History

HISTORY OF SWC

Third Revision, Spring 1999
Lillian Donald, Shirley Elkington, Alice Merrill, Sylvia Ruby,
Mabrey Scott and Shelby VanMeter

Beginnings
By the early 1900's, women were awakening to the fact that an organization could accomplish more in the public arena than could be accomplished individually. Indeed, a single incident in 1911 served as the catalyst for an action group that became the Sausalito Woman's Club two years later.

Those who first heard the story recalled it this way: Ella Wood was sauntering down a Sausalito hillside lane when she heard the screeching rasp of a saw. She followed the sound and found a crew cutting down a row of cypress trees on Bulkley Avenue. Why? Because the town's first taxicab, a Model T Ford had just arrived. The car was replacing a horse-drawn surrey that had recently rolled over on a hill killing its long-time driver. The street was being widened so the automobile could more readily negotiate the narrow, curving, tree-studded roadway.

Envisioning imminent destruction of the trees and shrubs, Ella Wood raced back home and recruited several friends to put a stop to the cutting. By the time she returned, only a lone cypress tree in front of the Presbyterian Church remained standing. It is reported that ten women circled the tree hand in hand to prevent its demise. Others enlisted the aid of town clerk, "Judge" William Z. Tiffany, asking that the workmen leave the tree unharmed. From then on, it was known as "The Founder's Tree." The incident led three women, Elizabeth Shoobert, Lydia Sperry and Nellie Story, known as the three S's, to enlist others. They decided: "We must have a club of civic force to save the beauty of our hillsides."

An organizational meeting was held March 11, 1913 and a meeting for the election of officers took place on April 3rd. Thirty-two women signed the constitution and bylaws and paid their dues. Susan Loosely served as the Club's first President, a post she held until 1917. Her oil painting of redwood trees mentioned in the minutes of October 3, 1918, was her gift to the newly opened clubhouse. This cherished painting now hangs in the clubhouse entry hall.

The Clubhouse
Since their first meeting in 1913, the women of the Club were determined to have their own clubhouse and soon set about raising money for a building fund by selling olive oil and rag rugs door-to-door. They made the rugs themselves from rags they had collected. ... Grace McGregor Robbins … was especially desirous that the Club be housed in a home of its own. ... It was her express wish that the building be used not only for Club purposes, but also, as a center for "the pleasure and betterment of the people of Sausalito."

Robbins passed away unexpectedly in 1917. In her memory her husband, F. A. Robbins, presented the Central Avenue property to the Sausalito Woman's Club. There was one condition: that the Club "shall raise $2000 in addition to the building fund of $1500 already raised to date."

… The Club's Building Committee chose Julia Morgan, the first woman to receive a California architects license [to be the clubhouse architect.] … The building was completed in 1918 for a total cost of $5757.50 and was dedicated to Grace McGregor Robbins … At completion the clubhouse was a one-story building with no heat and no basement, a dressing room on the stage, a tiny kitchen, one restroom and no furniture. Each member had to bring her own chair to meetings. Later, members' husbands donated the Stickley-inspired wicker chairs that remain in use today.

Civics
The Club's membership has long focused on a variety of community issues related to civics, education and conservation. Numerous threats to Sausalito's well-being have mobilized Club energies over the years.

In 1913, Sausalito was famous for its gambling dens, prizefights and brothels and for its dozens of saloons. Clubwomen were determined to clean up the town. They had little success, however, working with the Sausalito Board of Trustees, which was not accustomed to having women interfere in affairs of the town. Upon seeing women in the audience, the Trustees would conduct their official business in whispers and would often move their meeting place when they saw [the women] approaching.

Soon Club members began pressing for necessities stemming from community growth: a town constable, conscientious law-enforcement, better roads and adequate street lighting. They backed an ordinance to reduce the number of saloons to five and supported the Trustees' plans to pave the streets and install sewers.

The Woman's Club made another significant civic contribution soon after the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. Architect William Faville, then a resident of Sausalito whose wife joined the Club in 1913, had designed a large concrete fountain and two elephants for the Exposition. With the financial support and public efforts of the Woman's Club these treasures were brought to Sausalito. They were installed downtown where they stand today, in what was then called "the little park by the depot." This was Sausalito's first public park.

Between 1917 and 1937, the fishing industry made repeated attempts to locate a sardine canning plant in Sausalito. The Woman's Club fought against the plan … [until] the sardines disappeared from the bay. In the 1930's, during the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge, Club member Mary Spring … convinced the Club to join in Sausalito's efforts to keep Highway 101 from being routed along the City's waterfront. The stature of the Club was such that the City of Sausalito requested a letter from the membership to the State Division of Highways favoring traffic improvements "at the intersection of the Sausalito
Lateral north of the Bridge," where the freeway runs today.

During the 1940s, World War II defense efforts occupied the membership's energies. A war sewing room was set up for making rolled bandages and Red Cross classes in first aid, home nursing and canteen work were held.

In 1958, Club member Marjorie Brady became the first woman elected to serve on the Sausalito City Council. Other members have since won seats on the city Council and served as mayor.

In 1964, Club members were again galvanized when Sausalito Properties Inc. presented a plan to fill some 12 shoreline acres along Richardson Bay between Johnson and Napa Streets. The plan included a 250-room hotel, 160 apartments, restaurants, shops and a convention center. Two Club members, Margot Gergus and Robin Sweeny, served with five others on the Save Our Shore Committee formed to prevent the filling of Richardson Bay. … The Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) were founded as a direct result of such citizen involvement.

Over the years there have been numerous other Club efforts addressing civic improvement including acquisition of public lands for parks and playgrounds. ... (and support of the Sausalito Art Festival.)

Looking to the Future
The Sausalito Woman's Club remains strong in its historic commitment to public service through charitable donations, civic enhancement, emergency awareness, conservation and the environment.