As part of The General Federation of Women’s Clubs, we join a unifying force bringing together local Women’s Clubs, with members dedicated to strengthening their communities and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. With 100,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members are community leaders who work locally to create global change by supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, advancing education, promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging civic evolvement and working toward world peace and understanding.
Woman's Club History
Founded in 1916 and known originally as the Woman’s Current Event Club, in 1927 the Woman’s Club of Vista joined the State Federation of the Women’s Club and officially became the Woman’s Club of Vista. They built a clubhouse that served lots of purposes, but the biggest one was to open as a canteen service club for Camp Pendleton Marines during WWII. Later, a bigger clubhouse was built and the Club continued efforts to contribute to the community. Here are just a few of the community projects the Club was involved in:
- Donating to the Brengle Terrace Park Amphitheater
- Brengle Terrace Park playground in 1960’s
- Paid for the first polio shot vaccines for children at a local clinic in 1960’s
- Began the first Glass recycling service for Vista 1980’s
- Created, printed and distributed to over 25,000 residents “Hazardous Household Waste” pamphlet in the 1980’s
- Was recognized in 1990 by the United Nations Environmental Program for planting more than 700 oak tree seedlings in local parks.
Since the selling of the Woman’s Club clubhouse in 2005, the Woman’s Club of Vista has donated more than $540,000 to 56 designated non-profit organizations working with people in our community: children, women and veterans, as well as the Vista Fire and Sheriff’s Departments. They have also awarded $115,000 in scholarships. Today, on a monthly basis, this Club collects books for Elementary school libraries, supports Veterans and the Women’s Resource Center and collects money for Pennies for Pines.
The Club has contributed to building the ponds and stream project at the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens, used funds from recycling to fund a rose covered gazebo and has provided free nature field trips for school children. In addition, in 2024 this club of only 23 women ranging in age from 32 to 90 gave more than 5,911 hours in volunteer service to local non-profit organizations.
