Accepting Proposals for 2023-2024 Ruegg Grant

The Ruegg Grant is being offered at this time, so that if applicants are not awarded this grant, they may still apply for a WWC grant. Applications for WWC grants will be available online in early December 2023.

The Ruegg Grant Committee of the Westport Woman's Club invites Westport-based local non-profit organizations to apply by Friday, October 20, 2023, for up to $10,000 in one-time funding for a 2023-2024 project in Westport. Submitted proposals should be high-profile initiatives that make a meaningful difference in the Westport community.

 2023-2024 Ruegg Grant Application.  This grant, established in 1995 by an endowment left to the club by former member Lea Ruegg, considers an annual grant to a deserving organization’s project that enhances social services, health, safety, the arts or education.  Recent Ruegg Grant beneficiaries include the Westport Astronomical Society, Project Return, Earthplace, and Wakeman Town Farm.

Community groups with impactful and meaningful projects for 2023-2024 should submit their completed project proposals by Friday, October 20, 2023, to the following address:  Westport Woman’s Club, c/o Ruegg Grant Committee, 44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.  The next Ruegg Grant application process will be in the fall of 2024.

Other forms of the Westport Woman’s Club “here and near” philanthropy include local community service grants, need-based college scholarships, Bedford Hall usage grants for nonprofits, and many hours of volunteer service.  Please visit the WWC Community Services Page to learn more.

WE NEED CLOTHING DONATIONS

Save the Date
Clothing Tag Sale Fundraiser

We are looking for: GENTLY USED (NOT TORN OR SOILED) WOMEN’S, MEN’S & CHILDREN'S CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES (SHOES, HANDBAGS, SCARVES, JEWELRY, ETC.)

** No personal items please (e.g. undergarments, lingerie or bathing suits) **

Tax deductible donations of new or gently worn clothing will be accepted for this sale through October 13. Please drop off donated items any weekday (9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm) at the Westport Woman’s Club (44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT).

Donations are accepted until October 13th.

Thank you.

Please join us, Sunday, May 21, 2023 at the Westport Woman's Club, as Dr. Deborah Varat, Professor of Art History, Southern New Hampshire University, presents "Arthur Szyk's The New Order (1941): How the Cartoons of a Polish Jew Helped Prepare the U.S. for War."

Registration and light breakfast at 9:30 am; program begins promptly at 10 am. Ample parking on site; livestream also available. The program, co-sponsored by the Westport Woman’s Club and the Congregation for Humanistic  Judaism of Fairfield County, will be held in the

WWC’s Bedford Hall, 44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT.

This lecture on Arthur Szyk’s The New Order is presented in anticipation of the upcoming major exhibition at the Fairfield University Art Museum, In Real Times: Arthur Szyk, Artist and Soldier for Human Rights, September 29-December 16, 2023 (https://www.fairfield.edu/museum/szyk/).

Arthur Szyk’s Freedom from Fear, 1942, and Self-Portrait, 1936

“I do not say that art is my aim; art is my means.” Arthur Szyk (1894-1951)

“An unparalleled artist and illuminator, a self-described ’soldier in art’ who advocated for religious toleration, racial equity, and human dignity. His art offers vibrant imagery and timely messages.” (www.szyk.com)

About the political cartoons of Arthur Szyk (1894-1951):

How Arthur Szyk's political cartoons helped generate U.S. support for World War II entry: In the first two years of World War II, the United States remained neutral. With devastation spreading in Europe, memories of World War I and the Spanish Flu Pandemic still fresh, and the Great Depression choking the economy, Americans were receptive to the newspaper editorials and radio speeches of isolationists like Charles Lindbergh. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, as President Franklin Roosevelt worked to prepare the nation for war, a Polish Jewish illustrator, Arthur Szyk, left Europe in 1940 for New York, and dedicated his art to sophisticated caricatures exposing the barbarity of fascism to Americans. Soon, his political cartoons appeared across America, in newspapers, as covers on mass-market magazines, and, in 1941, in his book, The New Order (G.P. Putnam & Sons). Szyk's popular work helped Americans visualize and personalize the evil against which they ultimately had to fight. Today, Szyk's remarkable illustrations and his impact on moving American public opinion toward readiness for war are commemorated in exhibits and museums around the world, including the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, British Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Library of Congress, FDR Presidential Library & Museum and The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. (www.szyk.com)

About Deborah Varat, Ph.D:

Dr. Deborah Varat is a professor of Art History at Southern New Hampshire University and Coordinator, Public Humanities Initiative (PHI). Her research focuses on popular press imagery as it relates to the American Jewish experience. She has published articles on the Dreyfus Affair and on representations of Jewish immigrants in the press around the turn of the last century, and is working on a book about representations of Jews in the American popular press from 1880-1945. Arthur Szyk’s World War II caricatures will be the subject of the book’s final chapter.

Once again on Father’s Day Weekend, “kids of all ages” will gather at the Westport Woman’s Club (44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT) to enjoy one of the town’s oldest and best-loved family events, The Westport Woman’s Club’s YANKEE DOODLE FAIR.  This year’s family Fair opens Thursday, June 15 (6pm – 10pm) and continues Friday, June 16 (6pm – 10pm), Saturday, June 17 (1pm – 10pm) and Sunday, June 18 (1pm – 5pm).

Says WWC Past President and Yankee Doodle Chair, Karen Kleine, “We’re so excited to bring the YANKEE DOODLE FAIR, a fun end-of-school year tradition, to Westport again this June.  Net profits from the fair will support many charities in Fairfield County, need-based college scholarships to Staples High School students, and our WWC Food Closet that works in tandem with Westport’s Department of Human Services. In 2022, with YDF patrons’ help, the Westport Woman’s Club granted $300,000 to WVEMS to purchase a new ambulance to service the community. So please save the dates of June 15-18 to bring your friends and family to make great memories at this year’s YANKEE DOODLE FAIR 2023. The Westport Woman’s Club really makes a difference in the lives of so many.”

The Yankee Doodle Fair will once again feature carnival rides and games from Stewart Amusements.  Returning are the ever-popular Carousel, Flying Dumbo, Dizzy Dragon, Frog Hopper, Scrambler, Cliff Hanger, Zero Gravity, Expo Wheel, among others.  Pay one price; unlimited ride wristbands will be available all days of the Fair, including Friday and Saturday nights!  Our youngest visitors will be excited to know that Sand Art is available at the Fair again this year. 

Entertainment at this year’s Yankee Doodle Fair includes: SWEETCAKE MOUNTAIN, an all acoustic country/bluegrass band performing Saturday (4pm - 6pm);  HAWKNS, a Connecticut Classis Rock Pop Band performing Friday (7:45pm – 9:45pm) and Saturday (7pm - 9pm).  In addition, WESTPORT VOLUNTER EMS will have one of their ambulances at the Fair on Saturday afternoon to share with fairgoers.

Throughout the Fair, you will have an opportunity to buy tickets for Yankee Doodle Fair Raffle Prizes.  The Raffle First Prize is $1000, Second Prize is a London Blue Topaz Necklace with Diamonds, value $975.00, and Third Prize is $500.  In addition, our Yankee Doodle Fair’s “Take a Chance” tent is returning this year with a wide variety of prizes, many donated by Westport’s generous merchants and restaurants. “Take a Chance” prizes will be available for viewing throughout the Fair under a tent on the fair’s upper level, where you can buy tickets to win “Take a Chance” prizes.  All winning Raffle and “Take a Chance” tickets will be drawn at the end of the Fair on Sunday, Father’s Day.  It is not necessary for winners to be present to claim their prizes. 

At the Yankee Doodle Food Court, fellow non-profit WESTPORT EXCHANGE CLUB will feature a selection of hamburgers, hot dogs, etc, as well as wine and beer to customers of legal age.  GRECIAN DELIGHTS will be offering Greek favorites, gyros, souvlaki and shish kabob. Skip’s vintage GOOD HUMOR Truck will be back with ice cream treats for every taste.  In addition, members of the Westport Woman’s Club will be selling cold beverages, home-made baked goods and bottled water, with proceeds benefitting WWC community service grants and need-based scholarships for Staples High School seniors.

The Westport Woman’s Club is grateful for their generous community sponsors:  Westport National Bank & Principle Wealth Partners.  No dogs are permitted on the grounds during the Fair.

The Westport Woman’s Club, organized in 1907, is a non-profit philanthropic organization dedicated to volunteerism and the raising of funds in support of the educational, charitable, cultural and public health services in Westport and surrounding towns.  You do not have to be a Westport Resident to join The Westport Woman’s Club.  For more information or to join this historic philanthropic organization, visit www.westportwomansclub.org or call the WWC office at 203-227-4240.

“AFFORDABLE FINE ART FROM THE AREA’S MOST DESIRABLE ARTISTS”

The Westport Woman’s Club will host its annual Art Show on Friday May 5th from 5-7 (opening reception) and Saturday, May 6th and Sunday, May 7th from 2-5 in the clubhouse at 44 Imperial Avenue. Admission to the Westport Woman’s Club Art Show is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Curated by Westport Artist Miggs Burroughs, this popular show features a variety of local artists whose works are available for purchase. Event Chairperson, Leah Scherzer shares that participating artists donate a portion of their art sales to fund the club’s community service grants, scholarships and charitable donations.

“I am grateful to the Westport Woman’s Club for the opportunity to present this diverse and talented group of emerging and established artists to our community.” said Miggs Burroughs, Curator, Westport Woman’s Art Show, co-founder of The Artists Collective of Westport and a member of the Westport Arts Advisory Committee. “This exhibit not only enhances Westport’s reputation as an outstanding arts destination, but also benefits the Westport Woman’s Club charitable initiatives, which is a wonderful example of the power of art to enrich the area from which it originates.”

The roster of Westport Woman’s Club Art Show 2023 artists, whose works will be available for purchase, include: Nina Bentley, Ola Bossio, Michael Brennecke, Ellen Ehli, Susan Fehlinger, Hernan Garcia, Erzsebet Laurinyecz, Katya Lebrija, Tina Puckett, Jon Puzzuoli, Agata Tria and Dorothy Robertshaw. In addition, there will be a drawing of the artists’ work. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted for purchases as well as charitable donations to the Westport Woman’s Club.

Musician, Mark Naftalin (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee) will share his talents on piano during the three-day Art Show.

The Westport Woman’s Club thanks its generous Westport Woman’s Club and corporate sponsors for the 2023 Art Show which includes the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center, A.J.Penna & Son, Gault Family Companies, Rolleri & Sheppard CPAS, LLP.

Attendees of the Art Show will also receive an invitation to a special art program, co-sponsored by the Westport Woman’s Club and the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Fairfield County on Sunday, May 21, 2023, 10 am, at the Westport Woman's Club. Dr. Deborah Varat, Professor of Art History, Southern New Hampshire University, will present "Arthur Szyk's The New Order (1941): How the Cartoons of a Polish Jew Helped Prepare the U.S. for War."

The Westport Woman’s Club, organized in 1907, is a non-profit philanthropic organization dedicated to volunteerism and the raising of funds in support of the educational, charitable, cultural and public health services in Westport and surrounding towns. You do not have to be a Westport Resident to join The Westport Woman’s Club. For more information or to join this historic philanthropic organization, visit www.westportwomansclub.org or call the WWC office at 203-227-4240.

Miggs Burroughs is a lifelong Westport resident and full-time graphic artist since 1972. He is co-founder of The Artists Collective of Westport and a member of the Westport Arts Advisory Committee. Miggs has curated the Westport Women’s Annual Art Show since 2016.

More information can also be found here: https://www.westportwomansclub.org/event/eighth-annual-art-show/

Please download this PDF and fill it in to be considered for the Westport Woman's Club Scholarship.

Join us Saturday, November 19^th from 5-8 pm for Sip & Savor—wine tasting, hor's d ’oeuvres, and a silent auction—at the Westport Woman's Club. All net proceeds benefit Staples HS scholarships and grants to community organizations. A portion of wine orders will be donated to WWC. Plan ahead, bring your shopping list, and order needed wines for barbecues, hostess gifts, gift giving, and more.

Door prizes are donated by Castle Wine & Spirits and Gaetano’s Catering

WE NEED CLOTHING DONATIONS

Save the Date
Clothing Tag Sale Fundraiser

We are looking for: GENTLY USED (NOT TORN OR SOILED) WOMEN’S, MEN’S & CHILDREN'S CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES (SHOES, HANDBAGS, SCARVES, JEWELRY, ETC.)

** No personal items please (e.g. undergarments, lingerie or bathing suits) **

Please drop off your items at the coat room of the WWC Clubhouse at 44 Imperial Ave, Westport, CT.  Donations are accepted until October 10th.

Monday through Friday, 9am -12pm or 1pm- 4pm

Thank you,
Carol Brezovec, Mary Lee Clayton, Ann Doorly, Susan Loselle, Suzan Murphy, Donna Richardson
Clothing Tag Sale Steering Committee

The Westport Woman's Club is accepting grant proposals for 2022-2023 from Fairfield County non-profit organizations.  Proposals are being accepted until October 30, 2022.

Grant requests for projects that will make a continuing difference in the community may be in the form of funds, or a one-time use of the Westport Woman's Clubhouse for an event. Grants are considered each year to deserving organizations in education, health and safety-related programs and in the arts. This past spring, due to the unexpected arrival of Covid-19, the Westport Woman’s Club awarded community service grants to Fairfield County non-profit organizations that addressed this urgent health challenge within the community.

Community groups should submit their typed proposals by October 30, 2022 to the following address:  Westport Woman's Club, Attention: Community Service Grant, 44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.  Please note the application form should be typed this year. Grant recipients will be notified Spring 2023 by WWC Community Services. 

For additional information, contact the WWC Office at 203-227-4240.

The Westport Woman’s Club, organized in 1907, is a non-profit philanthropic organization dedicated to volunteerism and the raising of funds in support of the educational, charitable, cultural and public health services in Westport and surrounding towns.  You do not have to be a Westport Resident to join The Westport Woman’s Club.  To join, please call the WWC office at 203-227-4240.

Once again on Father’s Day Weekend, “kids of all ages” will gather at the Westport Woman’s Club (44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT) to enjoy one of the town’s oldest and best-loved family events, The Westport Woman’s Club’s YANKEE DOODLE FAIR.  This year’s family Fair opens Thursday, June 16 (6pm – 10pm) and continues Friday, June 17 (6pm – 10pm), Saturday, June 18 (1pm – 10pm) and Sunday, June 19 (1pm – 5pm).      (Download Flyer)               

The Yankee Doodle Fair will once again feature carnival rides and games from Stewart Amusements.  Returning are the ever-popular Carousel, Flying Dumbo, Dizzy Dragon, Frog Hopper, Scrambler, Cliff Hanger, Zero Gravity, Expo Wheel, among others.  Pay one price unlimited ride wristbands will be available all days of the Fair, including Friday and Saturday nights!  Our youngest visitors will be excited to know that Sand Art is available at the Fair again this year.  Inside air-conditioned Bedford Hall, our Gourmet Group will hold their highly-anticipated Bake Sale featuring home-made baked goods sure to please every sweet tooth. 

Entertainment this year at the Yankee Doodle Fair includes:   SWEETCAKE MOUNTAIN, an all acoustic country/bluegrass band performing Saturday (4pm - 6pm);  HAWKNS, a Connecticut Classic Rock Pop band performing Friday (7:45pm - 9:45pm) and Saturday (7pm -9pm).  In addition, WESTPORT VOLUNTER EMS will have one of their ambulances at the Fair on Saturday, 3-6pm, to share with fairgoers; this spring the Westport Woman’s Club granted $300,000 to WVEMS to purchase a new ambulance to service the community.  

Throughout the Fair, you will have an opportunity to buy tickets for Yankee Doodle Fair Raffle Prizes.  The Raffle First Prize is $1000, Second Prize is $500, and Third Prize is a rose gold and diamond necklace, donated by RENATO’S and valued at $650.  In addition, our Yankee Doodle Fair’s “Take a Chance” tent is returning this year with a wide variety of prizes, many donated by Westport’s generous merchants and restaurants. “Take a Chance” prizes will be available for viewing throughout the Fair under a tent on the fair’s upper level, where you can buy tickets to win “Take a Chance” prizes.  All winning Raffle and “Take a Chance” tickets will be drawn at the end of the Fair on Sunday, Father’s Day.  It is not necessary for winners to be present to claim their prizes. 

At the Yankee Doodle Food Court, fellow nonprofit WESTPORT EXCHANGE CLUB will feature a selection of hamburgers, hot dogs, etc, as well as wine and beer to customers of legal age.  A new food vendor for Yankee Doodle, GRECIAN DELIGHTS will offer greek favorites, Gyros, Souvlaki and shish kabob.  Skip’s vintage GOOD HUMOR Truck will be back with ice cream treats for every taste, and THE ULTIMATE WAFFLE will be selling their ice cream waffle treats throughout the fair.  In addition, members of the Westport Woman’s Club will be selling cold beverages and bottled water, with proceeds benefitting WWC community service grants and need-based scholarships for Staples High School seniors.

Says WWC Past President and Yankee Doodle Chair, Christina McVaney, “We’re so excited to bring the YANKEE DOODLE FAIR, a fun end-of-school year tradition, to Westport and our neighboring towns again this June.  The last one we had was in September, which was an unusual time of year for us.  We greatly appreciated the community support we received back then and hope that we will see the same support in June.  We try to bring new events and activities; this year we’re excited about our addition of a couple of bands that will be playing on Friday and Saturday evenings.  Net profits from the fair will support many charities in Fairfield County, need-based college scholarships to Staples High School students, and our WWC Food Closet that works in tandem with Westport’s Department of Human Services.  So please save the dates of June 16-19 to bring your friends and family to make great memories at this year’s YANKEE DOODLE FAIR 2022.”

The Westport Woman’s Club is grateful for their generous community sponsors:  Law Offices of Robert E. Grant, Westport National Bank, Bank of America, Paraco Gas, Ellen Hooker, Janette Duchnicki, Toyota of Westport, The Vanderblue Team at the Higgins Group & Aquarion.  No dogs are permitted on the grounds during the Fair.

The Westport Woman’s Club, organized in 1907, is a non-profit philanthropic organization dedicated to volunteerism and the raising of funds in support of the educational, charitable, cultural and public health services in Westport and surrounding towns.  You do not have to be a Westport Resident to join The Westport Woman’s Club.  For more information or to join this historic philanthropic organization, visit www.westportwomansclub.org or call the WWC office at 203-227-4240.

Community Service has been the trademark of the Westport  Woman’s Club since its inception in 1907. Each year club members volunteer many hours to find the right balance between current needs within the local community, available funds, and the WWC mission. This year’s 29 Community Service Grant recipients serve a variety of social needs including homelessness, family crises, and food insecurity.

WWC 2022 Community Service Grants, totaling $39,000, were awarded to the following Fairfield County nonprofit organizations:  Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders; Bridgeport Rescue Mission; Burroughs Community Center; Caroline House, Inc;  Center for Family Justice; Child Advocates of SW CT; Circle of Care for Families of Children with Cancer, Inc; Circle of Friends; Clasp Homes, Inc.; Domestic Violence Crisis Center;  ElderHouse, Inc; Family & Children’s Agency, Inc; Food Rescue US; Help for Kids; Homes with Hope, Inc; Human Services Council / Children’s Connection; Malta House, Inc; Person-to-Person, Inc; Positive Directions; REACH Youth Program at Bridgeport Hospital; Regional Hospice of Western CT, Inc; St. Catherine Center for Special Needs; Sweet P Bakery; The Rowan Center; Town of Westport, Department of Human Services – Family Programs; Town of Westport, Department of Human Services – Elderly; Westport Community Theatre; Women’s Mentoring Network, Inc; VFW. 

The Westport Woman’s Club, organized in 1907, is a non-profit philanthropic organization dedicated to volunteerism and the raising funds in support of the educational, charitable, cultural and public health services in Westport and surrounding towns.  You do not have to be a Westport Resident to join The Westport Woman’s Club.  To join, call the WWC office at 203-227-4240.

All are invited to join us for a clothing tag sale on November 5-7.

Enjoy Great Prices on Women’s, Men’s and Children’s Clothes and more!!!

Cash and Checks Only — ACCEPTING DONATIONS NOW

Event times:

Friday November 5^th            10am – 3pm
Saturday, November 6^th        10am – 3pm
Sunday, November 7^th          12pm – 3pm

Sponsored By….

The Westport Woman’s Club
44 Imperial Avenue
Westport

Support the Westport Woman’s Club at their annual wine tasting fundraiser, with a new twist this year.  SWIRL & SIP 2020 is going virtual on Wednesday, December 9, from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm.  Hosted by local Westport vendor, Castle Wine & Spirits, your $25.00 advance ticket includes sparkling wines for this virtual tasting which can be picked up in advance at Castle Wine (1439 Post Road East, Westport, CT  203-259-5948); Italy and Spain are the featured countries for this tasting.  Silver Ribbon, another Westport small business, is generously sponsoring SWIRL & SIP’S door prize, a $200 gift certificate for store-wide shopping.

SWIRL & SIP 2020 tickets can be purchased in advance through Monday, December 7 at Swirl & Sip - Westport Woman's Club.  Once you purchase your ticket to attend, you will receive an order confirmation to your provided email. On December 8th, you will receive your Zoom link to that same email. Profits from the evening will benefit community grants to Fairfield County non-profit organizations and need-based college scholarships for local seniors.  The Westport Woman’s Club thanks all in advance for supporting this event and the Fairfield County community.

The Westport Woman’s Club, organized in 1907, is a non-profit philanthropic organization dedicated to volunteerism and the raising of funds in support of the educational, charitable, cultural and public health services in Westport and surrounding towns.  You do not have to be a Westport Resident to join The Westport Woman’s Club.  To join, call the WWC office at 203-227-4240.

The Westport Woman's Club invites you on Friday October 9^th from 5 to 7pm to our outdoor social distant Jazz concert by the well-known Chris Coogan trio. We will have a delicious Venezuelan food truck available for purchase or you can bring your own food/drink. Use this link to buy your tickets now:

https://www.westportwomansclub.org/event/chriscoogan/

The event will take place outside of our beautiful WWC Clubhouse. Please bring your own chairs and maybe a blanket so that you can enjoy the show comfortably. We will have volunteers available to help you set up. We are keeping the number of tickets limited, so that we can ensure social distance is maintained. Doors open at 4:30pm. Music will start promptly at 5:15pm.

Single adult tickets are available for $40, or you can buy a package of two for $65. Your children/grandchildren are welcome and free of charge if they are under the age of 12.

If you have any questions please email us at wwc@westportwomansclub.org. We look forward to seeing you all there and thank you for supporting our cause.

Buy your tickets now: https://www.westportwomansclub.org/event/chriscoogan/

To learn more about Chris Coogan, please visit: https://www.cooganmusic.com/bio

If you want to extend the night and support another good cause, you can stay for the drive-in movie that will start at 8pm at the upper parking lot, organized the Remarkable Theater. http://www.remarkabletheater.org

Remarkable Theater, a Westport non-profit that provides purposeful employment to individuals with disabilities, is kicking off a summer drive-in movie experience on Friday, June 26, featuring the classic film, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”.  This drive-in movie fundraiser will occur in the Imperial Avenue Commuter Lot (site of the summer Westport Farmers Market). The parking lot will open to a limited number of cars at 7:45pm, with the movie beginning at 8:45pm.  A ticket to admit each car must be purchased in advance, with opening night proceeds generously benefiting The Westport Woman’s Club.  For drive-in movie tickets and more information, visit the Westport Woman’s Club at www.westportwomansclub.org or the Remarkable Theater at www.remarkabletheater.org.

The Westport Woman’s Club, organized in 1907, is a non-profit philanthropic organization dedicated to volunteerism and the raising of funds in support of the educational, charitable, cultural and public health services in Westport and surrounding towns.  You do not have to be a Westport Resident to join The Westport Woman’s Club.  To join, call the WWC office at 203-227-4240.

Each year the Westport Woman’s Club evaluates grant applications from Fairfield County nonprofit organizations.  WWC members spend countless volunteer hours each fall through spring on due diligence to find the right balance between current needs within the community, raised funds, and the WWC mission statement. This past March, COVID-19 arrived as a surprise participant late in the grant evaluation process.
Current WWC President, Christina McVaney shares, “As we go through the current crisis, it has never been more important for philanthropic organizations such as the Westport Woman's Club to use our resources to make the most impact in our community. For that reason, we have identified 5 local organizations that we believe will make an important contribution in Fairfield County in the coming months.”
With the physical and mental well-being of our neighbors taking precedence, the Westport Woman’s Club announces their Spring 2020 Community Service Grants, totaling $50,000, to the following Fairfield County nonprofits: Bridgeport Rescue Mission (www.bridgeportrescuemission.org), Filling in the Blanks (www.fillingintheblanks.org), Domestic Violence Crisis Center (www.dvccct.org), Homes with Hope, Inc. (www.hwhct.org), and Westport Families in Need (coordinated by Westport’s Department of Human Service’s COVID-19 Fund ~ www.westportct.gov). Please visit these five organizations/websites to support the COVID-19 services each are providing within our Fairfield County community.
The Westport Woman’s Club (www.westportwomansclub.org), organized in 1907, is a non-profit philanthropic organization dedicated to volunteerism and the raising of funds in support of the educational, charitable, cultural and public health services in Westport and surrounding towns. You do not have to be a Westport Resident to join The Westport Woman’s Club. To join, call the WWC office at 203-227-4240. Link to 06880 post:

A Special Art Invitation for WWC Members and Community Friends:  Due to ongoing community health concerns, the WWC 2020 Art Show goes virtual this spring!  This venue allows the Westport Woman’s Club to continue their annual  tradition of supporting local artists, by providing access to their online galleries.  The WWC wishes to thank all 14 participating local artists, as each artist is generously donating 30% of any virtual art show sales to support the WWC Scholarship Fund.   Need-based college scholarships for local students will be needed more than ever in this new covid-19 economic reality.   Please mention that you are a WWC Supporter when corresponding with any of these talented local artists to inquire or purchase a piece of their work. 

Curated again by Westport Artist Miggs Burroughs, the roster of WWC Virtual Art Show 2020 artists include:  

Nina Bentley (www.ninabentley.net)
Amy Bock (www.amybockart.com)
Trace Burroughs (www.traceburroughsart.com)
Susan Fehlinger (www.susanfehlinger.com)
Judith Orseck Katz (www.rowaytonarts.org)
Tom Kretsch (www.peacefulplacesphoto.com)
Susan Leggitt (www.susanleggitt.com)
Kerry Long (www.kerrylong.com)
Michael Ledner (www.michaellednerartist.com)
Carole McClintock (https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/carole-mcclintock)
Bernard Perry (www.bernardperryphotography.com)
Jon Puzzuoli (www.puzzpottery.com)
Katherine Ross (www.katherinerossart.com)
Jo Titsworth (www.jotitsworthwatercolors.com).  

The Westport Woman’s Club is grateful for continued support from our Fairfield County community, which assists the club’s historic philanthropy supporting educational, charitable, cultural and public health services in Westport and surrounding towns.  Wishing everyone well in these challenging times.

Dr. Judith Hamer, a Westporter for 37 years, was the guest speaker for the club’s February luncheon.  Judith, an educator with degrees from Cornell, Smith and Columbia, has taught at City College of New York, Columbia University, and New York University.  As part of her Club Day presentation, Judith shared a talk on “Two-Ness”, her perspective on society’s judgements based on skin color, gender, etc.  Pictures of Judith’s ancestors, some now featured at the Smithsonian Institution, provided a personal face to their past struggles: as freed slaves in Virginia, her grandparent’s challenge of owning Brooklyn property, her parents’ determined efforts to receive advanced educations, and prejudice encountered finding jobs and housing from her own firsthand experience.  Strong family values, dating from slavery to the present day, have sustained these generations of Judith’s family.

Members arriving for December Club Day were treated to a festive clubhouse, decorated for the holiday season, thanks to many dedicated members of the WWC Garden Department (chaired by Garden Chair Vivian Rosenberg).  From the handmade wreath gracing the WWC foyer door, decorated trees from the Dining Room to the Bedford Hall Stage, handmade centerpieces of seasonal greenery from our clubhouse gardens, to a boutique for member holiday shopping, Garden Department members provided all attending with a beautiful holiday setting. (more…)

Arantxa Mateo, a weight management mentor, was the guest speaker at November Club Day.  Ms. Arantxa’s personal struggles with weight in her teen years, propelled her to study biology and nutrition as an educational path.  Arantxa has developed the 32 Mondays Weight Management Program (32mondays.com), which is not a diet but rather an educational program to teach people how to manage their weight for the rest of their lives.  Her club day program featured 25 Tips, Recommendations and Best-Kept-Secrets to avoid gaining weight over the Holiday Season, as well as her three “S” for weight management success.

“Westport Woman’s Club members and friends participated in the
MAKING STRIDES Against Breast Cancer Walk on 10/20/19, led by WWC Past President,
Audrey Rabinowitz, who has organized the club’s participation for the past 14 years.”
Photo taken by WWC Member Gloria Smithson

Westport Woman’s Club members and friends joined survivors, caregivers, and walkers of all ages at the MAKING STRIDES Against Breast Cancer Walk this morning at Sherwood Island State Park for the WWC’s 14^th consecutive year of supporting this cause.  The American Cancer Society has organized this MAKING STRIDES walk in Fairfield County for the past 26 years to raise funds for research and support for those diagnosed with breast cancer.  To learn more about MAKING STRIDES of Fairfield County, contact your local American Cancer Society office during standard business hours (Katie Divenuto, FairfieldCTstrides@cancer.org,  203-563-1513). (more…)

October Club Day’s program featured Deby Goldenberg, a certified yoga therapist and a Tai Chi/Qi Gong instructor, who has also achieved a 3^rd degree black belt.  Deby began her post-luncheon program by demonstrating the saber form, followed by introducing WWC members to Qi Gong in a guided meditation, including both standing and seated positions within Bedford Hall.   Qi ("subtle breath" or "vital energy") and Gong ("skill cultivated through steady practice") is a mind-body-spirit practice that improves one’s mental and physical health by integrating posture, movement, breathing technique, self-massage, sound, and focused intent. (more…)

Bedford Hall was fittingly decorated in a red/white/blue patriotic theme for the club’s June luncheon, as the membership prepares for their largest WWC fundraiser of the year ~ the YANKEE DOODLE FAIR (June 13 – 16).  

Following lunch, our featured speaker was our own WWC Board member, Donna Pellittieri, who was trained as a Fashion Designer at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology.  Donna initially worked in the fashion industry, but decided to return to school to become an O.R. nurse to support  her “art habit”.  Donna described seeing an ad in the back of a woman’s magazine, ordering a kit, making dolls with her artistic flair, entering her creations in competitions, and ultimately finding her passion in “Art Dolls”.  Donna has now been making dolls for over 30 years. (more…)

Westport Woman’s Club members made memories marching in the 2019 Westport Memorial Day Parade.  Thanks to our WWC First VP, Kim Reichert, for organizing all the logistics of the morning maneuvers to get this group to our starting line ~ no easy feat!  What a beautiful day and meaningful tradition. (more…)

Westport Woman’s Club members gathered in early May for a Girls Night Out FUNdraiser at “Painting with a Twist” (1460 Post Road East, Westport).   Music rocked, wine flowed, and members channeled their inner Van Gogh while painting  “Sunflowers in Tin”.  The evening raised over $500 for WWC charitable causes.  Thanks to member Susan Fox for chairing and coordinating this memorable event, and gratitude (more…)

The Westport Woman’s Club welcomed Matt Storch, celebrity chef and restaurant owner of Match Burger Lobster in Westport, Match in Norwalk and Nom-eez in Bridgeport, as their speaker for February Club Day.  Matt grew up in Westport, but his travels around the world as a child, as well as his close relationship with his grandmother, inspired him to follow food as a passion and become a chef.    (more…)

The Staples High School Orphenians Choral group directed by Luke Rosenberg performed holiday songs to the delight of the Westport Woman’s Club Members. (more…)

WWC Members Christina McVaney (Current President) and Jeannette Tewey (Past VP, 2018 Memorial Day Float Organizer), accept an award at Westport Town Hall on November 11, 2018.  Presenting the award are Bill Vornkahl, President of the Westport Veterans Council (also Director of the 2018 Memorial Day Parade) and Betty Lou Cummings (Chief Judge for the 2018 Memorial Day Parade Floats). (more…)

Flamenco, a derivative of the spanish word for “fire” or “flame”, was the program focus for October’s luncheon.  Thanks to a past WWC Member, Penny Pearlman, members embarked on a historical journey from 1774 when flamenco was “voiced”, to the Golden Age of Flamenco (1850-1910) when spanish cafes and restaurants pulsated with Moorish influences and staccato sounds of dance.  (more…)

Women interested in joining The Westport Woman’s Club were invited to a New Member Reception in the WWC’s historic clubhouse.  New and prospective members learned about the WWC and its many opportunities for community service, fundraisers, special interest groups and monthly membership meetings with catered lunches and speakers. (more…)

The Westport Woman’s Club welcomes Christina McVaney as its new President as the Club enters its 112^th year of service, fundraising and philanthropy.  A Westport resident since 2007, Christina places great importance on giving back to her community.  She has served the WWC as co-chair of several fundraisers, including the club’s largest fundraiser, The Yankee Doodle Fair, for the past five years.   

While balancing her career as a residential realtor, Christina has consistently carved personal time for her commitment to volunteerism.  Christina is a current board member for “Neighbors and Newcomers of Westport” and was an active PTA parent while her three children attended Westport Public Schools.   As WWC president, Christina’s schedule will include overseeing Westport Woman’s Club operating budgets, annual grant awards, need-based scholarship awards, food closet collaboration with the town’s Human Services Department, board meetings, social gatherings, holiday giving, and club fundraisers throughout the year. (more…)

Westport Woman’s Club members and their families enjoy an annual summer tradition, a lobster dinner at the Ned Dimes Marina at Compo Beach on Sunday, August 19, 2018.  Click here to view  DanWoog06880 article. (more…)

All proceeds will go to charitable, educational and public health services in Westport and surrounding towns.

(more…)

(more…)

(more…)

(more…)

Kim Reichert and Audrey Rabinowitz were named "Princesses" (also, much to their surprise!) We celebrated with delicious food prepared by Hostesses Kim and Leah.

WWC Memorial Day Parade Float - Dry Run 2017 (more…)

(more…)

Wakeman Farm Spring Dance at The Westport Woman's Club.  See photos below.

(more…)

The Gourmet Group met Tuesday, March 21 and had a demonstration on various types of fried rice. The guest chefs were Ralph Hunt, John Zline and Sarah Crews (our granddaughter). In the clip, Jerry and Barbara Gladnick are watching and commenting on the cooking. The menu was Fried Rice with Shrimp, Thai Fried Rice and Rosemary, Olive Oil and Orange Cake. The dessert was provided by Heike Martin and Dorothy Packer. (see video below) (more…)

The Garden Room is preparing beautiful fresh wreaths, swags and boxwood trees for the holidays.  To guarantee availability, please submit your order by Friday, November 18, 2016.  Click here for:  Order Form.