​​Founded in 1893, The Woman's Club of Houston encourages women to work together to support education and the Houston community, with a focus on women and children, while valuing the long history and traditions of the Club. We accomplish this through philanthropy, community involvement, scholarships, and active membership.

Our Core Values: philanthropy, community, scholarship, tradition

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What We Do

Julia Ideson Building, Houston Public Library

Founded the first public kindergarten in Houston
Helped establish Houston Public Library
Support the Houston Public Library’s Books Alive! event
Help support programs at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital
Established a $50,000 scholarship endowment at UHD
Established an endowment at the University of Houston, Main Campus​
Provide scholarships to students studying Urban Education at UHD


Click  History for more information
Contact Us here
Visit our Facebook page!
Join our organization.
Donate to our organization.

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When We Meet

Due to the pandemic, our club activities have been suspended until further notice. For more information about future events, please see our Calendar of Events.

2020 Pandemic

Blue Angels Flyover Tribute to Houston on May 6

Dawn Rodriguez sent these pictures of sidewalk fun with her daughter:

Dawn Rodriguez also downloaded a free app on her phone called Holy Bible. It gives ideas of activities to do daily. It allows you to create an editable prayer list, then checks each one off as you scroll through. You can update each prayer as they are answered and keep praying for others still in need. It gives daily Bible verses you may need, relevant to your needs.  It tallies credit of your activities but doesn't pressure you to do them.

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Meanwhile, Margo Cunningham successfully had family game night in a Zoom session from the east coast to the west coast with a pit stop in Texas.

Lois Junker has done some spring cleaning, including washing the insides of her windows, rearranging the cushions on her couch and cleaning her toaster oven. Her niece drove down from Wisconsin to pick her up to visit her sister, and then Lois braved the airlines to come home (only 10 people were on the airplane).

Angela Doucette went on vacation to Spain in January and had to cut her visit short, only to be quarantined for 14 days upon her return.  Cudos to the grocery stores for delivering food!

Veronica LeBlanc and Krew is spending time reading, investigating avocado, orange, and mustard seed growth, attending outdoor activities (Blue Angle and Moon views), learning how “not” to wear the mask, and celebrating the first responder Heroes! She is so thankful for God’s blessings and protective hand. Continuing prayers for the Woman’s Club of Houston family!

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Sandra Pybus reports that when she wasn’t busy making masks for the hospital,



​...she was forced to sit by the pool until this is all over!

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With the world pandemic shutdown, we have been unable to schedule any philanthropic events. 

UH scholarship presentations have been put on hold until more information about school openings is available.
 
Books Alive! is also on hold, as anticipated. Sally Swanson will let us know something just as soon as she does. She had some interesting ideas for library events, including "virtual binoculars" handed out in an auditorium with proper social distancing and Zoom events to enjoy spokespeople.

​​We are, however, glad to have been able to support the WITS (Writers in the Schools) program with our $5,000 check back in February. As you may expect, WITS has been working nonstop to recalibrate and customize their service delivery models to ensure the continuity of the school and community programs. All of their plans are in conjunction with the plans of their partners, including the Houston Independent School District and surrounding districts. In their ongoing commitment to us, Robin Reagler has submitted the following information about the status of their programs.
WITS Creative: Our staff has been creating a new online version of WITS to ensure uninterrupted teaching for our students. With the insight of board members, teachers, writers, and friends, we are designing residencies that foster learning communities using the available equipment. As students, teachers, and principals resume learning through digital platforms, WITS is continuing to serve our teachers and students, and we are fully prepared to complete the school year using accessible technology and online platforms.
In addition to continuing our current programs with students in school and community classrooms, we are rolling out two new virtual offerings that will be free and available to anyone who has access to Wi-Fi on any device:
QuickWITS is a fun, creative, 15-minute writing jumpstart for K-5 students on YouTube. Each episode features a WITS writer who will ignite imaginations and offer a writing prompt. 
WITS U offers interactive writing workshops for youth in grades 6-12. In each session, youth engage with a professional WITS writer and in a virtual small group setting. 
WITS Performance: WITS has postponed or cancelled all public facing events through April (probably June now); this includes the Space City Slam Series. We are working on a plan for a “virtual slam” model and will keep you updated as we reshape and reschedule. Our plan is to do the Metafour Houston Grand Slam as a live event when it is safe to convene groups again.
WITS Collaborative: WITS Collaborative cohorts of teachers, administrators, and curriculum specialists are meeting in Professional Learning Communities with their WITS Writers in virtual learning platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. 
In this way, we are working to keep all our students developing as writers and all our faculty teaching and getting paid. We are grateful for our ability to continue engaging children in the joy and power of reading and writing, which is made possible because of your support. We will share our progress with you as we move forward in service to our WITS students, teachers, writers, and the community.

We would love to hear from you!  Send us an email or letter on your favorite pastime during the pandemic. Please submit your favorite movie, book, puzzle, recipe or other ideas to Reen Catanzaro  at reencatanzaro@gmail.com.  Share what fun things you or your community have done, include pictures, and we will feature in the next communication!
Prayers for your safety and wellbeing!

The Writers In The Schools

The Woman's Club of Houston presented a check to the WITS program with money raised at our fundraiser. We are sponsoring grades 2 through 4 at Neff Elementary school in Sharpstown.
​Since 1983, Writers in the Schools has brought innovative arts, education to school, hospital, and community classrooms throughout Houston. By fostering collaboration between teachers and talented professional writers, WITS cultivates critical thinking, problem solving, and literacy in 65,000 students each year. WITS believes in the power of young voices, creating opportunities such as interactive performance poetry slams, digital learning, and the first-ever Youth Poet Laureate program in Houston. As the largest literary arts organization in Texas, WITS has an international network of 38 organization, and is a founding member of the Brave New Voices network, fueling social change through arts education and youth development.

Robin Reagler with WITS accepts our check for $5,000

18th Annual Fundraiser Market and Luncheon

Special General Assembly on August 28th, 2019

Sally Swanson passed the baton to our new president, Veronica LeBlanc

Books Alive! Celebration - May 18, 2019

Books Alive Art Judging - May 3, 2019

April General Assembly - Scholarship Luncheon at UHD

Dr. Leigh Van Horn, Dr. Diane Miller, Angela Doucette, Reen Catanzaro, Ginger Driver, Christine Kelsoe, Margo Cunningham, Maggie, Sally Swanson and WCH check for $50,000

Below is a video from our General Assembly of Dr. Diane Miller and Dr. Leigh Van Horn speaking about UHD Public Service
and a speech from our scholarship recipient, Sara Garcia

March General Assembly - Bob Ethington on Uptown Park and the new Galleria area at Masraff's

............................................Back row: Bob Ethington, Cindy Eatherton, Beverly Bruce, Sandra Pybus and Reen Catanzaro................................................. Front row: Kaylee Garvin, Margo Cunningham, Melissa Arnold, Natalya Velasco, and Jacqueline Yee

For a full account of the changes in Uptown and Galleria area, see 
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zi1eidj50c1rfjp/Womens%20Club%20of%20Houston%20Presentation%203-27-19.pdf?dl=0 
OR
Download the following:

womens_club_of_houston_presentation_3-27-19.pdf
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February General Assembly - Valentine / Mardi Gras Social
at Seasons 52

Sally Swanson

Lois Junker

Brenda Johnston

Angela Doucette

Reen Catanzaro

Carol Vartian

Anne Grosz

Margo Cunningham

Betsy Garlinger

Sybil Roos

Christine Kelsoe

Cousin Itt

January General Assembly - Historic Tour of Downtown Houston on Mister McKinney's open air bus

Wow! Was THAT fun! We saw beautiful downtown Houston in the open air bus that allowed everyone to see ALL of the historic buildings, bottom to top, while enjoying a sip of wine. Then we headed into Kim Son for a delicious Asian lunch.

Annual Fundraiser - December 6, 2018

At our annual fundraiser, we celebrated 125 years of service to the Houston community, honoring past presidents of our club. All proceeds will go to the Houston Area Women's center.
Click the video below to see a recap of this fun event.

November General Assembly
Wreath Making at Michael's

Beverly Bruce, Sally Swanson, Margo Cunningham, Reen Catanzaro, and Jacqueline Yee

October General Assembly
An afternoon at the Museum

We had a great time at the Museum of Fine Arts including a guided tour of the Tudors to the Windsors

Queen Elizabeth I

King Charles I

Children of King Charles I and Henrietta Maria

Henry, Prince of Wales

King James II and wife Anne

King George IV, Price of Wales

Sophia Charlotte, wife of Charles IV

Prince Albert, Duke of York became King George VI after the abdication of Edward VIII

Queen Elizabeth II

Hologram of Queen Elizabeth II

Henry VIII

Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I

Charles II, playboy

King Charles III of Hanover. He lost the American colonies

Queen Victoria

Alexandra, and the introduction to her fiance, Albert, son of Queen Victoria

Queen Elizabeth II

Andy Worhol's Queen Elizabeth II

Prince William and Prince Harry

Queen Reen!

Reen Catanzaro, Darlene Clark, Kathy Stockton, Margo Cunningham, Sally Swanson, Jacqueline Yee, Angela Doucette, Sandra Pybus

September General Assembly at Seasons 52

Janis Nooteboom, Ginger Driver, Elizabeth Blair

Sarah Norman (potential new member), Margo Cunningham and Sally Swanson

Jacqueline Yee, Margo Cunningham, Maria Reed (Chi Chi)

Elba Villarreal, Darlene Clark and Anjulena Renee (new member)

Elba Villarreal and Darlene Clark

Angela Doucette and Christine Kelsoe

May General Assembly at CRU Wine Bar

Installation of Officers

Elba Villarreal Davis, Angela Doucette, Margo Cunningham, Sally Swanson, Darlene Clark, Debra Costello and Reen Catanzaro

New member, Avis McCray

Sybil Roos, Betsy Garlinger and Susan Binney

Brandy Gandara, Outstanding Club Woman

Lois Junker and Carol Vartian

Books Alive! 2018 Celebration

Author Nathan Hale speaks about his historical graphic novels.
Watch him draw!

Books Alive! 2018 Judging

Reen Catanzaro, Margo Cunningham, and guest Cindy Eatherton judged artwork for HPL's Books Alive! celebration

HPL's Beyond the Page

Guest Cindy Eatherton, Ginger Driver, Reen Catanzaro, Elizabeth Blair, Betsy Garlinger and Sybil Roos attended HPL's Beyond the Page luncheon

March General Assembly at Houston Area Women's Shelter

Aly Jacobs speaks
33% of women experience domestic and/or sexual violence

Brandy Gandara, President Ginger Driver and our next President, Sally Swanson

Betsy Garlinger and Sybil Roos

Margo Cunningham and Angela Doucette

New member Aliza Fan Dutt with President Ginger Driver

Elizabeth Blair and Carol Vartian

Lois Junker and Christine Kelsoe

Children's playroom

February General Assembly Scholarship Meeting at
​the Julia Ideson Library

Dr. Rhea Lawson commends us on 125 years of service
Diane Miller introduces our three scholarship recipients:
Sara Garcia
Veronica Martinez
Van Longoria
Closing remarks by VP Philanthropy, Shelly deZevallos

Beverly Bruce, Angela Doucette, Betsy Garlinger and Sybil Roos

Christine Kelsoe, Brandy Gandara and Sandra Pybus

Dawn Rodriguez and Shelly deZevallos

Reen Catanzaro and guest Joy Saxton

Diane Miller, Dr. Rhea Lawson, and scholarship Sara Garcia and Van Longoria

Shaneq Aranda and Aliza Dutt

Guest Avis McCray and Sarah Suarez

Elizabeth Blair and scholarship recipient Veronica Martinez

Lois Junker and Barbara Chase

January General Assembly Meeting at Ciao Bello

Dr. Mahyar Badrei, of MIZU Integrative Medicine Clinic + Float Center, spoke to us about stress relief activities that allow our brains to relax, which can lead to better overall health and a reduction in preventable diseases.

Sybil Roos and Betsy Garlinger

Angela Doucette, Barbara Chase and Lois Junker

Carol Vartian, Margo Cunningham and Darlene Clark

Sarah Suarez and Sally Swanson

Reen Catanzaro and Shelly deZevallos

Katy Driver and Janis Nooteboom

Dottie Shewmake and Elizabeth Blair

Lois Junker, Ginger Driver, Dawn Rodriguez, and Kathy Stockton

Christine Kelsoe, Deb Costello and Maria Cantu

Elba Villarreal

Margo Cunningham and guest, Hannah Badrei

Brandy Gandara

Reen Catanzaro and Ginger Driver

Float Center with Hannah Badrei and Angel Atherley

HPL Candy Cane Cinema

Christine Kelsoe and Brandy Gandara had a wonderful experience volunteering on December 3, 2017! The event was a success, I think we gave gifts to around 25 or so children. The library was so appreciative of our efforts (wrapping, donations, and handing out gifts)!

It was so special seeing the looks on the kids’ faces when they saw Santa and got a present. They have many leftover gifts and we were told they will be sent to other library locations for similar Santa engagements.
Below is the thank-you letter from Houston Public Library:
"On behalf of Houston Public Library, I thank the Woman’s Club of Houston for donating, wrapping and handing out gifts for Houston Public Library’s  Candy Cane Cinema Celebration!  Your time, talent and ready smiles contributed to making it a fun family event.  The Yard House coupons were a welcome bonus.  The remaining gifts will be given to children at upcoming Santa visits at neighborhood library locations.  The Woman’s Club of Houston is a great community partner. Thank you for all of your support!"

November General Assembly at Painting With a Twist

Toy Drive for Elementary aged Boys and Girls

October General Assembly at Cadillac Bar

Small Steps Donations

Margo Cunningham and Lois Junker

Sarah Suarez, Brandy Gandara, and guest, Leila Zermeno

Angela Doucette, Susan Binney and Darlene Clark

Libby Thompson and Katy Driver

Elizabeth Blair and Reen Catanzaro

Guest Charlene Horton and Joyce Brown

Libby Thompson, Libby Laubach, Haley Bechtolt, Katy Driver, and Kristin Hatteberg

Small Steps speaker, Charla Stuart and Ginger Driver

Sally Swanson and new member, Sarah Suarez

Betsy Garlinger, Darlene Clark, Lois Junker and Sybil Roos

Margo Cunningham, Kathy Stockton and Susan Binney

UHD Announces Dr. Juan Sanchez Munoz as President

Dr. Munoz, UHD President

Mayor Sylvester Turner

Marilyn Davies: First you learn, then you earn, then you return

Ginger Driver and Sally Swanson

Dr. Leigh Van Horn and Mrs, Munoz

September General Assembly at Maggiano's

Ginger Driver presents our check for $10,000 to our own Sally Swanson representing the Houston Public Library Foundation

Janet Thomason speaks about Project C.U.R.E.

Dottie Shewmake with guest Hannah Badrei

Juli Vaughan and guest Colleen Tate

We donated to Project C.U.R.E. 25 Kits for Kids! Thank you, members!

Janet Thomason from Project C.U.R.E. and Alexandra Girard

Janis Nooteboom, Hannah Badrei, Brandy Gandara

Margo Cunningham and Jacqueline Yee

Janet Thomason from Project C.U.R.E.

Brenda Johnston and guest Sarah Suarez

Beverly Bruce and Angela Doucette

ChiChi Reed and Katy Driver

Ginger Driver and Sally Swanson

Carol Vartian, Darlene Clark and Lois Junker

Houston Public Library Foundation 10 Year Anniversary
​September 26, 2017

Mayor Sylvester Turner

Mayor Turner presents City of Houston Proclamation to the Stone Family

Virtuoso plays

Reen Catanzaro, Karen Needham and Ginger Driver

Sally Swanson speaks about A Year of Discovery and Collaborations

May 2017 General Assembly at Hungry's in Rice Village

Angela Doucette and Margo Cunningham present the Outstanding Club Woman award to: Elizabeth Blair - under 3 years, and Ginger Driver - over 3 years

Debra Costello and Maria Cantu-Ondarza

Ginger Driver and Angela Doucette

Reen Catanzaro and Margo Cunningham

Katy Driver and Brittany Bonds

Brandy Linnenkohl, Carol Vartian and Heather Kendall

Elizabeth Blair and Dawn Rodriguez

Darlene Clark, Sybil Roos, Betsy Garlinger, Elba Villarreal, Susan Binney

Haley Bechtolt and Janis Nooteboom

Books Alive! 2017

Margo Cunningham

Reen Catanzaro

Reen Catanzaro

The Winners have lunch

Ginger Driver, Reen Catanzaro, and Margo Cunningham with Author Grace Lin

Summer Reading program

Lois Junker and Barbara Chase

Katy Driver, Ginger Driver and Margo Cunningham

Ginger Driver

Contest winners with their kites

Margo Cunningham

Kite winners

Juli Vaughn, Katy Driver, Ginger Driver and Margo Cunningham

The Drivers, Katy and Ginger

Reen Catanzaro and Juli Vaughn helping kids make bookmarks

Lois Junker, Ginger Driver, and Juli Vaughn serving

Magic Balloon man

Ginger Driver, Margo Cunningham and Reen Catanzaro

Lois Junker and Barbara Chase

A little artist creating her bookmark

Texas Children's Hospital Woodlands Family Fun Run
April 29, 2017
​TEAM WOMAN'S CLUB OF HOUSTON

Fundraiser at the Houston Racquet Club 2017

Ginger Driver, Dr. Rhea Lawson, City Council Member David Robinson

Reen Catanzaro

Brenda Johnston

Angela Doucette

Debra Costello and Ginger Driver

Kites created by elementary school children for Books Alive! contest

Dr. Rhea Lawson and Lisa Foronda

Brenda Johnston, Reen Catanzaro and Margo Cunningham

Virtuosi!

Honoree Dr. Rhea Lawson

Our models: Reen Catanzaro, Brenda Johnston, Darlene Clark, Haley Bechtolt, Lou Murphy (Chico's), Margo Cunningham, Angela Doucette, Chi-Chi Reed

Haley Bechtolt and Katy Driver

Children's Memorial Hermann Wish List Program Donations

Jacquelyn Jones (Volunteer Services Coordinator), Haley Bechtolt, Reen Catanzaro, Ginger Driver, and Richard Wier (Director of Child Life)

March 2017 Wine Tasting at Benji's on Washington

Ginger Driver, President, introduces sommelier, William Meznarich

Brandy Linnenkohl, Heather Kendall, Ginger Driver, Maria Reed

Katy Driver and guests, Lindsey Kearny and Brittany Bonds, and Haley Bechtolt and Alexandra Girard

Reen Catanzaro, Brenda Johnston and Angela Doucette

Toys for Child Life Wish List Program at Memorial Hermann

Toys for Child Life Wish List Program at Memorial Hermann

Margo Cunningham with William Meznarich, sommelier

Lois Junker, Betsy Garlinger, Sybil Roos

Guest Jamie Davis, Elizabeth Blair, Karen Mathis and Dottie Shewmake

Sommelier William Meznarich

Guest Martha Leigh Scurlock and new member, Beverly Bruce

February 2017 General Assembly at Houston Public Library
Scholarship Luncheon
(View scholarship speeches below)

Elizabeth Blair, Ginger Driver, Brenda Johnston, Alexandra Girard

Alexandra Girard, Atziry Lucero, Michelle J. Martinez and Dr. Diane Miller

Lois Junker and Dr. Leigh Van Horn

Kim Jessup and Angela Doucette

Dottie Shewmake and Katy Driver

Sybil Roos and Betsy Garlinger

Dawn Rodriguez and Veronica LeBlanc

Barbara Chase and Amanda Adams

Jennifer Ferguson, Reen Catanzaro, and Guest Lisa

Sally Swanson, Alexandra Girard, Dr. Rhea Lawson

Kathy Stockton, Chi-Chi Reed, Jacqueline Yee

Kristin Hatteberg and Brenda Johnston

Shelly deZavallos, Alexandra Girard, Heather Kendall, and Angela Doucette

Alexandra Girard, VP of Philanthropy/Scholarship, introduces our scholarship recipients: Michelle J. Martinez​ and Atziry Lucero

January 2017 General Assembly at Carol Vartian's home
featuring Nina Hendee, Taste of Texas owner and Texas Historian

Nina Hendee, owner of the Taste of Texas spoke about Texas history

Kathy Stockton, and Margo Cunningham

Angela Doucette and Martha Leigh Scurlock

Star of Hope donations with Sandra Pybus, Ginger Driver, Angela Doucette and Reen Catanzaro

Ginger Driver, Brenda Johnston and Elizabeth Blair

Brenda Johnston, Brandy Linnenkohl, and Heather Kendall

Lois Junker, Dawn Rodriguez, and Barbara Chase (seated)

Martha Leigh Scurlock, Karen Mathis, Carol Vartian (hostess), Colleen Tate, and Brandy Linnenkohl

Darlene Clark and Debra Costello

Maria Reed (Chi-Chi) and Jacqueline Yee

Juli Vaughan and guests

Reen Catanzaro

Carole Hegenbarth and Veronica LeBlanc

Margot Schurig

Nina Hendee speaks about Texas History

November 2016 General Assembly at Ouisie's Table

October 2016 General Assembly at Cadillac Bar

Business attire, shoes, and handbags were delivered by the Club to Dress for Success. Thank you for donating!

2019-2020 Officers

President – Veronica LeBlanc
Recording Secretary – Dawn Rodriguez
Treasurer – Angela Doucette

Contact us at:

The Woman's Club of Houston
P. O. Box 131581
Houston, Texas 77219
womansclubofhouston1@gmail.com

Interested in joining this great organization?

Contact Membership, at wchmembership@gmail.com, or complete the membership form, below, and mail or email to The Woman's Club of Houston at the above address.

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