By Emily Beckett
The Woman’s Study Club in Clanton is true to its name.
Every third Friday of the month from September to April, a group of women congregate at each other’s houses to hold a meeting and learn about a new topic.
Each club member takes her turn to host a meeting at her house or to put a program together for presentation.
The meetings and club itself are organized and structured, with designated officers every year and 10 committees for regular members.
But beneath the structure of the club’s routines lies a camaraderie among this group of 20-plus women that bind them together.
The Woman’s Study Club was founded in 1956 and has had a presence in Chilton County ever since.
Emma Frank Bowers attended the club’s first meeting 56 years ago, and Helen Blackmon attended the second meeting when the club was limited to 20 members.
Bowers and Blackmon are still members, and Blackmon is this year’s parliamentarian.
“We’ve had a successful run of it, I think,” Bowers said. “I’m pleased that we’ve lasted this long.”
Clanton’s club recently transitioned from a federated Woman’s Study Club to a more independent group.
President Linda Hand said the main difference in being a federated club and being independent is how the club members decide to use their dues in the community.
“We will be giving a good portion of our dues to non-profit organizations each year,” Hand said. “We will not keep a lot in our treasury. We will give most of our dues to an organization that needs that.”
The club supports local organizations such as the Department of Human Resources, as well as school libraries and the Juniorettes, a version of the Woman’s Study Club for high school girls.
Perhaps most importantly, they support each other and those they know in the community.
Before sharing personal prayer requests, the women close each meeting by reciting Genesis 31:49: “May the Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent one from another.”
Along with Hand and Blackmon, the 2012-2013 officers are Annette Rowe, vice president; Mollie Smelley, treasurer; and Peggie Harris, secretary.
Club members include Bowers, Paige Scruggs, Tammy Lewis, Nancy Shannon, Mary
Lou Owens, Earle Finlayson, Helen Mims, Jenny Pitts, Amy Easterling, Loulee Karn, Gwyn Loyd, Paige Hudson, Nancy Cooper, Hera Scruggs and Gwen Price.