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Women's clubs honored at banquet
Twenty-one women's clubs, past and present, and leaders of those organizations were honored Saturday night during the Fourth Annual Women's History Banquet sponsored by the Friends of the Museum.
"The goal of these clubs is to bring friendship and unity to our community," said emcee Laurice Bentz, who noted that the philanthropic efforts of the groups have contributed greatly to the growth and development of the community, and have provided many scholarships for area youth over the years.
The oldest club in the county was the Guiding Star Rebekah Lodge, which was formed in Mountain Home in 1898 and still maintains a strong presence in the community.
The theme of the banquet was "Women's Organizations, Helping Hands of the Community."
Selected women from organizations, past and present, who have helped make the community what it is today, were honored.
The organizations participating chose the following women as Honorees: Alpha Delta Kappa, Shirley Davies Hering; Alpha Omicron, Rowena Hawley; American Legion Auxiliary, Pat Gridley; Beta Zeta Civic Club, Sheryl Muldowney; Business Professional Women/USA, Esther Fisher; Delta Kappa, Florence Bigelow; Elkettes, Marcie Hamada; Former Civic Club, Betty Wood; Guiding Star Rebekah Lodge #4, Oda Helen Rorke; Hospital Auxiliary, Claire Wetherell; Mountain Home AFB Officers Spouses Club, Jackie Gunn; Mothers of the Military, Rita Everitt; PEO Sisterhood, Ramona Yrazabal; The Order of the Amaranth, Mickey Harding; Beta Sigma Phi, Eleanor Pinkham and Eastern Star, Goldie Logan Shafer.
Other organizations also honored were the DAV Auxiliary, Entre Nous Club, the Civic Club and the War Mothers (WWI), the last three of which no longer exist, although the Civic Club, a major contributor to the community from the 1920s through the 1960s, had many of its former members in attendance at the banquet. The club is most famous for obtaining the grant that created the Carnegie Library in town, which is where the museum is now housed.
The banquet featured gaily decorated tables, a festive atmosphere, a humorous skit by Barbara Bogard and Nancy Sobien, background music by Joan Hobbs and musical entertainment by Caroline Strom who sang two numbers during the evening.
The featured speaker for the evening was Fran Jones, a clinical social worker and board president of the Black History Museum in Boise.
"Club women rule," she told the packed house at the Elk's Lodge.
"It has been said that charity begins at home," she said, "but it doesn't stay there. You are testimony to that.
"As helpers in the community women offer a number of invaluable offerings. They aid, assist sustain and promote" improvements in the lives of people in their communities.
"Those who prosper are said to live large. You ladies, live well as you empower and give hope to those who may not be able to give back to you."
She told the assembled women, and "the men who support them," that "you ladies are women of destiny. You make things happen. You are changing the future as you change the lives of others.
"We've been called the weaker sex. But not club women," she said. "You are warrior women, volunteering to help and serve as you tirelessly teach and train.
"You transform lives by the good you do. Your value is priceless and your worth beyond words.
"You are my sister, my daughter, my mother, my friend and my mentor. You club women wear many faces and you have many hands... hands that show you care.
"Your are the helping hands.
"Our community is a better place because of you. You are the champions of the unmet need."