Who are we?

The Woman’s Club of Hollywood, California,  which was founded in 1905, uses her architecturally historic Clubhouse and Hollywood School for Girls located in the heart of Hollywood, to address the issues and challenges facing her diverse, multicultural community in this age of Globalization through the advancement and promotion of cultural, social, educational and philanthropic endeavors which foster and create a cohesive “spirit of giving and community” amongst her members, neighbors and her community at large.

What do we do?

The Woman’s Club of Hollywood began with  a few community minded women who started collecting books, then with a $10,000 donation from Andrew Carnegie, built and donated the first library to the city of  Hollywood;  they were the Founding Members of the Hollywood Bowl;  they created the Hollywood Bowl Easter Sunrise Service, they formed the Hollywood Symphony Orchestra and the Hollywood Chorale Group;  during the two World Wars they housed the Red Cross and other relief organizations in their clubhouse and sold over $100,000 in the war bonds to help our troops abroad.  Their shared mission, vision and purpose was to contribute to the growth and enhancement of their city and residents which helped make Hollywood the entertainment capital of the world.

As the years passed, leadership changed, and visions became blurred, the organization's  original purpose shifted, resembling more of a social club, catering to the more elite.

Effective February 2010, the Woman's Club  underwent a change in leadership and vision.  With the election of a new Board of Directors its original mission was restated which also initiated the furtherance of becoming a tax exempt 501(c)3 organization.

The Woman's Club has returned to the ideals of our Founding Sisters by addressing the needs of a diverse Hollywood community facing the ever changing challenges of the 21^st century.  Our future goals will be realized through the following efforts:

• To help us in our mission we have been fortunate in finding not-for-profit organizations that share our vision with whom we partner and promote the education of inner city youths facing challenges in a global economy
• WCH has formed collaborative relationships with entertainment industry leaders to promote the education and advancement of the arts amongst the financially challenged in a time of economic uncertainty
• WCH partners in programs that educate and promote health, nutrition and well being in her efforts to stop the spread of childhood obesity
• Promotes outreach programs striving to stop gang violence prevalent in our community today
• Provides a gathering place for community groups such as the Neighborhood Councils that meet to address issues facing the community
• Is a polling place for Federal, State and local elections; a meeting place for Alcoholics Anonymous
• Provides an artists retreat for seniors struggling with depression and loneliness
• Through collaborative efforts with local programs and organizations, we provide a venue for young artists to display their musical talents, playwrights to produce their plays, screenwriters to show their documentaries or promote their independently produced films.

All this and more we are able to contribute right from the heart of Hollywood where we are ever so fortunate to be located.

As we have formed knew partnerships and created new programs to fulfill the needs of our community,  we shall also continue as we have in years  past, to support the established organizations such as the Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, the Humane Society, Shambala and PAL, in the years to come.

If you would like to contact a chairperson directly using the contact form please visit our contact page and direct message to that person.

History

The Woman’s Club of Hollywood was organized as a service club on April 15, 1905. Their contributions to Hollywood have been numerous and take pride in maintaining their continued excellence in community service.

Originally, it was called the Hollywood Club. The women would meet in each others homes to play whist, the forerunner of auction and contract bridge, and to discuss the latest books and plays.

Each of the ladies was active in social and civic events. Mrs. Churchill, wife of the principal of Hollywood High School, was the Clubs first president. At this same time, Andrew Carnegie, the street magnate, expressed his desire to establish libraries throughout the United States. The Club members decided to take advantage of the offer in order to have a library in Hollywood and give them a place to have their meetings. Dae Ida Wilcox-Beveridge offered a lot from her large ranch near the corner of Ivar and Hollywood Boulevard, then called Prospect Street. The lot was accepted, a building constructed, and a library was built. The Club met in the basement, while managing the library on the first and second floors.

In 1908 the Club transferred the library to the city and met in each other’s homes until they could fulfill their dream of a “home of their own” in 1914.

1913 the Club’s name was changed to Woman's Club of Hollywood; they were incorporated and became a member of the Federation of Women’s Clubs. Members were very active in war work during the World War I and World War II selling over $100,000 worth of bonds.

Club members organized a Hollywood Community Sing, which grew from 35 to over 900 participants who took part in the first Easter Sunrise Service at Whitley Heights in 1919. The women were active in starting the Pilgrimage Plays, the new Hollywood Hospital, and the famous Hollywood Bowl.

Their Clubhouse was sold after World War II, and its current location was purchased at 1749 North LaBrea Avenue. The first meeting in the new Clubhouse was 1949. One of the original buildings, the “Little Theatre”, was renamed Hospitality House. It was to be used for meetings of Shakespeare and Browning Groups and Board of Directors’ meetings. The Hospitality House still stands today and is used by acting groups as it was in the past.

The Cultural Heritage Commission of the City of Los Angeles recognized the Hospitality House and Clubhouse in 1994 as a Historical Monument.

"The Woman’s Club of Hollywood has a rich and interesting history, has hosted a myriad of activities, and made many contributions which affect the quality of life for its community and its residents.  Sociability, charitable work, and community involvement for almost one hundred years gives the Hollywood Coordinating Council reason to recognize your organization with the Year 2000 Community Service Award."