The 1930s

Digging in the archives of the 1930s shows how our new Clark County Branch had serious topics to consider in that decade of The Great Depression. Branch meeting speakers were often from Portland and spoke about national and international affairs, status of women, concerns about public education. Some schools were closing for lack of funds, while, at the same time, new child labor laws were putting thousands of children back into the schools. Novel approaches were considered. Could the radio play an important part in education?

Each branch meeting included musical selections. There were soloists and ensembles, vocal and instrumental. Large rotating teams of members always gave “a delightful tea.”

Interest or study groups were important from the beginning of the branch. In the 30’s there were groups for International Relations, Homecrafts, Drama/Playreading, Art, Parenting the Pre-School Child, and an evolving group that started as Creative Reading, then became Twentieth Century Literature, and finally settled down as Modern Literature.

Fund-raising was a concern then as now. One year a trip to the Portland Crematorium was arranged because the establishment offered 25 cents cash for each visitor!

In October, 1933 a mailing from the Association’s General Director reminded all AAUW members that the National Headquarters and Club was available to them whenever they visited Washington, D.C.

Located on I Street, two blocks from the White House, it was a five-story historic house. It was run by the Washington Branch for the Association. In addition to offices, it housed meeting rooms, dining rooms, a restaurant, and rooms to rent on the top two floors. One could stay for one night to three months. Rooms rented for $1.50 to $3.00, and meals ranged from 25 cents to a dollar. In case you were wondering, the building had an elevator.