GFWC FL Southside Woman's Club of Jacksonville "Women Inspiring Community Spirit"

IN MEMORIAM

Frances Ferber, Nancy Fuge, Anna Fadden, Eloise Slaughter, Julie Wheeler, Dot Alford, Polly Fouraker,
Jacqui Granger, Margaret Cowart, Margaret Lee, Ruth Sidbury, Vera Minton, Louise Bell,
Winnie Lewis, Dot Williamson and Janet DeLoach

The above ladies who passed away will be in our thoughts often and in our hearts always.

"We can't know why the lily has so brief a time to bloom

in the warmth of sunlight's kiss upon its face

Before it folds its fragrance in and bids the world good-night

to rest its beauty in a gentler place

But we can know that nothing that is loved is ever lost,

and no one who has ever touched a heart can really pass away, Because some beauty lingers on in each memory of which they've been a part."

Southside Woman’s Club Clubhouse

Jacksonville, Florida

In 1912 , 16 members of the South Jacksonville Book Club launched a woman’s club and attended the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs Convention. November 23, 1913 with a membership of 57 the new club began. Dues were $3.00 a year and $.25 for guests. Our first clubhouse was built in 1916 & in 1918 our clubhouse was requisitioned for the war effort. In 1921 we inaugurated “The Roaring Twenties” by building a new clubhouse. Amid hurricanes that rocked Florida, our clubhouse stayed strong during the 1940’s and in 1955 we had to move as a new Expressway forced us to sell the clubhouse. Highlights of our years together included the organizing of a Ladies Auxiliary for Baptist Hospital, winning the District IV silver try for achievement in the Fine Arts Festival, 1st place in the state on the FFWC Honor Points Award. Also, noteworthy 1st place as the Outstanding Charitable Organization. We proudly celebrated our 100th Birthday in 2013. With heavy hearts & facing increasing maintenance costs in 2015 a decision was made to sell our clubhouse. Currently the Club meets at a local hotel and our motto “Women Inspiring Community Spirit” is stronger than ever! The history of our great country and this long-established Southside Woman’s Club go hand & hand, but the value added to the Jacksonville, Florida community is and continues to be priceless. While our clubhouse was a building, our true value as an organization is that we are home no matter where we meet!

Contributed by: Jacinta Littlefield

President - GFWC Florida - Southside Woman’s Club of Jacksonville, Inc.