History of our club

The History of the Woman's Club of Tarpon Springs, Florida, Inc.

The Woman’s club of Tarpon Springs has entered its 133th year (in 2025) and we have a proud heritage. Tarpon Springs is one of five clubs that met in 1895 in Green Cove Springs (Jacksonville area) to organize the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs (FFWC) which now has over 240 Clubs statewide.

Being a volunteer today is every bit as important today as it was in 1892 when the Woman’s Club of Tarpon Springs was founded.  On a given day, our members are hard at work in our library, the hospital, schools, churches, senior citizen organizations, nursing homes and many areas that benefit from our volunteerism.  We are a very diversified group of women, all working toward the same goal: community improvement through volunteer service.

In 1892, inspired by civic pride, a group of women in Tarpon springs met with Mrs. Soledad Safford, wife of the former governor of The Territory of Arizona, to organize a club.  This club was known as The Town Improvement Association. They set to work to bring about their vision of a beautiful Tarpon Springs. From the beginning, Tarpon Springs women raised money for the first school building, the first oil burning street lamps, for the churches, for welfare, for health, education, bird & tree protection and temperature. They could preside over a meeting, whip up a batch of pies, or make a picnic out of a hard day’s work. For many years, before the city took over this work, they cleaned the streets with their own brooms, picked up litter, planted trees, flowers and shrubs and kept the Bayou clean.  They turned on the gas lights at night and raised money to install wooden walks and lights around the Bayou.

In 1894, these same women started the Cycadia Cemetery Association and were instrumental in starting the school system in Tarpon Springs.

Soledad Bonillas de Safford, as she ascribed herself in Spanish fashion, she came out of the antique Spanish-Mexican culture where a woman might be seen but was seldom heard. As a strong personality, she kept her Spanish handsomeness and high spirits all her life. Probably from Governor Safford she acquired an interest in civic affairs and she had a natural taste and talent for leadership. In 1892, she founded the Women’s Town Improvement Society, which was reorganized as the Civic Club in 1904. Mrs. Granville Noblit, Sr was its’ first President. 

Another reorganization in 1906 resulted in the Woman’s Club of Tarpon Springs becoming Federated.  Mrs. Richard Clemson was our first President and the Club joined the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs. 

Sometime between 1892 and 1899 the Town Improvement Society became known as the Woman’s Town Improvement Society. In 1899, Mrs. J. C. Beekman, a member of the W.T.I.S. and Cycadia Association of Tarpon Springs, became President of the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs where she promoted club membership and organization of clubs.

Mrs. Amelia Meres, a club member well known for her love of nature, gave land to the city for a park located at Tarpon and Pinellas Avenue.  Our women took care of the park and in 1923 placed a large urn there in memory of “Mother Meres” where it still stands.  Today the Garden Club of Tarpon Springs maintains the park.

Originally the WCTS had club rooms on Pinellas Ave, south of what is now the Cultural Center.  In 1927, Mrs. Viola (J.C.) Beekman gave her home, in what is now Craig Park, for use as a clubhouse. Luncheons were held there and the membership then adjourned to the Tourist Club next door for their meetings.

Since 1930 the WCTS and the Garden Club of Tarpon Springs joined hands to carry out programs of beautification such as installing a watering system around the former library and planting trees at the Neighborhood Center and along Tarpon Ave. 

During World War II (1939-1945), GFWC clubwomen assisted with war bonds to help purchase bombers and planted victory gardens. The WCTS gathered clothes, food, medicine and other items for the needy.  They used their clubhouse as a warehouse for such items. Members sewed for the Red Cross and collected wedding dresses for brides before their loved ones went off to war.  Across the country, GFWC clubwomen helped pass legislation for seatbelts.

In the 1950’s, the WCTS made toys for needy children at Christmas, purchased equipment for the Tarpon Springs Hospital, renovated the Tourist Club, gave to the library, sponsored art contests for school children, and worked with and for the black community’s kindergarten to help working mothers. Additionally, they gave to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Indian Reservation.

In 1969, The WCTS was presented with a silver tea service by
  the County Federation to honor their membership increase from 37 to 88.  The Tea Service is used every year at the September Membership Tea. It is now located in the Cultural Center’s museum.

In the 1970’s, the WCTS joined with the Garden Club to sponsor the Arts Festival in Tarpon Springs and began preparation for the Bi-Centennial of the United States and the Centennial of Tarpon Springs for 1976.  In 1977, the WCTS paid for a gold inscribed Tarpon Springs sign on Pinellas Ave.  In 1978 the WCTS was incorporated.

In March 1982, a former WCTS member, Carrie V. Lee, left a $12,500 legacy for the WCTS to establish a permanent scholarship fund.  Scholarships have been issued annually since then, using the interest on these invested funds and additional monies from the club treasury.

Under the direction of Audre’ Mossberg, club members stitched a beautiful quilt commemorating the presidents of the club. Each president chose a symbol of her tenure. The symbols were drawn by Arianne Payne and appliqued by the group. Lu Black directed all of the work and sewed the quilt together. Diana Vericella made a 2nd quilt to bring the clubs’ presidents current as of 2006.

In the Spring of 1998, Barbara Wood was installed as FFWC District 14 Director. WCTS was proud to witness our first member to serve in that position.  Since that time, we have seen Mildred Randino (2002-2004), Carole Weaver (2004-2006), Diana Burns (2008-2010) and Trish Gregory (2014-2016) as District 14 Directors. Karen Morris (2014-2016) was elected GFWC Florida Member-at-Large.

Another of our goals was to actively participate in the programs of the State and International Federated Women’s Clubs.  For the year 1999-2000, we won numerous awards and we were honored at State by winning Grand Prizes for our art.  In 2001 we continued to win awards for our membership and art. GFWC clubwomen worked to ensure the passage of the Child Labor bill, Compulsory Education bill, and Fire Protection for Schools bill. 

In 2001, We adopted The Lamplighter as our club logo in honor of our founding mothers. “Women Lighting the Way” is our theme and we are proud to use this logo on all of our club’s publications.

In the Spring of 2002, the club donated $1000.00 to adopt a painting at the Leepa-Ratner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs.  This resulted in our Club becoming an inaugural member of the Museum. A plaque has been placed beneath our adopted painting recognizing our contribution.

In 2003, working in conjunction with the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, our club sponsored “It’s Elementary” a showcase of K-5 art in Pinellas County developed by Mitzi Hunter. We again were an award-winning club at the GFWC Spring Convention.  The club co-sponsored a Health Fair at Citizens Alliance for Progress (CAP) and the Club continued to sponsor worthwhile events each year including filling backpacks with school supplies.

In 2004, 2005 and 2006, the club was nominated for the United Way of Tampa Bay volunteer award in Health Care & Health education. In 2005, Neila O’Neill won first place for her short story at the International Convention in Las Vegas.
 

In 2012-2016, the Club awarded $1000 to a senior at Tarpon Springs High School in an art contest “Pennies for Art”, developed by Mitzi Hunter.  In April 2016, the Art Scholarship program’s name was officially changed to The Mitzi Hunter Art Scholarship.  At the GFWC Spring Convention in the years 2004-2017, our club received many awards for our volunteerism through our Community Service Programs (CSP’s)

In 2006–2017, The funds generated by our annual fashion show and our Fun ‘N Games and Crafts Day enabled the club to support the needs of our community including the signature and/or special projects.

2004-2006 Karen Morris was president for 2 years. Her club project was Operation Smile – Changing our world one “smile” at a time. Club theme is “Smiling Faces Lighting the Way.”

2006-2008 Trish Gregory was president for 2 years. During my first 2-year term, we began helping to support the Farmworkers Self Help Group in Dade City, which has continued through the past 18 years.  We give them monetary assistance along with annual donations of clothing, food, and household items.  We also began an annual Arts & Crafts Fair at our November meeting to raise funds for a Tarpon Springs High School art scholarship. For our annual major fundraiser Fashion Show, we were able to obtain a private clothing and accessories boutique to come to us and set up her boutique for our show. Janet Carr’s “Accessories and More…” was a huge success for us and she donated at least $1,000 each year back to the club.  Her theme was “Celebrate the Art of Living”. We all have different talents and abilities.  As we “celebrate the art of living, it’s the “Doing of Things” that count.  There is “Joy” in working together to accomplish a common goal.

2008-2009 Betty Purchase was president. Her theme was “Seeking and Sharing Hope” supporting the State President’s Project Hope. Driven my this quote,. “She has the power to change her world, you have the power to help her.”  The fashion show this year raised money for Heifer International which donates animals as a means of irradicating poverty & hunger. We raised $5000 which provided an entire “arc” of animals.

2009-2010 Dolores Wilson was president. The ladybug was our mascot with the theme “Teamwork”.  Together we supported Domestic Violence Awareness, Children's Safety with the “W.H.A.L.E.” Program, Heifer International, The Women on the Way Scholarship and a Literacy Program “Once Upon a Time” at the elementary schools. We gave to more than 35 charities at the local, state, national and international level.  Our members volunteered throughout our community at churches, hospital, nursing homes, library, schools, special needs programs, and many other areas that benefited through volunteer service, all working together and making new friends along the way.“True friendship isn’t measured by time, but by the times shared.” Kelly Eileen Hake. Our Fashion Show was called “Back To The Docks” at the Riverside Venue (formerly Pappas Restaurant).

2010-2011 Sue Chisholm Jones was our president. Her mascot was “A Snowy Owl” to supply wisdom for our endeavors. They delivered clothing & household articles to the migrant farm workers in Dade City & gave away backpacks filled with school supplies to the CAP center children. Plus, their 2 fundraisers, “Fun ‘N Games Day” luncheon & Fashion Show called “Pretty Woman” at the Safety Harbor Spa.

Beginning In 2011, a committee composed of Barbara Wood, Anne-Todd Eisner, Sherri Patterson and Sherry Orr researched and designed a display of our club history for the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum.  This multi-year project resulted in a wall display showing the presidents’ history quilt, and an artifact case. The display case holds our Silver Tea Service, a plaque recognizing the Club from the City of Tarpon Springs, our State Award Winning Scrapbook, our Two Published Cookbooks, and a picture of Gerry and Christy Rogers. The financial support was in memory of Christy Rogers, past President by her husband Gerry Rogers in 2013. Each year the committee had set a goal of enlarging and fine tuning this exhibit.  In 2017, lighting was added which enhanced the displays.  Our next project was planned to be a technology display that will allow visitors to view current projects and international history of the GFWC.

2011-2012 Sherry Orr was our president. When she was President, her main fund raiser was the Humane Society. We donated towels, blankets, food and toys.  We also had a beach clean-up at Sunset Beach followed by a pot luck lunch. Health Fair at CAP with a partnership with Helen Ellis Hospital. We had physicals, backpacks with school supplies, and a light dinner. Our Fashion Show called “Wearin of the Green” was held at the Safety Harbor Spa. It was the first time we had gone outside Tarpon Springs. Sue Chisholm-Jones, past President donated a tree for Craig Park for their arborist program. We partnered with Kids and Kanine program at a middle school where they used kids with special needs to train golden retrievers. We held a fun and games day with games, lunch, crafts, and prizes.

2012-2013 Pat Baetens-Adler was our president.  Her theme was “Health and Well-being”. We had 2 fundraisers, “Fun ‘N Games Day” luncheon & Fashion Show called “Sunshine & Lollipops” at the Safety Harbor Spa.

2013-2014 Christy Rogers was our president. Her theme was focused on Veterans, Military Personnel and First Responders. We had 2 fundraisers, “Fun ‘N Games Day” luncheon & Fashion Show called “Hats Off To You!!!” at the Safety Harbor Spa.

In 2014, Carol Weaver was installed as the 61st President of the GFWC Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs. 2014 WCTS President, Anne Todd Eisner along with Sherri Patterson and her team, prepared our second state-of-the- art cookbook called “Dining with the Ladies”.  The proceeds were used in phase 1 and 2 at our Heritage Museum exhibit in Craig Park

2014-2015 Anne-Todd Eisner was our president.  Her President’s project was Tampa Bay Advocates Against Human Trafficking (TBAAHT).  We had 2 fundraisers “Fun ‘N Games Day” luncheon & Fashion Show called “Celebrating Spring” at Safety Harbor Spa.

2015-2016 Beverley Billiris was our president. The Butterfly represents the never-ending cycle of life. The Shepherd Center was her Presidents project focusing on assisting families in crisis. We had our 2 fundraisers “Fun ‘N Games Day” luncheon & Fashion show called “A Tropical Paradise” at the Safety Harbor Resort

2016-2018 Trish Gregory was our president for 2 years. Hacienda Girls was one of her Special Projects; Girls who have no place to live. These girls were not delinquent. They just are not able to live at home for many reasons, among them abuse, drugs in the family etc. We held two Arts & Crafts Festival Days, two “Day of Fun” Games” Days making Greeting Cards using Ink Stamps & Holiday Ornaments. Plus 2 Fashion Shows, “Life’s A Beach” Fashion Show at the Heritage Springs Country Club (2017) and “Lucky You” Fashion Show at the Safety Harbor Resort (2016).

2018-2019 Teddy Anne Stephen was our president.  Her President’s project was The Jacobson Culinary Arts Academy. Her goal was to build on positives. Thoughts and Ideas. The club raised fund for Operation Smile. Helping children with cleft palates.  We held a very successful “Kindness Rocks” Fashion Show at Heritage Springs Country Club, Our Day of Fun was a luncheon and a fundraiser. Playing Mah Jongg, Canasta, Poker, Card & Board Games along with making paper flowers for table decorations for our fashion show.

2019 WCTS was presented Non-Profit Business of the Year from the TS Chamber of Commerce.

2019-2020 Dee Isguzar was our president. The Dragonfly was her symbol representing change and light. Her President’s Project was Wheelchairs 4 Kids. We had 2 fundraisers “Fun Day” luncheon & Fashion Show called “Lighting the Way” at Heritage Springs Country Club.

2020-2022 Reggie Gibson was our president for 2 years. Low Riders Dachshund Rescue of Florida was her Presidents Project for both years. “Women Lighting the Way” was her theme. The club supported Honor Flight. Two veterans flew to Washington DC with guardian members, Mary Egeland & Dolly Vatikiotis. Project Smile was led by member Susan Foy. Priscilla Kowasic organized a book heroes program offering books to children at no cost and a program to read to them. Sherri Patterson worked the Women on the Way program, selecting students for scholarships. Preserving our earth by recycling and cleaning up the beaches has also been a focus of the Woman’s Club. We also donated to the Florida Everglades “Eagle” project.  Our Eagle is displayed in the Heritage Museum.  We volunteered at “Friends of Brooker Creek” to read to children & donated clothing & small appliances to Dade City Migrant Farm Workers. The Shutterbug trips were headed by Dolores Wilson. The Tarpon Singers sang at many events with Betty Purchase as the director and Barbara Philipson accompanist. These were the years of Covid and the club still accomplished a great deal. The annual fashion show was cancelled so on “zoom” the baskets and prizes that were donated for the show were auctioned off.  The club was able to continue to support all philanthropies.  We held an Art Mart and Bag Full of Fun fundraiser.

2022-2023 Kim Adams was our president. Her favorite accomplishment during her year as president was raising awareness for the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch. For years, this facility has been near and dear to her heart due to the way they provide homes for siblings in foster care. We visited their facility and saw first-hand how much the children are loved and cared for at the Safety Harbor ranch. We volunteered and made baskets for the annual Ranch Ride fundraiser. Being able to promote a project that you are passionate about through the President's project, is a wonderful benefit of serving as the role of president. Her theme for the year was compassion.

2023-2024 Andrea Marchica was our president.  Her theme was Sisters Sending Sunshine. Our mission this year was to spark joy and hope in the lives of our seniors. To help combat loneliness and depression.  Lets continue to show compassion for others, communicate when things get tough, find common ground, and show up with our hearts on our sleeves.  Some of our programs were the Pinellas Trail Adopt a Mile Cleanup, Day of Service donating food to the Shepherds Center. Honor Flight, Blingo, Book Heroes, Homemade cookie drive as well as many trips to visit Seniors with cards, gifts, treats and homemade items.

2024-2025 Jean Theofil Dinoff was our president.  Her themes were to Save the Honeybees, our ecosystems need pollinators and to support Human Trafficking and Domestic Abuse Awareness.  This year we created an awareness sticker to be placed in all public restrooms. Some of our programs were 5 Foot Fun Run, Blingo, Honor Flight recognizing Dolly Vatikiotis, a retired Navy Commander, a Fashion Show, Day of Service, Boggy Bear and Blanket donations, Book Heroes and a Line Dancing Fundraiser.

2025-2026 Nancy Munn is our current president.