Grace and grit

“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.”

The above quote by Henry Ford can summarize the history of the Elgin New Century Club, which lasted for 100 years before dissolution.

The Beginning

In February 1987, a group of ladies in Elgin decided to form a Ladies Literary Union. Many different clubs existed in Elgin including musical clubs, sewing clubs, church g roups, ancest ral groups and game clubs. But the purpose of this new club was the intellectual advancement of its members. Excitement was prevalent as the 20th century was approaching in 3 years and the women decided to name this new club the New Century Club.

Women power was b e ing recognized throughout the world and the women in the New Century Club endeavored to work and make Elgin a better place to live.

Women’s clubs around the nation were banding together and clubs in Texas formed the Te x a s Fede r at ion of Women’s Clubs (TFWC). Five years after organization, the Elgin New Century Club voted to become a federated club in 1903. This federation offered guidelines to promote volunteer work for improvements in education, natural resource conservation, home life, public affairs, international affairs, the arts, and Texas heritage.

The federated clubs decided to help public libraries in Texas and the New Century Club chose to participate. The Houston Post newspaper in 1903 tells of the members of the New Century Club hosting a dinner where 40 couples attended because the club was raising money to establish a library in Elgin. It was through the urging of TFWC that the Texas State Library and Archives was established and then recognized as an agency of the state government.

Keeping Together Membership in the New Century Club demanded involvement. Dues were required each year and three types of membership were recognized. Membership was limited to 35 active members and members were voted in by secret ballot. Absence for three consecutive meetings caused membership forfeiture. Each active member had to be a resident of Elgin, attend the meetings unless excused by illness, must serve on a committee, must participate on a program and serve as a hostess at least once a year. Associate membership required active membership for 10 consecutive years, pay dues, and serve as a hostess once a year. Associate members were excused from program participation. Life membership was granted after being an active member for 20 years and all club responsibilities were then excused.