Houston Heights Woman's Club facts for kids
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Houston Heights Woman's Club
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The building's exterior in 2016
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 Location in Texas
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1846 Harvard St., Houston, Texas |
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| MPS | Houston Heights MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83004463 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 22, 1983 |
The Houston Heights Woman's Club is a special group that started way back in 1900. It was formed to help with things like reading, science, and art. The women who started the club also wanted to support a library and promote painting and music.
In 1905, the club members wrote down their rules. They added that a big part of their goal was to "aid and encourage charitable and educational interests of Houston Heights." This means they wanted to help people and schools in their community.
The original group, now called the Houston Heights Woman's Club-Heritage Group, is still active today. For over 100 years, these friendly women have helped shape the history of the Heights area and Houston. They have also been leaders in supporting women's issues. They meet regularly for luncheons and enjoy many activities. These include community service, raising money for good causes, and social events.
In 2007, a new group called the Houston Heights Woman's Club-Evening Group was also started.
Contents
A Look Back: The Club's History
The Houston Heights Woman's Club (HHWC) is a non-profit organization. This means it works to help others, not to make money. Its main goals are to keep the club's history alive and to offer ways for members to socialize and help the community.
The club began in 1900 as the Houston Heights Literary Club. It was part of a bigger movement of women's clubs across the country. Soon, the group grew too big to meet in people's homes. So, in 1912, the Clubhouse at 1846 Harvard became the official home of the Houston Heights Woman's Club.
This club quickly became a very important part of the Heights neighborhood. Through volunteering and social activities, many generations of members have kept the HHWC's legacy strong.
Club Presidents Through the Years
Here is a list of some of the women who led the club in its early years:
| President | Year |
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| Mrs. D.D. Cooley | 1911–12 |
| Mrs. W.A. Renn | 1912–14 |
| Miss Ella McKinney | 1914–15 |
| Mrs. A.B. Sealdon | 1915–18 |
| Mrs. J.S. Purdy | 1918–20 |
| Mrs. B.F. Coop | 1920–22 |
| Mrs. C.A. McKinney | 1924–26 |
| Mrs. John Rose | 1926–28 |
| Mrs. O.F. Gordon | 1928–30 |
| Mrs. W.J. Roland | 1930–32 |
| Mrs. W.B. Welling | 1932–35 |
| Mrs. H.L. Phillips | 1935–37 |
| Mrs. T.B. Reed | 1937–39 |
| Mrs. C.H. Wilson | 1939–41 |
| Mrs. Frank Clappart | 1941–43 |
The Club Collect: A Special Prayer
The Houston Heights Woman's Club has a special prayer called the "Club Collect." It was written by Mary Stewart in 1904. The members say this poem at the start of every meeting. It reminds them of their goals and values.
Here is the "Club Collect":
Keep us O God from pettiness; Let us be large in thought, in word and in deed. Let us be done with fault finding And leave off self-seeking. May we put away all pretenses and meet each face To face, without self-pity and without prejudice. May we never be hasty in judgment And always be generous. Let us take time for all things; Teach us to put into action our better impulses, Straightforward and unafraid. Grant that we may realize that it is the little things that Create differences, That in the big things of life we are as one. And, may we strive to touch and to know the great, Common woman's heart of us all, And, O Lord God, let us not forget to be kind.
Mary Stewart was a school principal when she wrote this poem. She called it a "Collect For Club Women" because she felt that women working together for big goals was new and important. She believed they needed a special prayer of their own. Many women's organizations across the country use this same poem.
Joining the Club
If you want to join the Houston Heights Woman's Club, the yearly fee is $100. You can pay with cash, check, or online. While most members are women who live in the Heights area, anyone can join. Many of the club's events are planned for women in the community.
How the Club Helps the Community
The Houston Heights Woman's Club has achieved many great things over the years. They have always focused on helping their community and supporting important causes. Here are some of their key achievements:
| Achievement | Year | What They Did |
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| Work With the Red Cross | World War I | The HHWC helped during World War I. They took in soldiers and made bandages to send to the troops. |
| Creation of The Houston Heights High School Library | 1905 | The club helped raise money and build a new library for the community. |
| Donation to the Houston Public Library on Heights Boulevard | 1926 | The women of the club collected money and books for the new library that opened in the Heights neighborhood. |
| Assistance in the Creation of the Houston Public Library outdoor reading area | 1939 | The club helped the new library build an outdoor reading area. They believed in the power of books. |
| Assistance to the Red Cross | World War II (1943-1944) | A large group of 2,669 people, including members and volunteers, worked very hard. They made 1,176,699 surgical bandages for wounded soldiers during World War II. |
| Created the Women's Studies Library Initiative | Present | This project is ongoing in several libraries in the Heights. It involves collecting books about women's studies. |
| Helped Reagan High School Prom | 2012 | The HHWC helped students at Reagan High School who couldn't afford prom. They collected and gave out dresses, tuxedos, and accessories. |
| School Uniform Drive | Present | The club asks schools like Hogg Middle School and Harvard Elementary to collect new or gently used uniforms. These uniforms help students in need at Heights schools. |
| Star of Hope Toiletry Bags | Present | The women make toiletry bags with items like toothpaste and soap. These bags go to women in need and to the Houston Star of Hope Organization, which helps people experiencing homelessness. |
See also
