Women's Helpful Birthday Club Records, MS 201, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.
The Women's Helpful Birthday Club was begun in Ames in 1904 by Rena Mather as a social club for the women in her neighborhood. The club was to meet in the homes of members on dates near their birthdays. In 1979 it was decided that the club would continue only as a social group without officers or dues, and eventually the club ceased to exist. This collection includes the constitution, bylaws, standing rules, news clippings, report, history, and ledgers of the Women's Helpful Birthday Club.
The Women's Helpful Birthday Club originated as a group of farm women in north Grant Township, Story County, Iowa. Begun in 1904, the club was formally organized June 12, 1907, at the home of one of the founders, Mrs. J. I. (Rena) Mather. Mrs. Elmer Sowers (then Laura Kyle) and Mrs. W. A. Taylor were the other founding members. Rena Mather thought the club should be established so that neighborhood women would have a time to meet and provide more social contacts and cultural activities. In addition to the meetings which often included educational programs, club members also often had a picnic each year and conducted philanthropic activities. Membership was originally limited to twelve, and the club was to meet in the homes of members on dates near their birthdays. At each meeting, the members would present the hostess with a birthday gift. Meetings were held on alternate Wednesdays - "sale days", when the men of the farms went to town. Education programs were presented at each meeting and special events were held several times a year. Eventually, the birthday gifts were dispensed with, and the club instead made donations to children's homes and other worthy causes. This was in keeping with the club motto, "Lend a Helping Hand."
This collection (1925-1979, undated) includes the constitution, bylaws, standing rules, news clippings, report, history, and ledgers of the Women's Helpful Birthday Club. The ledgers in the collection begin in 1925. The earlier records of the club were destroyed in a fire at Laura Kyle's home on February 18, 1925. The ledgers continue until April 11, 1979, when it was decided that the club would continue only as a social group without officers or dues. The ledgers contain meeting minutes, records of dues paid and meeting attendance.