Washington Women's History Consortium

Women's Clubs and Organizations

Dorothy Coleman, President, 1982-1984

Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs

Mrs. Earl L. Coleman (Dorothy Laura Christy) the forty-sixth President of the Washington State Federation of Woman's Clubs was born in Tenino, Washington, April 15. 1919. Dorothy came to Olympia in 1934 and resided there ever since. In 1942 she married Earl L. Coleman. a Painting and Decorating Contractor. Dorothy was educated in the Olympia schools and studied accounting at Olympia Technical Community College. From 1945 to 1975 she assisted her husband in their business.

Club work has been a prominent part of Dorothy's life. She served the Woman's Club of Olympia as President three times. She also was President of the Rainier-Pacific District and the WSFWC President Emeritus Club.

In 1978 she was voted one of the top ten citizens of Thurston County. In addition to being a homemaker and assistant to her husband, Dorothy has pursued many other activities. Her interests include history of Washington women, health, education, international affairs and travel. Work in her church, club and community has been her life.

The theme for WSFWC's 1982-84 administration was "Preserving Our Heritage Through Volunteer Efforts."

Dorothy presided at the eighty-seventh and eightyeighth annual conventions of WSFWC. The eight-seventh was at the Red Lion Motor Inn in Bellevue, Washington. The general theme of the convention was "Memories of the Past."

In 1982, there was much interest in updating the bylaws and the committee worked diligently to make them more meaningful. A new book was compiled and printed. The resolutions were carefully gone through as there was much housekeeping to be done. These were also updated and printed.

The General Federation of Women's Clubs presented a new project of four figurines made by the Hummel factory in Germany. The figurines represented four areas of the past one hundred years ofelub work. The four depicicd~ the early days, the Flapper, the 50's and the 90's. The molds were broken at the conclusion of this two-v at project.

Nineteen scholarships were given in the years 198283, totaling $5,500.

It was felt that a more efficient way to operate our fmance~ was ne,ded. A new office, Financial Secretary, was created. Irma Grace Henderson graciously accepted the position.

Much to the sorrow of members, Past President Marjorie Anderson, passed away the morning of April 30, 1983 while attending the convention. A standing tribute was given her.

During the summer, many members enjoyed a wonderful conservation workshop at Cispus, on White Pass, under the leadership of Bea Moore of Vancouver.

Fall Board was in Wenatchee at the Thunderbird Inn, September 30 and October 1, 1983.

The Eighty-eighth convention on May 3-6 was at the Red Lion Motor Inn in Spokane. The theme was "A Time of Sharing: Federation Fun and Fellowship. The GFWC guest was GFWC President Juanita Bryant from North Carolina.

One ofthe highlights of the convention was a pageant put on by the Hope Rebecca Lodge called "Women of the Bible." The group was in period costumes and the pageant was very impressive.

Many awards were given and it was a joy to see what had been accomplished over the year. Jack Soldate. CARE Representative presented a program which featured "Juanita's Incredible Journey" into a needy part of the world where CARE works.

During this administration. the GFWC Women's History and Resource Center was started. ft was at this time that the need to update the WSFWC histories , a~ discussed. The committee had in mind the centennial date of 1996 its a deadline for completing the project.

Fell- ing her term as WSFWC president. Dorothy was named WSFWC Historian and chairman of the History and Resource Committee. She encouraged clubs to send materials to the Suzzalo Library and she and the committee members wrote the histories from 1952-1996, completing them in time for the anniversary celebration.

A stvie show was given by the Woman's Club of Spokane called "The Centennial Collection." It as all vintage clothing that had been collected over the past few years and modeled by their members. Bonnie Walden was named Clubwoman of the Year.

At the Saturday night banquet, the group gave a Chautauqua Salute to GFWC President Juanita Bryant. whichsheloved. It was cry pretty to see all of the ladies standing and waving a white handkerchief its a salute to out Honorable President of the General Federation of Women's Clubs.