Women’s Clubs Empower Early Punta Gorda Ladies

Back in the day in the early part of the twentieth century before women got the vote, women’s  clubs were very important for women to gain any political clout.  Through clubs, women  were able  to identify and solve problems within their communities while also gaining influence. These groups empowered women to address critical needs in their community.   Through their involvement in these clubs, more women began to see themselves as civic actors. These clubs also offered women a space for fellowship and learning,  and they became training grounds for learning activist skills such as organizing and speaking.. 

In  Punta Gorda, for example, women of the time formed a civic improvement club among others. The Women’s Civic Improvement Association was organized in 1911 to lobby for fences to keep open- range cattle from wandering into town and grazing on gardens -- leaving unsightly tokens before moving on.The effort was rewarded in August when the City Council adopted an ordinance "prohibiting running loose of horses, mules, jackasses, bulls, steers, cows, sheep, hogs or goats." The following year, the Civic Association and the Cattlemen's Association won the "privilege of fencing in the town.

The Civic Improvement group were also the drivers behind the formation of the Punta Gorda Women’s  Club still in operation today. Judge William F. Cooper sold the land to build a club facility for $1 in December, 1923  to Emma Hancock and Emily Carleton as trustees for the Women's Civic Association. Cooper's only stipulation was that the Tourist Club "should have the use of the auditorium with all lights and conveniences, free of charge to them.

The other two clubs at the time were the Fortnightly Club, which was the first founded,  in 1896 by teacher Norma Pepper.  It was said they discussed Shakespeare, gave reports on literary classics, and "raised their eyebrows at split infinitives.”  A photo of this group is below.   The other club that joined to form the Punta Gorda Woman’s Club in 1925 was the Married Ladies club.  

A Federation charter was granted the newly merged club on August 15, 1925. With this, the members began a drive to raise money for construction for a building.  They sponsored pancake suppers, pageants, rummage sales, dances and many other projects. No little pressure was applied on their husbands. Two members, Mrs. Martin and Miss Vera Speck, loaned substantial amounts. In two years, the clubhouse was ready -- including a stage where former Married Ladies members could perform skits.

Source: Charlotte Sun, January 23, 2000 based on interviews with Punta Gorda Woman’s Club and records of the Club.  

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