert. Graciously, everything for the evening was donated and the night did not cost anything to put on. In all, around $100 was raised to send to Philadelphia to buy food for women and children of Belgium. The Federation of Women’s Clubs frequently took part in charitable causes, raising money for those in need, while also doing work to benefit the immediate Petoskey community.
One of the biggest fundraisers the Federation conducted was Flag Day when they sold flags. Flag Day was conducted under the support of the child welfare department of the Federation of Women’s Clubs and the Flag Day committee. Mrs. William L. Curtis was the chairman of the Flag Day committee and Mrs. Alice Rosenthal was the vice-chairman. They worked out of the Perry Hotel for the day, selling flags to raise money for the Michigan Child Welfare League. In total, $342.30 was raised that day. Through organizing in various committees, the Federation was able to dedicate time to an array of causes and play an integral role in the Petoskey community. The Federation of Women’s Clubs brought women ranging from young to old, or with differing interests such as someone in the Art Study Club or someone in the Curtis Park Club, together to work as one cohesive unit for philanthropic, literary, or educational purposes, like their Constitutional articles outline. The Federation was a force with powerful women behind it, looking to strengthen the place they loved and called home.
The Federation of Women’s Clubs offered the women’s clubs of Petoskey the opportunity to come together in common cause under one roof and work as a united front. The Federation was unique from all the individual women’s clubs in that it allowed clubs or societies with men as members to join, however, only women members were allowed to vote. In order to gain membership to the Federation, a club or society had to fill out an application that the secretary would then present before the Board of Directors. If the application was accepted then the said club or society would have to pay a fee and sign the Federation’s Constitution. An individual could also become a member of the Federation without belonging to a club or society previously. To do so, the individual had to make a yearly payment of 25 cents. The Federation had positions of general officers which consisted of a president, a vice president, a treasurer, a secretary, and six directors. All of the general officers were elected by a ballot.
The Federation of Women’s Clubs were deeply involved in the Petoskey community. The Federation each May, for a number of years, hosted an event called May Festival. At the May Festival concerts were put on and guests enjoyed lovely sounds from talented musicians. At the third annual May Festival the orchestra performed where crowds were delighted by the tenor Mr. Gilson, and also heard the sweet voices of Mrs. Leon Chichester and Mrs. Morgan Curtis, the women receiving an enthusiastic ovation from the attendees. The May Festival was simply an event to bring some joy and cheer to Petoskey residents, it was not a fundraiser and brought no money in. Rather the Federation did it simply to spread happiness in their community.
One of the major projects the Federation took on was the Mineral Well. The Federation created a committee who worked to beautify Mineral Well Park and improve the conditions of the well, where many people were going daily for water. However, the women were stalled in their plans for the park due to funds. But then, Mrs. William L. Curtis donated a stunning bronze fountain through the Mineral Well Park committee, letting the committee move forward with their plans to beautify the park. They also had plans to build a pagoda over the well, repair the building, and also wanted to install cement walkways in front of the building. The Federation was committed to giving back to their Petoskey community and put money into projects that would give a new shine to the town.
The Federation also took part in charitable causes. One evening in Petoskey, a Belgium relief concert was planned. The Federation of Women’s Clubs took charge in selling the tickets and handling the receipts while working with Professor McCollum who largely organized the evening. Around 400 tickets were sold for the night. The Petoskey City Band, assisted by Mrs. Chichester, Miss Babcock, and the young men’s glee club performed at the relief concert. Graciously, everything for the evening was donated and the night did not cost anything to put on. In all, around $100 was raised to send to Philadelphia to buy food for women and children of Belgium. The Federation of Women’s Clubs frequently took part in charitable causes, raising money for those in need, while also doing work to benefit the immediate Petoskey community.
One of the biggest fundraisers the Federation conducted was Flag Day when they sold flags. Flag Day was conducted under the support of the child welfare department of the Federation of Women’s Clubs and the Flag Day committee. Mrs. William L. Curtis was the chairman of the Flag Day committee and Mrs. Alice Rosenthal was the vice-chairman. They worked out of the Perry Hotel for the day, selling flags to raise money for the Michigan Child Welfare League. In total, $342.30 was raised that day. Through organizing in various committees, the Federation was able to dedicate time to an array of causes and play an integral role in the Petoskey community. The Federation of Women’s Clubs brought women ranging from young to old, or with differing interests such as someone in the Art Study Club or someone in the Curtis Park Club, together to work as one cohesive unit for philanthropic, literary, or educational purposes, like their Constitutional articles outline. The Federation was a force with powerful women behind it, looking to strengthen the place they loved and called home.
Women's Federated Clubs parade float
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Click the button to the left to read the minutes of the club meetings.The Women's Federated Clubs were actually a group of several different women's clubs in the city. The Federated Clubs were a national organization. The Petoskey Federated Clubs were:
The Woman's Club The Art Study Club The Curtis Park Club The Lockwood Hospital Auxiliary The Fortnightly Club The Rebekah Lodge The Petoskey Hospital Auxiliary Women's Christian Temperance Union The Assembly Study Club The Home Benevolent Association LOTMM Lodge (Maccabee's) Bible Study and Literary Club Equal Suffrage Association |
The Art Study Club published a booklet each year outlining the monthly meetings and course of study. The club, one of the longest-running in Petoskey, was still meeting in the 1990s.
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The Federation of Women's Clubs was involved in many activities, including Woman Suffrage. They sponsored speakers and sent members to conventions.
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