Fargo Fortnightly Club Records

Collection

Identifier: MSS 3099

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains materials related to the clubs work between the 1970s and the late 1990s. It includes a revised constitution and by-laws, program booklets, and historian reports about club activities.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1977-1998

Creator

Fargo Fortnightly Club. (Organization)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection is held by the Institute.

Biography

The Fargo Fortnightly Club was founded in 1895 as the Fortnightly Literary Club. It became the Fortnightly Club the following year. The first president was Mrs. E. Folsom. The Fortnightly Club has taken part in civic and educational affairs in the community as well as carrying out its own study programs, usually concerning foreign nations. The Fargo Fortnightly Club became a member of the North Dakota Federation of Women's Clubs in 1896 and Mrs. C.E. Tuller, a vice president of the Fortnightly Club was elected as the first president of the North Dakota Federation of Women's Clubs. During the first twenty-five years of the Federation, four members of the Fortnightly Club served as officers and/or directors on its board. They were Mrs. R.M. Pollock, Mrs. F.H. Winder, Mrs. W.L. Stockwell and Mrs. Amidon. Mrs. O.A. Stevens was elected Federation director in 1926 and 1930. Mrs. W.E. Brentzel was elected Federation director, clubwoman editor, vice president and ultimately president in 1952. In 1958 Mrs. T.W. Thordarson was elected President of the Fourth District of the Federation as well as a Director.

In its first twenty-five years of existence, the Fargo Fortnightly Club supported the establishment of a public library in Fargo, help create neighborhood clubs that preceded parent-teacher associations, campaigned to require inspection in food processing and marketing, and promoted the first well-baby clinic. Particularly significant, the club, led by Beulah Amidon, and Hattie Davis, initiated the movement to erect the Sakakawea Statue on the grounds of the state capital in Bismarck. In the next twenty-five years the Fortnightly Club worked to ease the effects of the depression and war. Money was sent to aid needy children abroad. Tools were purchased to equip a "Putter Shop" at the YMCA for unemployed men to learn skills. These tools were later donated to the Boy Scouts when the shop was closed. The tuberculosis sanitarium at Dunseith was given books and money for periodicals when it had a large number of patients. The Club also sponsored an Open Forum to promote learning and leadership.

The third twenty-five years were primarily devoted to service for young people. Safety zones along streets past public schools were encouraged by the club and established. A lighting project in school areas, public streets, and private homes brought Fortnightly national recognition by the General Federation of Women's Clubs.

The club maintains a program of student assistance involving loans and scholarships for young women in colleges, business schools and schools of nursing. The Knowlton Fund, Shoeniger Fund and General Federation of Women’s Clubs - Shell Oil Company Foundation are the primary programs which perform this function. Several members have achieved notable status. In 1909 Mattie Davis was elected president of the North Dakota Education Association. Mrs. R.M. Pollock was a pioneer in the woman's suffrage, movement and Mrs. O.A. Stevens was voted North Dakota Mother of the Year in 1967. As the name indicates, the club continues to meet on a bi-weekly basis in member homes. Membership has three categories: active, life, and honorary