Washington Women's History Consortium

Women's Clubs and Organizations

Louise Whiteley, President, 1962-1964

Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs

The 36th President of WSFWC was Louise Noble Whiteley. She was born in Oregon City, Oregon, where her father was a judge. She moved to Everett, WA, to begin her teaching career. There she married John Whiteley in 1934. They had one daughter, Flora.

If "Take Time for All Things" had been her motto, Louise would have exemplified it by her activities and accomplishments. She served as President of the largest and oldest club in Snohomish County and later as District President. During this same period, she served as an officer and program chairman in the local, district and national Federation of Garden Clubs. This resulted in her being in charge of the convention of the WSFWC and the national convention of the Federation of Garden Clubs at the same time.

She also served her church in local and regional capacities.

At the 1962 state convention at the Cascadian Hotel in Wenatchee, Louise was elected President. "Look to this Day" was her message as she began her administration.

The 1962 Fall Board Meeting was at the Women's University Club in Seattle.

The WSFWC budget for 1962-63 totalled $8,530 with income mainly from dues, interest and convention registrations. Disbursements included GFWC dues at 35 cents per member.

The Seattle Federation and Judge Evangeline Starr were honored for their street lighting project, which won them $150 at GFWC Convention.

The Executive Committee met November 26, 1962, in the home of Mrs. Whiteley in Everett.

On May 5, 1963, Mrs. Whiteley called the preconvention Board Meeting to order, in the Chinook Hotel, in Yakima.

GFWC Resolutions covered the following topics: Literacy, Aid to Dependent Children, Preservation of our Religious Heritage, Safeguarding the American Home, Regulating the use of Stimulant Drugs, and Long-Range Tax Reduction. An emergency resolution requesting the President of the United States to proclaim November 19, 1963, as Gettysburg Address Centennial Day passed.

Ground was broken for the Maple Lane Pool on January 11. Open house and dedication were on March 5, 1963. The balance of the pool fund of $950.66 was transferred to a similar fund to be handled directly by the Maple Lane School. This action terminated the responsibility of WSFWC with the project.

The 67th Annual Convention of WSFWC was at the ChinookHotel in Yakima May 5-7, 1963. Convention registration totalled 427.

The Federation Forest report included a balance on hand of almost $99,000 in savings, stocks and bonds. Mrs. Mitchell Doumit gave a resume of the Endowment Fund from its origin in Ellensburg in 1913. Three funds of $13,000, $12,000 and $11,000 were completed.

The WSFWC Fall Board Meeting was at the Holiday Motor Hotel in Yakima on August 28-29, 1963. A total of 45 members were in attendance.

The Board recorded its approval of a comprehensive Washington State Program for the development of outdoor recreation resources, as well as approving of the policy of utilization of Marine Tax money for the acquiring and developing of both fresh and salt water marine facilities.

The theme of the 68th Annual Convention was "Let There be Light." The convention was at the Olympic Hotel on May 2-4, 1964. A fun tour of the Seattle Civic Center (site of the World's Fair) was part of the program. Charles W. Ferguson, senior editor of the Reader's Digest delivered the keynote address on "Words to the Wise," a speech on the enjoyment of the language.

A workshop took place on club courtesies and Parliamentary Procedure.

A Status of Women Panel was moderated by Judge Evangeline Starr.

Following the banquet on Saturday evening, an hour of music proceeded the Installation of Officers, with Mrs. Wayne Chastain becoming the new President of WSFWC.