Archives West Finding Aid

In 1917, a group of women, wives of university faculty and female faculty members, organized with the object of “promoting good fellowship among its members [to] further the social welfare of the University.” Creating the Faculty Women’s Club, this group of women entertained, supported and enhanced University life. Some of its early members included wives of University presidents and noted faculty memebers including Mrs. Astrid Sisson (wife of the University's fourth president Edward Sisson), Mrs. Doris Merriam (wife of H.G. Merriam, the University's first chair of the English Department), Mrs. Mary Clapp (wife of geologist, Charles Clapp, who later served as President of the Montana School of Mines and the University of Montana), and Mrs. Anne Pantzer (wife of future President Robert Pantzer). In those early years, the club's projects included the building of a kitchenette for the Student Union building, sponsoring the Junior Award for Girls and the Synadelphic House for Women, and hosting other general social events. At the end of each monthly meeting, the women often sang or entertained their speakers and presenters with piano accompaniment.

In 1967, the name of the organization changed to The University of Montana Women’s Club. In later years, the club also assisted several Missoula community organizations such as the Y.W.C.A. [Young Women’s Christian Association], the Missoula Museum of the Arts, and the Missoula Children’s Theater.