Perhaps it was a slow news week.
More likely, a Westport Woman’s Club member’s husband was a high-ranking Life Magazine staffer.
Whatever the reason, on August 11, 1947 America’s leading photo magazine featured the organization in a 2-page spread.
Describing the town of 8,258 just 45 minutes from Manhattan, Life said Westport “pleasantly combines the character of New England and the up-to-date bustle of a commuting population.”
Like most American towns, Life noted, Westport has a woman’s club. But ours had “little time for lectures, cards and teas.”
The Life magazine story included this photo of members of the Westport Woman’s Club.
Instead — already 40 years old — the Westport Woman’s Club had transformed our “once somnolent” town through good works: organizing and funding street signs, public drinking fountains, garbage collections and trash cans, playgrounds, sidewalks, street lights, hot lunches in schools, and lifesaving equipment and a pavilion at Compo Beach.
Now, Life said, the club was focused on a visiting nurse service, free milk for underprivileged children and a free dental clinic. They also provided over $1,000 in scholarships each year.
Life reported that Ann Jones, 18, won a $300 art scholarship from the Westport Woman’s Club.
With 693 members — but annual dues of only $3 — members relied on the Yankee Doodle Fair to fund those projects. The 1947 event raised $18,000, with attractions like a merry-go-round, dart games, pony rides, and a raffle with prizes including cars, washing machines, luggage, watches and cases of scotch.
The Yankee Doodle Fair, as shown in the August 11, 1947 issue of Life Magazine.
More than 70 years later, the Westport Woman’s Club — and Yankee Doodle Fair — are still going strong.
Which is more than can be said for Life magazine.
(Hat tip: Paul Ehrismann)
A caption for this Life magazine photo described children of Westport Woman’s Club members, playing on a sidewalk that the organization helped build.