Watsontown Women’s Guild

February 13th, 2012

 

WATSONTOWN WOMEN’S GUILD
In the autumn of 1907, a few young women from the Reformed Church decided to sew for some of the needy children in the Sabbath School classes. They had no money or organization, but a great desire to help others. Their stock in trade was some old clothing and a great enthusiasm. Their first contribution in cash was $5 made by William Curtis Wagner. Later an appeal was made for funds through the Watsontown newspaper, The Record and Star. The response was most gratifying. Soon the demand for clothing was so great that more workers were needed and some of the young women from the Presbyterian Church were invited to join in the work. In 1908 an organization was effected and The Watsontown Guild was formed. First members were Emeline Sturgis (Mrs. W.G. Thomas), C. Mae Morgan (Mrs. Roy Beagle), Helen Hilliard (Mrs. L.G. Harrod), Anna McCormick, Edith Wagner, Bessie Wagner (Mrs. Jay H. Wagner), Sara McFarland, Reba Vincent (Mrs. Charles McDowell), Helen McClure (Mrs. Edward F. Rabe), and Belle Burr (Mrs. Percy W. Hastings). As the demand for clothing increased,
members representing other churches were invited to join the organization. Membership has always been by invitation. 
Anything that would benefit the welfare of the community interested the Guild. It has been instrumental in placing many children in proper homes, providing glasses, crutches, wheel chairs, tonsillectomies, and milk for under-nourished children. Finally, through the TB committee, a school nurse was secured. At first the Guild helped pay her salary.  Later the work of the mass X-ray was undertaken and many cases of incipient and active turberculosis were discovered in time for help. During World War I, a local Red Cross was organized through the efforts of Guild members. This later became an auxiliary of the Milton Red Cross. The Guild sponsored the Girl Scouts and raised a quota of $1,100 toward a Girl Scout Camp.
Money for the work of the Guild has been raised in numerous ways ~ dues paid by the members, card parties, rummage and food sales. Each year a major effort was made to raise money ~ from this and contributions, funds were always available for anything undertaken. As the government extended its assistance in the form of unemployment compensation and social security, the Guild has had few calls of actual need, but it continues to find ways to create a more loving and beautiful community to raise a family.
Presidents that have served:
                                                1908                                                       1944                                                       1980
                                                1909                                                       1945                                                       1981
                                                1910                                                       1946                                                       1982
                                                1911                                                       1947                                                       1983
                                                1912                                                       1948                                                       1984
                                                1913                                                       1949                                                       1985
                                                1914                                                       1950                                                       1986
                                                1915                                                       1951                                                       1987
Miss Esther Bucher         1916                                                       1952                                                       1988
                                                1917                                                       1953                                                       1989
                                                1918                                                       1954                                                       1990
                                                1919                                                       1955                                                       1991
Miss Esther Bucher         1920                                                       1956                                                       1992
                                                1921                                                       1957                                                       1993
                                                1922                                                       1958                                                       1994
Miss Margaret Allen       1923                                                       1959                                                       1995
                                                1924                                                       1960                                                       1996
Miss Emma Jacoby          1925                                                       1961                                                       1997
                                                1926                                                       1962                                                       1998
                                                1927                                                       1963                                                       1999
                                                1928                                                       1964                                                       2000
                                                1929                                                       1965                                                       2001
                                                1930                                                       1966                                                       2002
                                                1931                                                       1967                                                       2003
                                                1932                                                       1968                                                       2004
                                                1933                                                       1969                                                       2005
                                                1934                                                       1970                                                       2006
                                                1935                                                       1971                                                       2007
                                                1936                                                       1972                                                       2008
                                                1937                                                       1973                                                       2009
                                                1938                                                       1974                                                       2010
                                                1939                                                       1975                                                       2011
                                                1940                                                       1976                                                       2012
                                                1941                                                       1977                                                       2013
                                                1942                                                       1978                                                       2014
                                                1943                                                       1979                                                       2015

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