The Century Club
was established in 1895 by a woman of vision named Mercy Annie Allen Trapnell. It was a
time when women had not been received into full intellectual equality with men. Ms.
Trapnell, knowing there were other women who shared her interest in books and study,
invited twenty-five friends to become the charter members of the Shakespeare-Browning
Class. These twenty five friends invited three friends each. When they met in one place
there were a hundred women searching for culture, self-improvement and knowledge. They
called themselves "The Century Club".
In the beginning membership was limited to 100, but by 1908 the membership increased to
250 women. Throughout the past 110 years, the Century Club has been an active, significant
part of our community as well as a vital influence in the lives of many. The Century Club
is a member of a larger organization from which it gets its structure and direction. The
General Federation of Women's Clubs is an impressive worldwide organization. Visit their
website at www.gfwc.org.
In January of 1934, after meeting in various locations in Amsterdam, the club house was
formally opened. Over the years it has held concerts, theater productions, blood drives,
health fairs, wedding receptions and many community events. The Century Club's milestones
and accomplishments include establishing the free milk program to kindergartners, the bird
sanctuary at Sassafras Park, and the "Welcome to Amsterdam" signs.
The goal of the Century Club was and still is the mental, moral and social development of
its members and the civic improvement of the community. We sponsor annual scholarships,
support the arts, and participate in community projects that promote friendship and
understanding within the community. We are women from all walks of life, race and
cultures, who come together to make our home, community and world a better place to live. |
