Washington Women's History Consortium
Women's Clubs and Organizations
Lucile Chastain, President, 1964-1966
Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs
Mrs. Wayne Chastain, the 37th President of WSFWC, was born in 1910 in Portland, Oregon, and died in 1987 in Spokane,
Washington. She was a devoted wife, mother and a dedicated church member. She was active in civic clubs and in many women's
organizations. Over the years, she belonged to Federated clubs in Washington, Oregon and California.
Mrs. Chastain was active in church work in Oaksdale, Washington and became a member of Grace Baptist Church when she moved to
Spokane in 1956. She was a member and officer of the Alpha Study Club, Women of Rotary and the American Institute of
Parliamentarians. Lucile was married to Wayne J. Chastain and they had two daughters, Judith Chastain of Spokane, and Ellen
Davis of Portland.
She assisted her husband in his business and was a gifted communicator. Her charming outgoing personality and clever sense of
humor afforded her instant recognition in any group. Her aims and hopes for the club when she assumed the leadership role was
ambitious and progressive, yet guided by conventional humanitarianism.
Lucile's theme was "Work is Love made Visible." She pressed for support of the International Scholarship, Help for the
Handicapped, GFWC Community Improvement Program, Sears Community Service Program and the completion of the GFWC Congressional
Medal of Honor Grove at Valley Forge.
She said it was an honor to have the privilege of serving others. In her column, From the President's Desk, in the
Washington Clubwoman, she wrote: Every part of the General Federation Program offers some type of participation to each
individual club member. It is so diversified that everyone can find something of interest in many different areas of
endeavor and service.
At Federation Forest, the Interpretive Center was completed and 200 people attended the Dedication. The Center was named the
Catherine Montgomery Center and the first trail from the Center is the Fred Cleator Trail named in memory of those two people
who were so interested in the Federation Forest. Total assets in the Federation Forest Fund were $37,733.01.
At the Fall Mid-Year Board, Mrs. Chastain introduced a project to use discarded nylons to help handicapped people make craft
projects.
A Safety Conference, "Driver Education and Reeducation," took place following the GFWC Convention.
Lucile presided over the 69th annual convention at the Ridpath Hotel in Spokane, which began on Tuesday, May 11, 1965. There
were 313 registered at the convention.
Among the regular work of reports and resolutions was a Proclamation from Governor Daniel Evans, declaring the week of May 9-15,
1965 as WSFWC Week, and urging support of the organization and the ideas and ideals for which it stands.
The 70th annual convention began on Tuesday, May 3, 1966, in the West River Room of the Quay Restaurant in Vancouver. The
Convention honored the Diamond Jubilee of GFWC. GFWC was represented by First Vicepresident Mrs. E.D. Pearce from Florida and
Mrs. Earl Hazelton, GF Division Chairman and our own Mrs. Mitchell Doumit and Mrs. Dean Proffitt, Past Presidents of WSFWC.
After a friendly welcome, our President Lucile read greetings from GFWC President Mrs. William Hasebrook. The letter expressed
her hope that the 75th Diamond Anniversary had brought each clubwoman closer to GFWC and each would move forward.
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