A Short History of Madison Civics Club Past Civics Club Programs
In the winter of 1912, women’s right to vote was being considered by both Congress and state legislatures. Locally, this proposal had met with strong opposition in the Wisconsin State Legislature, and it was resoundingly defeated. Five Madison women, all activists in the women’s suffrage movement, formed a study group to develop ways of formulating their ideas for positive social legislation and to provide active support for such proposals. The five founding members each invited three more women who had demonstrated a civic awareness to join in the study group, and each of these invited three more to join. The first meeting of the group was in September of 1913 and took place in a member’s home. It was organized along the lines of the existing Men’s Saturday Lunch Club, with a social luncheon followed by the discussion of a current topic or matter of civic interest. Seventy-five women attended the first luncheon meeting, and the Madison Civics Club was off to a good start. The membership was carefully chosen. Each candidate, it was said, “must be brainy and outstanding in her own right, and must have developed a civic conscience.” Study groups were formed, speakers were invited to address the Club, and topics of local interest were presented in forum fashion followed by general discussion. By its tenth year the Club was considered an active and crusading organization of many accomplishments. In 1919 the Civics Club proposed that the city build a civic center and auditorium to accommodate large groups and offer hospitality, but the city was concerned with issues of planning and finance and did not follow through. By 1924 Civics Club membership had grown so large that meetings were moved to the Loraine Hotel and a waiting list for membership was begun. Club meetings had shifted focus from discussion of local issues to that of a general forum for ideas. Nationally known speakers were invited to address the Club on their topics of expertise. In 1937 the Club celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary with a public meeting at the University Field House and heard Mrs. Franklin Roosevelt speak to an audience of 5,000 on the topic of “Youth in a World of Turmoil.” With the exception of the period during World War II, the Club has met regularly and has continued to grow. Four or five luncheon meetings are held each Club season. In 1963 the site of the luncheon meetings was moved to the Park Motor Inn on the Capitol Square. By 1997, increasing membership caused another move to the newly constructed Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. It was considered highly appropriate for the Civics Club to hold its meetings there as such a facility had been proposed much earlier by Club members. Today the Madison Civics Club is open to both men and women. Anyone who wishes to join is welcome. The Club functions with a Board of officers and committee chairs who take pride in the Club’s commitment to providing stimulating speakers, recognition of outstanding young individuals and youth organizations, and the betterment of our local communities. The Madison Civics Club, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2011-2012, continues its long tradition of civic responsibility and public engagement. |
Past Civics Club Programs Short History Meetings held at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center 2018-19 2017-18 Things We All Should Know (But May Not Yet) 2016-17 Taking a Closer Look 2015-16 Imagine the Possibilities... 2014-15 Civil Discourse in a Changing Society
See more photos from the 2014-15 season 2013-14 Weaving the Fabric of Life with Compassion, Integrity and Hope
See more photos from the 2013-14 season 2012-13 Individual Rights and Societal Responsibilities
See more photos from the 2012-13 season 2011-12 Celebrating 100 years of Engaging Minds Co-Chairs: Laura McFadden / Kristi Williams 2010-11 Living in Community: The Connections We Share 2009-10 Defying the Odds: When They Said It Couldn’t Be Done 2008-09 Generation Next: We Can Learn from Them 2007-08 Over the Back Fence: Perspectives from Our Neighbors 2006-07 Opening Minds, Engaging Community 2005-06 The Courage of Their Convictions: One Who Risks Makes a Difference 2004–05 The Potential and Power of the Human Spirit 2003-04 Rights and Justice 2002-03 The American Dream 2001-02 Communicating through the Arts 2000-01 Holding on to our Humanity 1999-2000 Making a Difference in the 21st Century 1998-99 Our Legacy, Hope and Vision for the New Millennium 1997-98 Ethical Dilemmas in the New Century Luncheon Meetings Held at the Motor Park Inn 1996-97 Are We Not All Children? Trajectory Toward the Future 1995-96 Celebrating Women 1994-95 Community: Exploring Commitments and Connections 1993-94 Where in the World Are We? 1992-93 Closing the Generation Gap 1991-92 Looking Beyond the ‘90’s 1990-91 The Global ‘90’s 1989-90 A Sense of Place 1988-89 The Power of Ideas 1987-88 75th Anniversary Program 1986-87 Countess Bianca Lovatelli – Manners and Mannerisms 1985-86 1984-85 1983-84 1982-83 1981-82 1980-81 1979-80 1978-79 1977-78 1976-77 1975-76 1974-75 1973-74 1972-73 1971-72 1970-71 1969-70 1968-69 1967-68 1966-67 1965-66 1964-65 1963-64 Meetings held at Loraine Hotel 1962-63 50th Anniversary Program 1961-62 1960-61 1959-60 1958-59 1957-58 1956-57 1955-56 1954-55 1953-54 1952-53 1951-52 1950-51 1943-1950 1942-43 1941-42 1940-41 1939-40 1938-39 1937-38 1936-37 1935-36 1934-35 1933-34 1932-33 1931-32 1930-31 1929-30 1928-29 1927-28 1926-27 1925-26 1924-25 Meetings held at Woman’s Club 1923-24 1922-23 1921-22 1920-21 1919-20 1918-19 1917-18 1916-17 1915-16 1914-15 1913-14 |
