History of the Woman's Club of Rock Hill

Written by the late Bernice Yeager

The Woman's Club of Rock Hill traces its beginning to a meeting of representatives of the Federated Clubs on March 30, 1938, at the home of Mrs. W.C. Little, Director of the North Central District of the State Federation of Women's Clubs.  The object of the meeting was to create a City Federation from the Amelia Pride, Book Review, Keystone, Perihelion, Euepian, Outlook, and Castalian clubs. On May 25, 1938, another organizational meeting was held.  Mrs. Little voiced the hope that the City Federation would prove to be a clearinghouse for the individual clubs so that more could be accomplished through the unified effort.

Mrs. W.D. McGinnis was elected president of the City Federation, which held its first club meeting on January 6, 1939. Subsequent meeting places included homes, the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce, and Winthrop University. The need for a permanent meeting place was fulfilled in 1971 with the purchase of the Armstrong-Mauldin house, 607 Aiken Avenue, in the Charlotte Avenue/Aiken Avenue Historic District. The house, built in 1921, was purchased after five years of planning for its acquisition.  It has undergone extensive renovation and refurbishing, and, under guidelines, may be rented by the public as well as by club members.

The Woman's Club of Rock Hill became federated in 1942 with the South Carolina Federation.  The structure of the club contained departments and permitted retention of the earlier groups such as Amelia Pride (1896), Outlook (1904), Keystone (1914), and the Saturday Afternoon Club (1922).  Book Review and Euepian were also among the earlier groups included. In time, other study groups were formed to meet the interests and needs of members.

In 1951, the club was affiliated with the General Federation and continued functioning under its structure until membership in both Federations was discontinued for financial reasons in April 1976. The club was able to rejoin both the SC and the General Federation in 1983.

In 1985, club members were requested to serve on Department and Special Committees under the new structure. More recently, Study Groups, which have ranged in number from twelve to twenty over the years, were replaced with Community Service Programs of Arts, Conservation, Education, Home Life, International Outreach, and Public Affairs. Special committees were appointed.

Since inception, the object of the club has remained to further the cultural, educational, and social interests of its members, and to promote interests in civic development and welfare.

The club and individuals have been saluted for achievement in art, literature, government, health, and related areas of concern. A perusal of the minutes and newspaper articles will support the club’s adherence to the goals through a wide range of interests in the welfare of our community, state, country, and world.

Able leaders have served with distinction, guiding the club through reorganization, updating policies and procedures. The club has been supported by dedicated, loyal, and generous members.

With the continued support of our members and the community, the club looks forward to the achievement of higher goals to benefit others.