Photograph of the state of the art machinery that processes milk from dairy cows to finished product, ready to be delivered to homes across the North Shore.
Loyola University Archives and Special Collections
A view of Hawthorn-Mellody's western town complete with a bank, general store, and covered wagons.
Governor and Mrs. Stratton ride in one of the Hawthorn-Mellody Farms' dairy carriages.
Loyola University Chicago University Archives and Special Collections
Sensational newspaper headlines like “Disgusting Rowdyism” and “A Murderous Mob” emphasize the volatility of the urban underclass in late nineteenth century Chicago. At the same time, the press ran articles that touted morality and education as solutions to crime in the city. The literary program of the Chicago Woman’s Club reflected the era’s faith in “civilizing” efforts.
Image: Ives, Currier &. “The Great Fire at Chicago, October 8, 1871.” http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2001704271/.
Newspaper: Chicago Daily Tribune (1872-1922).
Minutes: Chicago Woman’s Club Records, Chicago History Museum.
Bibliography: Smith, Carl. Urban Disorder and the Shape of Belief: The Great Chicago Fire, the Haymarket Bomb, and the Model Town of Pullman, Second Edition. University of Chicago Press, 2007.
Humani Nikil a Me Alienum Puto (Nothing Human is Foreign to Me)
From the Club’s inception, Annual Announcements listed the officers, committees, and lecture program of the Chicago Woman’s Club. Note that Prison Reform emerges as a topic of interest as early as 1877. The Club’s well-decorated rooms at the Art Institute Building reflected the elegance and refinement of the upper class clubwomen.
"Annual Announcement of the Chicago Woman's Club, 1877." Loyola University Chicago. Women & Leadership Archives. Chicago Women’s Club. Box 1, Folder 1.
Images: "Book of the Chicago Woman's Club, 1900." Loyola University Chicago. Women & Leadership Archives. Chicago Women’s Club. Box 15, Folder 1.
“I Pledge to Sustain its Good Work and Guard Its Reputation”
The Constitution printed in the Annual Announcements outlined the process of gaining membership into the Chicago Woman’s Club. In 1885, prospective club members needed explicit endorsement from two club members, a majority vote of acceptance, and an annual payment of dues. The process aimed to protect the good reputation of the club while also effectively limiting the group to white women of means. Portraits of the first five presidents of the CWC depict proper well-to-do Victorian clubwomen. When middle class African American Fannie Barrier Williams first attempted to gain membership in 1894, the local press followed the controversial story with great interest.
"Annual Announcement of the Chicago Woman's Club, 1885." Loyola University Chicago. Women & Leadership Archives. Chicago Women’s Club. Box 1, Folder 1.
Image of Club Presidents: "Book of the Chicago Woman's Club, 1900." Loyola University Chicago. Women & Leadership Archives. Chicago Women’s Club. Box 15, Folder 1.
Image of Fannie Barrier Williams: “Mrs. Fannie Barrier Williams, Member of the Chicago Woman’s Club, Newspaper Correspondent and Author.” http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/dgkeysearchdetail.cfm?strucID=210767&imageID=1252568.
Newspaper: Chicago Daily Tribune. November 14, 1894.
Despite attempts to appear unified, the Chicago Woman’s Club was occasionally wracked by controversy. During the 1901-1902 year, an anonymous letter arrived at the CWC accusing officers of fraud. After consulting with handwriting specialists, the Chicago Woman’s Club put Mrs. Alice Bradford Wiles on trial and ultimately exonerated her. During the same year, members of the CWC protested the fairness of officer elections. The Chicago Tribune delivered sensational reports about the events to the public, prompting the club to evaluate their relationship with the press.
“Scenes at the Chicago Woman’s Club During and After Exoneration of Mrs. Wiles.” Chicago Daily Tribune. January 16, 1902.
Petitions Protesting the Election of Apr. 26, 1901. Chicago History Museum. Chicago Woman’s Club Records, 1876-1998. Box 50, Folder 7.
“Internal Politics Stirs the Chicago Woman’s Club.” Chicago Daily Tribune. February 22, 1908.
“The Woman’s Club and the Press, April 8, 1902.” In Chicago Woman’s Club Minutes, 1901-1902. Chicago History Museum. Chicago Woman’s Club Records, 1876-1998. Box 21, Folder 4.
Although the Chicago Woman’s Club always boasted doctors, lawyers, and educators, over time clubwomen increasingly professionalized their approaches to reform. As evidenced by the growing volume of the Club’s Annual Announcements and the rapidly increasing number of committees, the CWC expanded and bureaucratized their reform work over time. Clubwomen also gained legitimacy in the Progressive Era by informing their work with social science. The Club boasted a Social Hygiene Committee and Efficiency Committee in addition to sponsoring numerous lectures by leading scientists and professionals.
Chicago Woman’s Club Annual Announcements, 1877, 1900, 1920. Loyola University Chicago. Women & Leadership Archives Chicago Woman’s Club. Photograph by Rachel Boyle, June 24, 2013.
"Bureaucratic Expansion of the Chicago Woman’s Club, 1877-1920.” Chart by Rachel Boyle, June 24, 2013. Data from Chicago Woman’s Club Annual Announcements, 1877-1920. Loyola University Chicago. Women & Leadership Archives Chicago Woman’s Club.
"The Chicago Woman’s Club is Responsible For…” In Chicago Woman’s Club Bulletin, 1919. Loyola University Chicago. Women & Leadership Archives Chicago Woman’s Club. Box 13, Folder 1.