The Founding

The Farmville Junior Woman’s Club is the oldest Junior Club still in existence in the Alice Kyle District.  It was organized in 1923 at the home of Mrs. Elizabeth Littleton Lewis.  Mrs. Lewis’ main interest was a well-educated mind in young women.  She believed that being a housewife was important, but that in order for young women to be of more service to their families and community, they needed to have an educated, intelligent, and challenged mind.  Upon these high ideals, she founded the Farmville Junior Woman’s Club.

Among the original members in 1923 were: Miss Elizabeth Lewis, president; Miss Virginia Crank, secretary; Miss Elizabeth Hundley; Miss Elizabeth Moring; Mrs. J.H. Cocks; Mrs. J.H. Lewis, Jr; Miss Mary Lancaster; Mrs. Leland Sanford; Miss Laura Anderson; Mrs. O.H. Whitten; and Miss Anne Meredith.  They held their meetings at Longwood College in what was then called the Faculty Room.  They had a rotating library where each member bought a book each year from the current best seller list and it was shared throughout the club.  Often their programs included papers written and presented by members on current events.

History

The Juniors were first recognized by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1922.  It was adopted by the Virginia Federation during the 1921-1923 administrations.  Farmville Juniors organized in 1923 thus ranking as one of the oldest junior clubs in the state.

In 1942 the State Convention elected the first Junior Vice-President.  Two of this office have come from the Farmville Club: Mrs. Charles W. (Marjorie) Glenn, 1947-1949; and Mrs. W.A. Watson, III (Betty Rea Pairet), 1962-1964.

The Juniors have had two advisors: Mrs. Shelton Whitaker, 1923-1967, and Mrs. T. C. Coleman, Jr. 1967-1985.

Projects of the Juniors over the years: Grove Street Park; MDA Telethon; helped on development of the Virginia State Museum in the 1940s and 1950s; and Farmville-Prince Edward Community Library.  Under the leadership of Mrs. Emmett (Robin) McLane the Juniors donated $10,000 to the development of the library.  This money came from the sale of the Woman’s Club House on High Street which had been owned and operated by the Generals and the Juniors for many years.

Today

The Club meets in the Mill building.  Our membership consists of both career women and housewives with a variety of interests.  We participate in various community events, one of which is selling snow cones at the Heart of Virginia Festival. Additionally, we support many community groups and projects with donations.  We take part in fund-raising throughout the year to be able to work on our various projects.  We also hold special programs at our monthly meetings to inform our members of community and self improvement.  We hope to expand our efforts and our membership so that we can better serve our community.