Dupage Policy Journal

The Bartlett Village Board of Trustees recognized the Bartlett Women’s Club with a proclamation presented by Village Trustee President Kevin Wallace during a recent meeting.

During the Dec. 6 meeting, which was streamed on YouTube, Wallace issued the proclamation commemorating the club’s 85th anniversary, and offered a brief history of the group, highlighting some of its achievements and its efforts to back the village.

“Each decade of Bartlett’s history, since 1937, bears the stamp of the helping hands and the philanthropic efforts of the Bartlett Women’s Club,” Wallace read in the proclamation during the meeting.

According to the organization’s website, it was founded as the Bide-a-Wee Club in 1936 and changed its name to the Bartlett Women’s Club in 1937, and was operated by nine women out of their homes. With no clear purpose initially, the website noted that the group focused on household issues and childcare and organized trips and after changing the name they became more organized and as their ranks increased, their focus shifted toward community service and intellectual stimulation.

The website also noted that the organization has pitched in during war efforts, has honored area veterans, and participated in the development of hospitals, schools and libraries in the community.

Moreover, the website further noted the club founded a Community House in Bartlett in the 1950s as the club’s ranks grew to more than 100 members, putting together a number of projects to beautify the village while backing centennial and bicentennial commemorations. The website also noted the group helped fund the Centennial Gazebo in the village and today the group serves the community and protects the village’s history.