Washington Women's History Consortium

Women's Clubs and Organizations

Elizabeth Doumit, President, Cathlamet, 1951-1953

Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs

Mrs. Mitchell Doumit, Elizabeth Jane Foster, the 30th President of WSFWC, was born in Cathlamet, WA, January 6, 1909, to Neil and Ellen McGill Foster. Elizabeth was educated in Cathlamet grade and high schools. Graduating with honors, Elizabeth then attended the University of Washington. She met and later married Mitchell Doumit of Cathlamet, where he practiced law until his death in 1978.

They had two children, a son, Michael, graduate of the University of Washington. He went into the service as a pilot and was killed when his plane blew up in the air. He was 23 years of age in 1953 and a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. A daughter, Mary Elizabeth Doumit Thomas, became a teacher.

Mrs. Doumit worked as a high school librarian from 1945-1947. She worked as a bookkeeper in 1945 and later in 1958, started her own office as an income tax accountant.

She was active for many years in Federation, serving her club, district and state. She served as Western States Region President 1968-1970. She continued to serve in many capacities over the years.

She was elected President of WSFWC in Tacoma in June 1951. She accepted the responsibility with simple dignity and designated the group of women who would follow her leadership for the next two years as a "great spiritual force."

Her first official acts were evidence of her prime interests - youth and good government. She attended a meeting of the State Council for Children and Youth in the Governor's Office in Olympia. The following day she attended the convention of former Students Association of the School for the Blind.

Mrs. Doumit presided at the 56th Convention at Walla Walla, June 2-5, at the Marcus Whitman Hotel. The pre-convention program started with a club institute on "Leadership Now." It featured a panel discussion on "Committees with Enthusiasm and Push," "Privileges and Compensations of Active Club Members," and "Up to the Minute Programs and Procedures."

The 1953 Convention was in the historic setting of Longview. The year 1953 was the 100th anniversary of the Washington Territory. The theme of the convention was "Our State Heritaae."

In 1952-53, there were many projects that our Federation worked on including "Getting Out the Vote." Our organization worked at the precinct level to make this a nation of two great political parties, so necessary to our republican form of government.

Family life was encouraged along with the responsibility. Education was a large interest of the women's clubs. Encouraging clubs to give scholarships to offer higher education to young people was promoted. A large effort was made to promote the Fine Arts, including exchange of pictures, poetry, and food parcels.

The clubs' interests in the United Nations and its agencies helped clubwomen to understand how we can work together for the betterment of our world.

The blind, deaf, mentally retarded and behavior problems of youth have been helped because of the wonderful work of the clubwomen. Humanitarian drives such as the Red Cross, Cancer, Heart, and the Blood Mobile have been supported along with contributions toward scholarships for foreign students which promote better international understanding and friendships.

The willing assistance in the Veterans programs and hobbies for the aged have been of interest to club members. Conservation and Community Improvement Projects have all benefited American life at the local level.

The 1993 convention inspired delegates to go home to their various clubs and do all in their power to carry out the recommendations of WSFWC and GFWC to make the next two years full of purpose and real accomplishment.