Plains Woman’s Club marks a century of service

It was teatime at the Paradise Center this Saturday as residents gathered to celebrate 100 years of service by the Plains Woman’s Club.  

“For the last 100 years, the general Federation of Women’s Club members that makes up the Plains Woman’s Club have worked tirelessly for the betterment of our community,” said past Plains Woman’s Club President Debbi Kirschbaum. “The things that a group of women who come together with the same mindset can accomplish is amazing. Much has changed in the last hundred years, but the one thing that has not changed is the desire to improve that which is around us, an investment in our community. Since the beginning, Plains Woman’s Club members were instrumental in creating the Fred Young Park and Dorothy Johnson Park, the library, and clean water for the town of Plains, setting an example for those of us to follow.” 

The Plains Woman’s Club is affiliated with the Montana State Women’s Club with almost 600 members statewide in 16 communities across the state. The Plains club is part of a national organization called the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) with over 60,000 members in all 50 states and over a dozen countries. Montana saw the first women’s club organized in Deer Lodge in 1898. 

The local club has a long list of contributions to the community providing educational activities such as Shakespeare in the Parks, Montana Children’s Theater, youth poetry and short story contests, Books for Babies and sponsoring a $500 high school scholarship. Plains Woman’s Club sponsors many events at the log schoolhouse on Railroad Avenue.  

A light luncheon was served including drawings for prizes and special recognition for the oldest women present, Margaret Olmstead at 92, and youngest being 6-year-old Ember Paquet. 

Current Montana State Women’s Club President Karen Gustavsen addressed the audience, talking about the many locations that the various women’s clubs are actively serving their communities.  

“Culbertson has been working for a year to raise funds to repair the community pool. Glacier Park worked with the volunteer fire department to purchase four radar feedback signs to slow down traffic on two major roadways through their town. Helena has created a pantry of health and hygiene products for those in need. Fort Benton supports a weekend backpack program, providing snacks and easily prepared meals, distributed to children who would go hungry when school is closed.” 

Plains Woman’s Club President Jamie Schmidt recalled the creation of Fred Young Park roughly 100 years ago. 

“It was sticks and dirt behind the train depot. It was very unsightly,” she said. “The ladies came together with the community and made it beautiful into what it is today.

“As present members we try to honor the past as we look to the future,” said Kirschbaum. “Membership has ebbed and waned over the years bringing varied talents to the table which has helped our club to continue to grow. I’m proud to be a Plains Woman’s Club member, and I encourage those that want to learn more about our club to come to a meeting. Hopefully, you will join us on our journey to the next hundred years of making our community better through our volunteerism” she said. 

For those that are interested in becoming members of Plain Woman’s Club, they can contact at pwc59859@yahoo.com.