Officers of the Millen Woman's Club are, from left, first row: Anette Head, president; Gail Voyles, Woman's Club First District president; and Diane Wade, parliamentarian; and second row: Kay Green, reporter; Art Johnson, secretary; and Brenda Sharpe, vicepresident. Not pictured: Mandy Underwood, treasurer. (Staff photos by Deborah Bennett)

Past presidents, city and county officials and other special guests were invited to help Millen Woman's Club celebrate its 100th anniversary Nov. 18 in the social hall of Millen Baptist Church. President Anette Head welcomed everyone, and Past President Diane Wade shared the club collect as the inspiration. Vicepresident Brenda Sharpe led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

After the recognition of special guests, Mrs. Wade presented the history of the Millen Woman's Club, which was formed in 1908. She noted that one of the earliest projects was the purchase of a water wagon for the community. Since Millen had only dirt roads then, and people kept their windows open to let in cool air, the truck sprayed water to keep the dust down.

Past presidents of the Millen Woman's Club attending the club's 100th anniversary celebration were, from left, Diane Wade, Art Johnson, Sheila Lovett, Marilyn Knight, Carolyn Newton and Jackie Landrum.

Mrs. Wade also explained that several civic clubs joined together to fund the building of the Millen Community House. Millen Woman's Club borrowed $1,500 to contribute to the $9,000 cost of the building, and paid off the loan in three years. That note, in addition to early by-laws and yearbooks were displayed for all to see. It was evident that over the decades, Millen Woman's Club has carried out many projects for the benefit of Millen, and the members continue this involvement today.

Mrs. Head next introduced the six past presidents who were present. They were Mrs. Jackie Landrum (1952-1953), Mrs. Carolyn Newton (1958- 1960), Mrs. Marilyn Knight (1993-1997), Mrs. Sheila Lovett (1997-2000), Mrs. Art Johnson (2000-2004) and Mrs. Diane Wade (2004-2008). Each past president commented on her time as president and on what the club had meant to her.

The program was concluded with a Power Point presentation by club member, Gilda Rackley. It described the organization and goals of Woman's Club and showed slides of many of today's members involved in club activities. Everyone was then invited to have refreshments, visit with one another and view the club artifacts from the early 1900's.