The Centralia Business and Professional Women’s Club Celebrated its 100th birthday at a reception at the Centralia Historical Museum on Saturday.
The event included a reception, history of the club, a display of scrapbook items and photos as well as honoring members reaching their own significant years of membership.
Co-chair Stephanie House says the club traces its history to a visit from a St. Louis businesswoman who came to Centralia in 1926 to see if there was interest in starting a club there. The answer was yes, which led to an open meeting of the new organization attended by 60 people.
House says the goals of the club remain the same today as in the beginning:
“The club’s objective then and now are: To elevate the standards of women in business and in their professions, to bring out the spirit of cooperation among business and professional women of the United States, and to extend opportunity to these women through education along the lines of industry, science, and vocational activity. Their aim was to work for and improve Centralia, and this has happened for 100 years.
The top members recognized for length of membership included Sally Tiemann for 30 years and Karen Rogers for 35 years.
“The support that this organization gives to its members is unspeakable,” Rogers said. “It’s remarkable, and it has gotten me through some hard times.”
Several other long-time members shared similar stories.
The club noted they are continuing to grow, with 11 new members so far this year and nine last year.
Centralia BPW historical items on display at the Centralia Historical Museum. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
