After more than 125 years of service to the community, The Woman’s Club of Westfield is passing on their legacy to the Rotary Club of Westfield to continue their longstanding scholarship program.
The Woman’s Club of Westfield started in 1895 with 40 women members. Miss Emma Bridges was the first president. In 1896, the Club joined the New Jersey State Federation of Woman’s Clubs and the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs. They purchased a building in Westfield on Euclid Avenue for their meetings in the 1950’s, but sold it in the 1990’s as membership began to decline.
Financial Advisor Jayson Astel of Edward Jones, and Rotary Club Secretary Dr. D. Michael Hart met with the club members in the Spring of 2023. Michael brought his 97-year-old mother, Dr. Marilyn Hart to the meeting. She had received a scholarship from the Westfield Woman’s Club in 1962, which changed her life. Marilyn was valedictorian of her high school class, but back in the 1940’s very few people went to college, and even fewer women. Marilyn started night school, while working during the day and raising 3 children, and eventually earned a Ph.D., becoming a college professor at Kean University, teaching Educational Psychology. This is an illustration of how scholarships can change people’s lives for the better.
The Westfield Woman’s Club transferred a substantial portion of their assets to the Rotary which will fund six $5,000 college scholarships to Westfield High School women students every year, in perpetuity. In addition, grants will be offered to five specific charities every year as outlined in the agreement with the Woman’s Club. The scholarships and grants will be administered through the Westfield Rotary Club Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. Westfield High School students apply for scholarships through the Guidance Department.
The Rotary Club of Westfield and its Foundation, which was started in 1921, has awarded $3.5 million in scholarships to 1,800 students to date. The Club’s signature scholarship fundraising event, Breakfast With the Bands is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, 9 am to noon.
The Rotary Club of Westfield meets the first three Tuesdays of each month for lunch at noon, at Limani Seafood Grill on North Ave. Guests are always welcome. For information check out the website www.westfieldrotary.com or contact club secretary Dr. D. Michael Hart by email at drmhart@yahoo.com