Athena Club
In the fall of 1935, the Missouri Federation of Women’s Clubs, was conducting a drive to organize more clubs in the Third District, of which Marceline is a part. Interested members of the Junior Soros is Club invited several girls of high school age to .meet and form a junior club to be known as The Sub-Deb Club. The prime purpose of the Club was to promote friendship among the members and to eventually join the M.F.W.C. and follow the program of study outlined by the Federation. By the fall of 1937 all members had reached the age of acceptance and the Club became a full- fledged Junior member of the Missouri Federation of Women’s Clubs. In the ensuing years the membership changed many times over, as this was the age when members were moving to other towns, going to school, marrying or working in cities. The enrollment was limited to 20 members, but enlarged to 22 in a few years. At the wish of all the club members the name was changed to Athena Club in 1945. About this time two club members, Martha Neff and Mary Hanson, collaborated to write a club song, which is sung at almost all meetings. The Pledge of Allegiance, the Athena Pledge, and the club collect are recited at all meetings to remind each member to live up to these important pledges. Athena Club has won its share of blue ribbons for yearbooks and has been named to the M. F. W. C. Honor Roll many years. The club has co-operated with the other Clubs of Marceline in all federated and civic projects. The Federation’s feeling that a number of women can accomplish more than just a few, and Athena’s motto, “Nothing great is ever achieved without enthusiasm,” have worked together very well. Our only charter member is Mrs. Betty Othic Flynn.
Modern Mothers’ Club History
On October 14, 1947, Carmaleta Teel, Frances White, Norma McCrary, Merle B. Baxter, Betty Luckenbill, Nelda McCoy, Mary Cupp, Jerry Pitts, Vera Dail, and Josephine Snowden met for the purpose of organizing a club for young mothers. Mrs. Chester Ray from the sponsoring club (Mothers’ Psychology) was present and presented the club with $10. The following officers were elected: Merle Baxter, president; Norma McCrary, vice-president; Nelda McCoy, secretary; Betty Luckenbill, cor¬responding secretary; Frances White, treasurer. The second Tuesday of each month was agreed upon as the meeting date, the hour to be 7:30. At the following meeting names were discussed and the name “Modern Mothers” was chosen. “Big oaks from little acorns grow” was the motto. “Baby Breath” was agreed on for the flower. The Modern Mothers club of Marceline, Missouri, was federated March 8, 1949. The club has had several interesting speakers attend their meetings. A few of the money-making projects of the club have been bake sales, rummage sales, square dances, and handmade baby layette raffles. Money has been donated to several funds such as Polio, Community Chest, March of Dimes, Cancer, CARE, and R. F. E. Money has also been sent to Korea. The club has sent baskets to needy families at Christmas and fruit plates to the rest homes. For one project we donated money for the drapes for the new Walt Disney Elementary School as our part in the community project. Last year we headed the drive for the blood bank for St. Francis Hospital. With everyone’s cooperation we canvassed (with great success) the entire community for blood donors. This was our proudest community project. This year we are donating money for the tree nursery the city is planning.We were proud of one of our past members, Mrs. Sharon Haney. She entered the Vogue Sewing Contest and won first place at District. The past presidents are as follows: Merle Baxter, 1947-48; Norma McCrary, 1948-49; Mary Watsky, 1949-50; Alice Westfall, 1950-51; Shirlea Barnes, 1951-52; Doris Wall, 1952-53; Mary Armstrong 1953-54; Lucille McGinnis, 1954-55; Norma Trammell, 1955-56; Jo Ann King, 1956-57; Margaret O’Connor, 1957-58; Joanna Holt, 1958-59; Bernice Engelhard, 1959-60; Janice Gooch, 1960-61; Shirley White, 1961-62; Georgia Smith, 1962-63.