North Cook News

The Bartlett village board of trustees recently recognized a local nonprofit organization for its work to serve the community of Bartlett. 

During a Dec. 6 board meeting, village president Kevin Wallace recognized the Bartlett Women’s Club with a proclamation. He issued the proclamation in honor of the Club’s 85th anniversary, giving a brief history of the organization and commemorating some of its accomplishments and ways that they have helped build and support the village of Barlett.

"...beginning the 85 years of service to the community, promotion of good fellowship and the advancement of intellectual culture that we celebrate here tonight," Wallace said at the meeting. "Each decade of Bartlett's history since 1937 bears the stamp of helping hands and philanthropic efforts of the Bartlet Women's Club."

The Bartlett Women’s Club started in 1937 after the Bide-a-wee club that was founded in 1936 changed its name. It was run by nine women out of one of their homes, and while it had no specific purpose at first, they problem-solved household issues, childcare, and organized occasional trips. After the name changed, they created more organizations, grew to 15 members, and became focused on community service and intellectual development.

Over the years the club has assisted in war efforts, made many recognitions of our veterans, and helped support the founding of hospitals, libraries, and girls' schools in the area. They created and began a Community House in Bartlett in the 1950s while growing to over 100 members. The club ran multiple beautification efforts in the village and supported the bicentennial and centennial celebrations, funding the village’s Centennial Gazebo. Today the club continues to serve the community and uphold the history of Bartlett.