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;

For six weeks, "Pennies for Happiness" would be the slogan of the Dr. Edward Rich Orthopedic Guild as they collected pennies in their annual drive. The drive would take place October 15-December 1, 1941, and would benefit crippled children. Guild members pictured above were not identified. (T. Times 10/15/1941, pg. 20)

Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Dr. Edward Rich Guild (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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.;

Members of the Wauna Club planning committee admire a scroll with artful drawings of bamboo during a meeting at the home of the Arthur Reynolds. The committee is planning the club's first dance of the year, a Chinese extravaganza themed "Through the Moon Gate." It will be held Saturday, November 8th, 1941 at the Roof Garden of the Winthrop Hotel. Pictured are, left to right, Stella (Mrs. Arthur) Reynolds, Helen (Mrs. Otto) Siburg, Ethel (Mrs. George) Weller and Elva (Mrs. C.J.) Weller. (T. Times 11/1/1941, pg. 4)

Wauna Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reynolds, Arthur--Homes & haunts; Weller, Ethel; Weller, Elva; Siburg, Helen; Reynolds, Stella; Committees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Scrolls (Visual works);

Members of the planning committee gather Chinese artifacts to add ambience to the first Wauna Club Dance of the Season. The theme of the dance is "Through the Moon Gate" and it is scheduled for Saturday, November 8th, 1941 at the Roof Garden of the Winthrop Hotel. Pictured, left to right, are Ethel (Mrs. George) Weller, Helen (Mrs. Otto) Siburg, Stella (Mrs. Arthur) Reynolds and Elva (Mrs. C.J.) Weller. The group is pictured at the Arthur Reynolds residence. (T. Times 11/1/1941, pg. 4)

Wauna Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reynolds, Arthur--Homes & haunts; Weller, Ethel; Weller, Elva; Siburg, Helen; Reynolds, Stella; Committees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Scrolls (Visual works);

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);

Three young women enjoy the camaraderie at the Spinster Club's annual tea held at the University-Union Club on October 19, 1941. The tea was to honor prospective members. Among the decorations on the table is a large "S" made out of flowers. The color scheme was blue and silver. Lea Mills, Club president, and Virginia Austin, secretary, were acting as hostesses. (T.Times, 10-25-41, p. 3)

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

Four Japanese-American Boy Scouts, (l to r) Nobukazu Oyanagi, August Nakagawa, Jimmy Miyazaki, and Tetsuo Tamaki, performed as the color guard at a special party held on October 29, 1941 honoring the "Nisei" soldiers in the United States Army stationed at Fort Lewis. Several hundred soldiers, civilians and guests attended the dinner and dance sponsored by the Japanese-American Citizens League, and held at the Odd Fellows Hall. (T.Times 10/31/1941 p.3)

Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Oyanagi, Nobukazu; Nakagawa, August; Miyazaki, Jimmy; Tamaki, Tetsuo; Japanese Americans;

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;

From November 17-23, 1941, communities across America celebrated the second annual National Art Week. The Tacoma Art Association observed the celebration by sponsoring an exhibit of local artists at the former location of the Helen Davis dress shop in the Hotel Winthrop. An unidentified clubwoman was photographed opening the door to the exhibit, which featured a variety of art including water colors, oils, charcoal, pastels, wood carvings, photography and handicrafts. Local artists were able to enter their works free of charge, and the public was invited to view the show for free and purchase the works of the artists. (T. Times 11/14/1941, pg. 19; 11/18/41, pg. 8; 11/19/41, pg. 18- all story only)

Tacoma Art Association (Tacoma); Art exhibitions--Tacoma;

The fourth annual meeting of the American Legion's Last Man Club was held at the Winthrop Hotel in December, 1941. Sixteen men pose with three flag draped chairs. The draped chairs are in honor of the Club members who have died, past Commanders E.A. Rich, Dr. J.C. Siegle (first to die on 4/13/39) and George A. Allen. The Club was organized on 12/5/38 by WWl veterans who had also served as Commanders of the Edward B. Rhodes Post of the American Legion. As each Commander stepped down from office, he was invited to join if he was a WWI veteran. A bottle of cognac, autographed by all members, was set aside for the last surviving member to drink a toast to his comrades. The Last Man was Capt. Chester Chastek. He became the sole survivor on February 16, 1992 after the death of Paul O. Brown. He retrieved the bottle of cognac after its 54 years of repose in a Puget Sound Bank safe deposit box but did not drink it. He had never had a drink in his long life and refused to break his record. (T.Times 12-2-41-article)

American Legion Club (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Last Man Club (Tacoma);

Annual meeting of the American Legion, Edward B. Rhodes Post's Last Man Club, Hotel Winthrop, on December 3, 1941. Three empty chairs are draped with American flags and 19 men sit and stand by them. The draped chairs are in honor of Club members who have died. The Club was organized December 5, 1938 by World War I veterans who were past Commanders of the Post. A bottle of 1917 Hennessey Five Star cognac was set aside for the last surviving member to drink a toast to his comrades. The first to die was Tacoma Mayor Dr. John Siegle on April 13, 1939. The sole survivor was Capt. Chester Chastek. By February of 1992, he had outlived all his fellow club members. He died February 23, 1997 at the age of 97.

American Legion Club (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Last Man Club (Tacoma);

Mrs. Eleanor Dockeray, Mrs. James C. Ferguson, and Mrs. Dorothy Bottcher (l to r) of the Tacoma Junior Women's Club, examine one of the posters created by the club's art committee for the "Rice Bowl Party" that was scheduled to be held on December 12, 1941 at the First Baptist Church. The party and show, which was to include vaudeville numbers by prominent Chinese entertainers from Tacoma, Seattle and Portland, was part of the Tacoma - Pierce County campaign to raise money for China relief. The event was part of a national United China Relief Campaign to raise 5 million dollars; Pierce County had already raised $10,000, half of the County's goal. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the event was postponed. (TNT 12/7/1941 p.A-4)

Junior Womens Club (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Posters; Dockeray, Eleanor; Ferguson, James C.--Family; Bottcher, Dorothy;

Beginning April 6, 1942, the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) launched special "Keep Fit" classes at its 405 Broadway location. Instruction was being offered in golf, tennis, swimming and Badminton (pictured.) Classes would be held both morning and evenings to accomodate those working in the defense industries. The YWCA operated under the adage learned from war torn England, that adequate exercise was a morale builder. (T. Times 4/10/1942, pg. 3)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); Badminton;

Mrs. H. V. Davies (far left), in her Red Cross uniform, directed the activities of the volunteers at the new Red Cross production department on Commerce Street in April of 1942. The woman third from the right, in the pattern dress, is Mrs. J. L. Giseburt, chairman of the volunteers. The theme of the annual meeting of the Pierce County Red Cross, held on April 14th, was volunteer service. Tribute was paid to the over 15,000 persons in Pierce County who contributed their time and effort to the Red Cross. (T. Times 4/13/1942 p.8)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community Service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On April 7, 1942, the recently elected Junior League board members pose outside the home of Mrs. Charles Ingram, 414 No. 7th St. Pictured left to right are Dorothy (Mrs. James Mack) Koon (maiden name La Gasa), Phoebe (Mrs. Charles Jr.) Lea, Ruth (Mrs Paul) Graff, Edna (Mrs. John Bates) Roberts, Charlotte (Mrs. Walter) Baumann, Mrs. John Wood Jr. and Mrs. Thomas Henderson. (T. Times 4/11/1942, pg. 4)

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Koon, Dorothy La Gasa; Lea, Phoebe; Graff, Ruth; Roberts, Edna; Baumann, Charlotte;

Some of the local Red Cross roll call leaders posed in the organization's office on 12th and Pacific on May 14, 1942. They were, left to right, Mrs. A.D. Fay- vice chairman of roll call, Hazel (Mrs. James E.) MacPherson, Lunella (Mrs. Elmore) McMaster and Katherine (Mrs. Charles F.) Grover. The roll call was the Red Cross's annual campaign for membership. It started on June 18th and involved thousands of volunteers. The goal for 1942 was 30,000. More volunteers were needed to support the organization's wartime activities. (TNT 5/18/42, pg. 1- picture;T Times 5/18/1942, pg. 12 (similar picture); 5/13/42, pg. 2; 5/15/42, pg. 1)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community Service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; MacPherson, Hazel; McMaster, Lunella; Grover, Katherine;

On June 3, 1942, "Gray Ladies" from Fort Lewis presented the first of a series of afternoon radio request programs at station KMO, located in the Keyes building. The programs were being given for the patients at Fort Lewis. The Gray Ladies were part of the Red Cross Hospital and Recreation Service; the Gray Lady nickname referred to their gray uniform. The people pictured appeared in the first week's program. Around piano: Mrs. E.P. McCormick, Dorothy Nelson and Lawrence Christiansen on guitar. Pictured standing, left to right, Mrs. A.O. Fay, Louise Foster, Virginia Meyer, Iris DeRocher, Emery Asbury, Marthajean Sandin, Milton J. Evans, Donna McCormick, Mrs. A.W. Paulsen, Mrs. C.F. Grover and Mildred K. Moore. (T. Times 6/4/1942, pg. 9)

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Radio stations--Tacoma; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma);

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;

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 were 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;

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;

The Co-ed Club sponsored a social evening at the USO Club at 13th and Fawcett on Tuesday, July 21, 1942. Each Tuesday evening a different group took charge of the evening's entertainment and the late supper. Pictured around the punch bowl were club members and honored guests, left to right, Mrs. Kenneth Bourke, Mrs. Victor Vine, Pfc. LeRoy Strangeland, Marjorie Stewart, Peggy Shaw and Pvt. Sidney Jones. (TNT 7/25/1942, pg. 5)

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Co-Ed Club (Tacoma); Strangeland, LeRoy; Shaw, Peggy; Jones, Sidney; Stewart, Marjorie;

Ten members of the Co-Ed Club were responsible for planning a social evening at the USO Club at 13th and Fawcett on July 21, 1942. Five members of the planning committee are pictured, left to right, Rosemary Stewart, Mimi Howell, Mrs. Mack Coon (Dorothy LaGasa), Sabine Phelps and Grace (Mrs. C. Nathan) Lynn. (T. Times)

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Co-Ed Club (Tacoma); Stewart, Rosemary; Howell, Mimi; LaGasa, Dorothy; Phelps, Sabine; Lynn, Grace;

In order to maintain her position as a USO junior hostess, a girl was required to attend one function a week. Most of the girls enjoyed attending the dances and therefore needed a large supply of formal dances. One group of girls met weekly at the YMCA to make their own dresses. Patiently having the pattern pinned to her is Carolyn Moore, next to her is an unidentified woman doing the pinning. Looking on are, left to right, Marian Allen, Myrl Van Den Heuvel and Anna MacWillman. (TNT 8/2/1942, pg. A-7)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Sewing; Seamstresses; Moore, Carolyn; MacWillman, Anna; Allen, Marian; Van Den Heuvel, Myrl;

Modelling her latest formal creation on July 27, 1942, while standing on a stack of books at the YWCA, was USO Junior Hostess Dorothy Blanchfield. Lending a hand with the construction, left to right, were Carolyn Moore, (Miss Blanchfield,) Anna Mae Willman, Marian Allen and Myrl Van Den Heuvel. A USO Junior Hostess, in order to keep her permanent card and be a member in good standing, was required to attend one social function a week. The most popular functions were the dances. In order to have a wide variety of formal dresses and to keep costs down, some of the girls met weekly at the YWCA, with volunteer stylists from the department stores, to sew their own formals. Publicity for Community Chest. (TNT 8/2/1942 p.A-7)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Sewing; Seamstresses; Sewing machines; Blanchfield, Dorothy; Moore, Carolyn; Willman, Anna Mae; Allen, Marian; Van Den Heuvel, Myrl;

Every year the Co-Ed Club held a party to honor those members going away or returning to college, and the war years were no exception. A "Back to School" dance was planned for August 22, 1942 at the Fircrest Golf Club. In deference to world affairs, the party would have a patriotic theme and a war bond would be given as the door prize. Pictured, left to right, are Noreen Inveen (going to Stephens in Columbia, Missouri), Marian Willard, Mercedes Russell, Mary Thomas (all leaving for the University of Washington in Seattle) and Carolyn Scharf (heading out for Scripps in Claremont, CA.) Photograph was taken at the Scharf home. (T. Times 8/15/1942 p.5)

Co-Ed Club (Tacoma); Inveen, Noreen; Willard, Marian; Russell, Mercedes; Thomas, Mary; Scharf, Carolyn; War bonds & funds;

Every year the Co-Ed Club held a party for all of the younger club members who were going away to college. The war years proved to be no different and the annual "Back to School" Dance was planned for August 22, 1942 at the Fircrest Golf Club. Influenced by local and world events, the dance had a patriotic theme and the door prize was a war bond. The five young women pictured are Co-Ed Club members who were going to college for the first time. Back row, left to right, are Noreen Inveen, Carolyn Scharf and Marian Willard. Seated at bottom are, left to right, Mercedes Russell and Mary Thomas. The photograph was taken at the Scharf residence. TPL-982 (T. Times)

Co-Ed Club (Tacoma); Inveen, Noreen; Willard, Marian; Russell, Mercedes; Thomas, Mary; Scharf, Carolyn; War bonds & funds;

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;