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75th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary Tea

Almost 75 years to the day since the first ladies gathered to found the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club, the current members celebrated their long legacy with a Diamond Jubilee Anniversary Tea. The event was held at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church on Thursday and gave the members and their guests an opportunity to look back at years of activities in town.

Represented on the club’s emblem are the four pillars on which the women have operated since organizing on Oct. 16, 1941 – civic, social, educational and philanthropic.

“The members have preserved the foundation of the club that are on the logo,” said current President Kathy McAuliffe. “The club is very important to us. You grow in this club.”

The women have hosted dinner clubs, raised and donated more than $100,000 in scholarships, beautified the town with gardening initiatives, transformed the Village into an 18th century Christmas wonderland, supported soldiers and war efforts among countless other contributions.

Selectman Paul Silva praised the group’s focus on education. He also said a photo on one of several displays in the room that charted the club’s history stood out to him. The image featured Silva’s own parents, whose rose garden was featured in one of the first garden tours hosted by the Woman’s Club. “That very much touched me today,” he said.

Silva presented the club with a citation from the Mattapoisett Selectmen. The women also received a citation from Gov. Charlie Baker.

While its philanthropic work has always been important, the tea also displayed the social aspect of the club. Tables were decorated with flowers arranged in dainty tea cups. Hot beverages were poured from silver teapots, and handmade finger foods rounded out the tea party theme.

A screening of the group’s recent documentary on its history had members and guests reminiscing about the past while also looking towards the future.

Past president Lois Murray had the final word as the party ended. “Thank you for making it such a very special organization for the people that belong, for the people in town. There are years to come. Keep up the good work.”
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Mattapoisett Womens Club 75th Anniversary Video from ORCTV on Vimeo.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding=”custom-padding” bgcolor=”#e0e0e0″ top=”25px”][vc_column][vc_column_text][soliloquy id=”480″][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]