Washington Women's History Consortium

Women's Clubs and Organizations

Edna Hill, President, 1974-1976

Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs

The forty-second President of the Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs was born May 28, 1903, in Gruver. Iowa. The family moved to Seattle when she was four year, old.

Edna was educated in the Seattle Public School System and attended the University of Washington as a music major. She married Arthur Hill, a grain merchandising broker in 1929. They had two daughters, Julie and Gaye,

Edna has an outstanding record of civic accomplishments. For 12 years she served as a Guardian of Campfire Girls; for two years as Guardian for Job's Daughters, and as State Grand Musician for that organization. She was active in CARE for over 20 years.

She was a volunteer for the Seattle-King County Council on Aging. Edna was chairman of the Seattle Nursing Home Entertainment Programs providing monthly movies. She is a Past President of Sigma Kappa Sorority. She is a life member of PTA. She set up defensive driver courses for the Seattle-King County Safety Council and was awarded the Dorothy Gilmour Award for her work in the field of safety. In 197 1, she was named Seattle's Woman of the Year for her outstanding accomplishments.

In 1928, Ednajoined the Junior Woman's Educational Club. She organized the Cosmopolitan Club in 1974. Seattle Federation of Women's Clubs instigated the Edna Hill Scholarship for her work in selling Washington State Placemats. She has been a member of the Woman's Century Club.

Edna served as Ways and Means Chairman for four WSFWC Presidents. Her various committee chairmanships and offices led to her being elected WSFWC President for the 1974-76 Administration.

The theme for her administration was "As We Build Together - In Harmony. A major goal was to strengihen, serve, and build the WSFWC.

"As We Share Our Knowledge" was the theme for the Fall Conference and Board Meeting September 27-28, 1974, at the Holiday Inn in Yakima.

While at the GFWC Board Meeting, Edna received a GFWC First Lady Award for selling $500 worth of Washington placemats to Expo'70 in Osaka, Japan. Each state president was invited to the White House as a guest of Betty Ford and were greeted by President Gerald Ford.

The Thrifty Sense Shop was started by Tanya Howell, WSFWC Treasurer, Mrs. Hill and other clubwomen in 1972. By the time the lease was lost in 1980 and the shop closed, profits reached almost $18,000 for WSFWC. Funds were used to support over $12,000 in educational and international scholarships, $ 1,000 each for tree planting at the Sea-Tac and Spokane International Airports, donations to the restoration of the Governor's Mansion and funding for the Washington Clubwerman newspaper.

"Recycling Our Clubwomen" was the theme of the 70th annual convention May 7-10, 1975 at the Sea-Tac Motor Inn.

The September 26-27, 1975 Fall Conference and Board Meeting were at the Holiday Inn in Ellensburg. Iris Lohman was endorsed as a candidate for GFWC Junior Director. Two thousand copies of the WSFWC Bi-Centennial Resolutions Booklet were printed. Workshops took place covering Bi-Centennial, Leadership Techniques and the GFWC Design for the Handicapped.

A grant was received from the National Parks and Recreation Service for a test program on Energy Conservation Interpretation at Federation Forest State Park.

Mrs. Hill chose "Let Freedom Ring" as the theme for the 80th annual convention in Yakima May 5-8. 1976. Meal costs ranged from $1.80 for breakfasts, $4.00 for luncheons and $5.00-$9.00 for banquets. Delegates were urged to bring small bells and wear a Bi-Centennial outfit. Speakers' topics included: finance, national forcst~ and crime prevention.

A recommendation passed to donate a tablecloth to GFWC Headquarters at a cost of $140.

A total of $5,400 was awarded for scholarships in the fields of nursing and education.

This convention concluded Mrs. Hill's term as WSFWC President. However, she continued to serve Federation and was elected President of the Western State, Region for the 1982-84 tem. She visited Ecuador and Peru for two weeks visiting areas in these two countries where CARE was helping people to have a better life.