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8.C. - Page 25 of 54 William Kostura, Historic Resource Evaluation of the Redwood City Woman Club Activities of the club During the club's early years, regular meetings were on first and third Thursdays at 2 p.m., and the executive board met on last Mondays at 2. Aside from these meetings, the club had robust programming. The activities fell into four main categories: educational, beneficial, fundraising, and social, and these often overlapped. The women of the club wanted to develop their intellect and to use their abilities to have a positive effect on the larger community. By doing so they could fulfill another need, to socialize with each other away from the home, and to be effective in the world as women, independently of their husbands. To some degree their activities reflected talents that were traditionally thought of as women's talents, such as hosting parties, cooking, and making clothing, while at other times the members pushed the envelope of what had generally been considered the sphere of women. As mentioned above, there were special committees among the members for programs, hospitality, and decorations, as well as separate sections for dramatic programs and lectures on history and landmarks. Even before the clubhouse was built, the club held lectures on art, literature, health, civics, history and landmarks, forestry, the work of the Red Cross, parliamentary law, "Practical Results of Right Thinking," "An Hour with Musical Composers," "The Decay of Our Merchant Marine," and "Sights and Scenes Along the Equator." Some lectures were given by members and others were by invitees from out of town, at least one a man. Once the clubhouse was built, it was easier to hold programs. A small selection is listed below: 1911. On October 19th the completion of the clubhouse was celebrated with an informal reception. Mrs. Cumberson made an address from the front porch, an American flag was raised, and Mrs. John D. Gish sang the "Star-Spangled Banner." Indoors, Mrs. Isabel Folsom played a piano solo, Mrs. Gish sang the Scottish ballad "Annie Laurie," Mrs. W. C. Kennedy of San Jose read some verses she had composed, and Mrs. Frank Wentworth sang a solo with accompaniment by Miss Katherine Wolfenden. Refreshments were served to end the reception, but members and their guests reconvened in the evening for dancing in the auditorium. 1911. Near the end of October a three-day flower show was held in a tent in the club's back yard. Exhibits were judged, an orchestra played each evening, a dance was held one evening, and all of the flowers were auctioned at the end. This was the second public event at the newly opened clubhouse. 549