The Plains District Woman’s Club was officially chartered in 1953 although plans to organize it began a year earlier.
Mrs. Mildred Diehl was the first elected president. Mrs. Diehl remembers the Club attracting over 80 members during its early years. The group met at the former Broadway High School (now J. Frank Hillyard Middle School).
The goal of the Woman’s Club was to “promote health, education, welfare, and culture in the community.” The Club orchestrated many creative ways to raise money for those endeavors.
One of the most popular fundraisers was annual Beauty Pageant. Each year from 1953 – 1973 (with the exception of 1954), a young woman was crowned Miss Plains District. Constant were sponsored by local businesses. Former Senator George S. Aldhizer II crowned the winner in19 of the 20 pageants held. According to information from the Woman’s Club display at the Plains District Memorial Museum, the theme for the 1964 pageant was “April in Paris.” As he placed the crown of the head of the winner, he said, “It might be nice to be in Paris in April, but I prefer to be in Broadway.”
Another favorite fundraiser was the local home tours. The first tour was held in November of 1986 and included five homes in the Broadway area: the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Maygarden on Rt. 613; Carlyle and Jane Lynch’s home on Holly Hill; The historic Tunker home owned by Sam and Jean Lindsay, the home of Charles and Gail Lohr, and the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mick on VA 873.
Other programs sponsored by the Plains District Woman’s Club include fashion shows, a Thieves Market, Easter Seal child sponsorships, Girls State sponsorships, and donations to civic organizations (student scholarships, The Village Library, Plains Day Care Center, Plains District Memorial Museum, Broadway and Timberville Fire departments, Broadway Rescue Squad, Plains Memorial Park, Broadway Community Park, and the area Food Bank).
The Plains District Woman’s Club still meets and is open to all women who are interested in working for the betterment of the community.
Current officers include:
President – Cathy Hunter 896-1442
Vice President – Linda Dinsmore 896-7957
Secretary – Michele Bushnell 896-8259
Treasurer – Darlene Sites 830-5954
The Club meets the 4th Tuesday of each month.
