Edgewater Catholic Women's Club
The Edgewater Catholic Women’s Club
by Grace Brett
Editor’s note: words and phrases within parentheses are references to sources
The Edgewater Catholic Women’s Club was founded on February 7, 1912
(Webber) with a mission of serving the community. They often held meetings at the Edgewater Country Club, located on Hollywood & Winthrop, but occasionally held larger gatherings at the Edgewater Beach Hotel (“Edgewater Club Opens”)
In 1913, they added a Young Women’s Auxiliary, which consisted of daughters of
members and their friends, and was chaired by Mrs. Ellis McDonald in its first year (“Social World”).
Their support for modern art was shown by their hosting of a “cubist” food exposition,
which occurred in 1913 during the showing of more radical artists in the Art Institute (Dryer).The auxiliary also appeared at the St. Alphonsus Athenaeum in 1920 for a dramatic presentation (“St. Alphonsus”)
The club stayed active during World War 1, and provided humanitarian aid to soldiers in
marine hospitals. They baked them treats to better their spirits. They also boosted patriotism on the homefront, offering classes in civic participation and leadership. They also offered classes in short story writing, cooking, and dress-making. The philanthropy from the club reached manycatholic charities in addition to furnishing female wards of the juvenile shelter and distributing milk to needy families. By 1921, they had a well-established reputation, and the more than 700 members were led by Mrs. William A. Sauer (“Catholic Women’s”).
In 1924, they had a welfare department that was responsible for giving aid. They
contributed to the erection of a conservatory at Edward Hines Jr. Memorial Hospital. They also became more political, championing laws affecting women in industry, the child labor amendment, and stronger law enforcement. After the passage of the 19th amendment, the Auxiliary formed a women voters’ league to encourage civic participation. The auxiliary also maintained a ward in Cook County Hospital and threw parties for children at day nurseries. They received several features in the Chicago Daily Tribune detailing their pursuits, and also highlighting their leadership, their current president being Mrs. E. O. Brooks (Webber).
The League of Catholic Women of Chicago was created in 1930 under the Archdiocese,
and the ECWC was an original member, signaling their status as an accomplished club
(“Chicago Launches”).
The last records of their activity were of a Gentleman’s night, held on November 11,
1947 at the Indian Boundary Clubhouse in 1947 (“Junior Groups”). The club is no longer active, but has made significant contributions to the neighborhood, the city, and the Catholic Church that deserve to be achnowledged.
Citations
“Catholic Women’s Club of Edgewater Closes Ninth Year.” Chicago Daily Tribune, 29
May 1921. ProQuest,
https://www.proquest.com/hnpchicagotribune/docview/174825307/73393FAC42F4445E
PQ/2?sourcetype=Newspapers.
“Chicago Launches Diocesan League.” N. C. W. C. News Service. The Catholic Standard and Times, Vol. 35, No. 46, 12 September 1930,
https://www.thecatholicnewsarchive.org/?a=d&d=cst19300912-01.2.146&srpos=1&e=—
—-en-20–1–txt-txIN-Edgewater+Catholic+women%27s+club——–
cst19300912%252D01.
Dryer, Joel S. “Armory Show in Chicago (1913).” Illinois Art,
“Edgewater Club Opens Season.” The Chicago Citizen, 20 September 1913. Library of
Congress, https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn90053031/1913-09-20/ed-
1/?sp=5&q=women+edgewater&r=0.001,0.247,0.367,0.257,0.
“In the Social World.” The Chicago Citizen, 25 October 1913. Library of Congress,
https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn90053031/1913-10-25/ed-
1/?sp=5&q=women+edgewater&r=0.071,0.562,0.291,0.204,0.
“Junior Groups in 10th District to Plan Season - Edgewater Catholic Club to Hold Men’s
Night.” Chicago Daily Tribune, 9 Nov 1947. ProQuest,
https://www.proquest.com/hnpchicagotribune/docview/177458076/73393FAC42F4445E
PQ/8?accountid=303&sourcetype=Newspapers.
“St. Alphonsus Athenaeum: Found in the Archives.” Athenaeum Center, 9 Jun 2026,
Webber, Kate. “Edgewater Club to celebrate Its 12th Anniversary.” Chicago Daily
Tribune, 3 Feb 1924. ProQuest,
https://www.proquest.com/hnpchicagotribune/docview/180533015/73393FAC42F4445E
PQ/3?accountid=303&sourcetype=Newspapers.