Posing with their bicycles outside the Lakewood Community Center in September of 1940 were seven Lakewood-area music lovers: (in no particular order) Mrs. R.W. McMahon, Mrs. Bert Sweeting, Mrs. William Panman, Mrs. George Hellyer, Mrs. Brian Shera, Mrs. W.W. Williver and (believed to be) Anne Baker. These ladies were part of a volunteer committee involved in the Tacoma Philharmonic Association membership drive. Several of them were also part of a local music appreciation study group and they used their bicycles to travel to each other's homes for meetings. (T.Times 9-14-40, p. 5)

Tacoma Philharmonic Association (Tacoma); Membership campaigns--Lakewood; Bicycles & tricycles--Lakewood;

The room is swaying to the swinging sounds of Stan Miskoski and his orchestra at the University Union Club's Sadie Hawkins dance on March 15, 1941. The orchestra is attired in keeping with the Dogpatch theme of the Club's first costume ball in two years. Sadie Hawkins Day was an American Folk event started by Al Capp in his Li'l Abner comic strip. Decades before women's liberation, it was the day when emboldened females could ask out the man of their choice.

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Miskoski, Stan;

Opera group at Y.W.C.A. (T. Times)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma);

Pacific Coast Fire Chiefs Convention. Men with flag on roof of Winthrop Hotel, Washington Building in background. Photograph taken on July 23, 1940.

Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Coast Association of Fire Chiefs (Tacoma); Flags--United States; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Washington State Pharmaceutical Association State Convention - Tacoma - July 14-17, 1940. Large group of men seated on roof top. Some 400 druggists were expected to attend the Tacoma convention held at the Winthrop Hotel including P.H. Brady, chairman of the Washington State Board of Pharmacy. Election of new officers chosen for the upcoming year saw a Tacoman, Everett Riser, selected as president of the association. (T.Times 7-11-1940, p. 12-article on convention; T.Times 7/17/1940 p.11-story )

Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pharmacists--Tacoma--1940-1950;

College of Puget Sound sororities plan dances in April of 1939. L. to r: Frances Hoss, Alpha Beta Upsilon; Erna Brenner, Delta Alpha Gamma; Dorothy Shaw, Kappa Sigma Theta; Marjorie Wickens, Lambda Sigma Chi; Kathleen Sherrill, Alpha Beta Upsilon. (T.Times 5/6/1939, p.7)

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

Girl Scout Day Camp at Point Defiance C.C.C. Camp. Thirteen young girls, Brownie age, work on crafts at a picnic table. The Brownies came to camp on Fridays. They are decorating covers for their mother's telephone directory. The Tacoma Day Camp was entering its fourth season and for the first time it was located at the abandoned CCC camp below Ft. Nisqually. Girls 7-18, whether they were Girl Scouts or not, were invited to attend. The girls are, beginning in the foreground, Marlene Frieshem, Betty Ogden, Eleanor Jones, Barbara Packard, Amelia Stacy, Alice Condon, Delores Wright, Frances Thorness, Joanne Cinilli, Patsy Buffum, Delores Foster, Gwen Adams and Rosemary Neidum. (T. Times 6/18/1939, pg. 9; picture 7/8/1939, pg. 6)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

Girl Scouts Day Camp on June 27, 1939, held at the Point Defiance C.C.C. Camp. Three teenage girls busily work at a picnic table, assisted with macrame projects by two women wearing "gypsy" costumes. 1939 was the fourth season for the Tacoma GS day camp and the first year that it was held at the abandoned CCC camp below Ft. Nisqually. It began on June 19th and ran for five weeks. Girls, aged 7-18, were invited to attend. (T. Times 6/13/1939, pg. 9 article only)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Teenagers--1930-1940;

Girl Scout Day Camp at Point Defiance C.C.C. Camp. Five young girls from the "Pioneer" unit roasting hotdogs on sticks over an open fire, learning the art of stick cookery. Others prepare the lemonade supply. For the first time, the four year old day camp would be located at the abandoned CCC camp near Ft. Nisqually. Intended to give the girls a real outdoor experience, the camp included instructions and practice on preparing your own meal over an open fire. The Scouts around the fire are, left to right, Lucy McIntyre, Laydel Green, Juanita Clark, Phyllis Elsworth, Ruth Strom and Dorothy Allen. (T. Times 6/13/1939, pg. 9; picture 7/8/1939, pg. 6)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Outdoor cookery--Tacoma; Campfires; Frankfurters--Tacoma; Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma);

Room inside Tacoma Club. The Tacoma Club, located on the 17th floor of the Washington Building, was organized and incorporated in November, 1936. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma);

Card room w/small tables and piano in corner, believed to be inside the Tacoma Club. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma);

Dining room w/many tables set, believed to be inside the Tacoma Club. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Dining rooms--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1939. Ladies musical club taken at YWCA - about 50 ladies on stage with man in center holding book. Book on music stand open.

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma);

On June 17, 1942, a Junior League member, believed to be Helen Hurley, helped to register blood donor Mrs. Gene Courtney (left). The club women were serving as receptionists at Tacoma General Hospital and St. Josephs Hospital as a blood drive took place to build up the plasma stores for US Armed Forces. Tacoma had registered 640 volunteer donors. The goal was 2,000 across the county. (T. Times 6/24/1942, pg. 10)

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Medical aspects--Tacoma;

Women from Tacoma's Junior League served as receptionists at Tacoma General and St. Joseph's Hospitals during a few weeks beginning at the end of June 1942. They were assisting in the volunteer blood drive for the US Armed Forces. When volunteers went to the hospitals to donate, the Junior League ladies would greet, assist and direct them to the doctors. Pictured left to right are Martha Gonyea, Charlotte Rowland, Helen Hurley, Jean Marion, Kathryn King and Jessie McCormick. Over 640 persons had registered as blood donors; the goal was 2,000. (T. Times 6/24/1942 p.10)

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Medical aspects--Tacoma; Gonyea, Martha; Rowland, Charlotte; Hurley, Helen; Marion, Jean; King, Kathryn; McCormick, Jessie;

On June 17, 1942, three members of Tacoma's Junior League volunteer as receptionists for a blood drive. They are, left to right, Kathryn King, Charlotte Rowland and Jean Marion. The blood donated will be used for the US Armed Forces. Junior League volunteers were receiving and caring for donors at both Tacoma General and St. Josephs. The county goal was 2,000 donors. (TNT 6/24/1942, pg. 1)

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Medical aspects--Tacoma; Rowland, Charlotte; Marion, Jean; King, Kathryn;

Mrs. H.A. Anderson (left) and Mrs. J.L. M'Keenan posed at the home of Mrs. Espeland for a publicity picture for the Navy Wives Club. Mrs. Espeland is probably Elvira Espeland whose husband Berger was in the United States Navy. The two ladies pictured are co-chairmen of a card party to be given by the Club on June 30th at the Elks Club. The public was invited. (T. Times 6/27/1942, pg. 4)

Navy Wives Club (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma;

The Spinster Club held their annual tea at the University - Union Club on October 19, 1941. A young unidentified woman is pictured here with a floral piece in shape of an "S." Despite its name, the club was not restricted to unmarried women. It served as a social club for Tacoma girls, many from prominent local families. (T. Times, 10-25-41, p. 3) [Also dated 10-18-1941]

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flowers--Tacoma--1940-1950; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Members of the planning committee for the University Union's Club pre-Christmas tea, scheduled for December 2, 1941, pose for this publicity shot at the Club. Standing, left to right, are Katherine (Mrs. John) Mueller, Mrs. Harry A.D. Smith, Kathryn (Mrs. H.R.) Pirret and Antoinette (Mrs. Harold K.) Nichols. Seated, L to R, Dorothy (Mrs. Jess) Read, Jane (Mrs. Edwin) Warren, Esther (Mrs. C.M.) Langhorne, and Marian (Mrs. J. Corning) Todd. (T.Times 11/29/1941, pg. 5)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Mueller, Katherine; Pirret, Kathryn; Nichols, Antoinette; Read, Dorothy; Warren, Jane; Langhorne, Esther; Todd, Marian;

Publicity for Young Men's Business Club (Y.M.B.C.) sponsored wrestling matches at Armory. The matches were scheduled for October 24, 1941. The money raised would go to the athletic fund of the 103rd Anti Tank Unit at Fort Lewis. The poster promises All Star Army - Civilian matches in both boxing and wrestling. The officer seated at right has been identified as William M. Adams. He joined the National Guard in 1931 and stayed 44 years, retiring as a full colonel. (Identification provided by a reader)

Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Adams, William M.;

October 15-30, 1942 was the fund raising campaign for Tacoma's War Chest. The War Chest was a branch of the Community Chest that specifically funded wartime charities, such as the USO and refugee relief groups. Part of the publicity for the upcoming drive was a play that emphasized that volunteers would be going to homes and businesses to collect donations and pledges for the drive.The campaign was very successful, it went over the top of the goal at $369,822, two days before the end of the drive.

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Publicity for Community Chest, photograph taken at the Tacoma Community Chest office, Room 409, Provident Building. A new committee of educators had recently been formed to introduce Tacoma public school students to the War Chest and its aims. Frank Gorow, director of the Department of Visual Education in Tacoma Public Schools, displays one of the War Chest posters at a committee meeting on August 12, 1942. Pictured, left to right, are Gorow, Miss Mary T. Pakenham, Mrs. Myrtle MacLennan, Miss Lola E. Friars and Mrs. M.D. (Blanche) Wilkinson. (T.Times 8/13/1942 p.4)

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Teachers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gorow, Frank; Pakenham, Mary; MacLennan, Myrtle; Friars, Lola; Wilkinson, Blanche;

Members of the Red Cross Motor Corps load materials into their vehicle for transportation to Ft. Lewis. Pictured left to right are Mrs. Lyle Abrahamson, Mrs. Hazel Rushmore, Mrs. D. M. Woods and Mrs. Clinton Reynolds.

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Central Labor Council donation to Pierce County Foundation. [Also dated 02-17-1943]

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gifts; Central Labor Council (Tacoma); Pierce County Foundation (Tacoma);

In 1943 the Poggie Club raffled off an Evinrude Zephyr outboard motor to raise money for their annual Father-Son Derby. Eugene Rubattino, right, was the proud winner. He received his prize at the Washington Hardware Company, 921-23 Commerce Street, from (l to r) Clarence Johnson, Club president, and Everett L. "Tiny" Reynolds, Club Sec. (T. Times 5/5/1943 p.14)

Poggie Club (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat engines; Rubattino, Eugene; Johnson, Clarence; Reynolds, Everett L.; Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma);

Three couples smile for the camera on February 23, 1943 at the social event following the installation of new officers at the Rudder Club, 1131 Commerce St.

Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);

The new Board of the Spinster Club. Officers are, left to right, Virginia Austin, Ann Baillargeon, Katherine Foss and Mary Marush. Members of the Club will be hosting a dance honoring the Officers of the Army Air Corps at McChord Field. The dance will be held Friday in the Junior ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. Music will be supplied by the Brad Bannon Orchestra. The decorating theme will be silver bombers against a sky of blue. (T. Times 3/13/1943, pg. 4)

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Austin, Virginia; Baillargeon, Ann; Foss, Katherine; Marush, Mary;

Three members of the Spinster Club are hard at work in May of 1943 on the "Mammy" dolls that will adorn the tables at the 5th annual Dixie Ball, to be held at the Roof Garden of the Hotel Winthrop. The women are, left to right, Mrs. James Hayes, Katherine Foss and Penny (Mrs.H.J.) Croteau.The dolls are made out of cones covered with red gingham fabric. The event in 1943 would also be a benefit for the Army/Navy relief fund. (T.Times 5/5/1943, pg.4; TNT 5/8/1943, pg. 4)

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Dolls; Foss, Katherine; Croteau, Penny;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Two older women are seated while knitting sweaters. They are surrounded by baskets and shelves full of skeins of dark colored yarn. An enlisted man after being wounded wrote in a letter home, "Only God and the Red Cross can help me now".

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aged persons--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Knitting; Yarn;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Women are standing at large tables working in the production room with fabric and clothing. Bolts of fabric lay on shelves at the back of the large work room and wrapped bundles are ready on the table at the front. Over four million Red Cross workers make surgical dressings, sew garments for hospitals and refugees, knit sweaters, drive ambulances, etc., to help during war time. (T.Times 2/29/1944, p.1), (TNT, 2/27/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma;