Washington Women's History Consortium

Women's Clubs and Organizations

Gladys Schmidt, President, 1958-1960

Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs

Mrs. Rudolph Schmidt (Gladys Copeland), Yakima, formerly of Zillah, was the 34th President of WSFWC. Her parents, Eli Grant and Lois Myrtilla Copeland came West in 1860, from Indiana. Gladys was born in 1900 and spent her childhood and received her education in Grandview. Her father bought a ranch at Zillah, while they were on a vacation trip in a covered wagon from Grandview to Thorp. Later Gladys' marriage to Rudy returned her to the rich agricultural area of Zillah.

Gladys left her job as a legal secretary to marry Rudolph Schmidt in 1924. He was an orchardist and buyer in the fruit industry.

"I hardly had my hat off before the Woman's Advancement Club asked me to join," she said.

The Schmidts had two sons, David and Phillip, who earned degrees in horticulture and worked in the fruit industry.

She loved growing roses and always had a rose garden. She traveled to every continent in the world except Antarctica and delighted in collecting wood carvings.

Her club activities included: President of the Advancement Club of Zillah; Secretary, Treasurer and President of the Yakima Valley District; WSFWC Legislation Chairman; First and Second Vice-president of Presidents Emeritus Club; and GFWC Chairman for the Community Achievement Contest.

She helped organize and write bylaws for many organizations in the Yakima area including Arboretum, Retired Senior Citizen Volunteer Programs, Political Organizations, and Church Reassurance groups.

At this time the membership of WSFWC was 8,500. One of the main concerns she had as President was to be sure the members were given good programs and worthwhile projects.

She wanted to be remembered for the excellent speakers and programs at conventions durina her term, not for the long gloves and flowery hats.

The opening theme for her term was "You will Know them by their Fruits," which likened the work of Federation to the production of fruits to which there are so many references in the Scriptures.

Her theme continued with "The Fruit Thereof Extendeth Itself," showing many areas of progress in Federation.

The 62nd convention of WSFWC was in Bellingham at the Leopold Hotel, May 8-10, 1958.

A mimeograph machine was purchased for WSFWC.

Mid-year board was in Richland at the Community House and Desert Inn Hotel on October 16-19, 1958.

A Youth tree planting project, under the supervision of the U.S. Forest Service was endorsed.

Mrs. Jack Yearout, chairman of the Conservation Department, represented WSFWC at the Congressional Hearing on Wilderness Area Bill in Bend, Oregon.

The 1959 convention was at the Winthrup Hotel in Tacoma in early May.

Two Educational Loan Fund Scholarships were given in the amount of $225.

Federation Forest State Park Fund showed a balance of $98,861.05 with the park containing 588 acres.

President Schmidt presented a short talk on the subject "We have Brought Forth much Fruit," in which she likened the community projects and activities of Federated Clubs to well-planted seeds.

Mrs. C.M. Lockwood presented the President a new gavel from the Sorosis Club of Spokane which had presented the original one made of apple wood 63 years ago. It was suggested that the old gavel be placed on display at all conventions.

Projects during her term included the establishment of Literacy classes for adults in several communities, a speaker from the U.S. Postal Service in Washington, D.C. who spoke on "Obscenity in the Mail," and of the furtherance of Community Improvement Contests.

Also during her term, members saw the continued improvement of Federation State Forest, the completion of the Maple Lane Pool Project, expanded scholarship program, and the State Sewing Contest.

Mrs. Dean Profitt was installed as the new WSFWC President. Special music was sung by the "Washington Federation Chorus."

Gladys said that the greatest challenge in her community service was seeing a need and trying to organize the right people to fulfill that need. It had to be a volunteer effort, which was always a challenge.

Mrs. Schmidt died in 1991.