HerStory Series

Discovering the women, stories, and history preserved in the Marion Women's Club archives.

More Than a Club. A Part of History.

The Marion Women's Club archives hold more than meeting minutes and photographs. They tell the story of women who shaped Marion, Ohio, and their communities through generations of service, advocacy, education, and civic involvement.

Through HerStory, we are sharing pieces of those archives and exploring the connections between local, state, and national history.

Explore the HerStory Collection

31 Clubs?!

We love to show off our archival collection by the shear amount of programs that we have! Were any of your female family members in one of these clubs?

Canteen Baskets

HerStory of service: Supporting the troops meant more than simply welcoming them home. Throughout World War II, Marion Women’s Club members helped keep the station canteen stocked with the little comforts that could make a long journey home feel a little easier. From cigarettes and candy to magazines, chewing gum, and peanuts, club women made […]

Dr. Josephine L. Peirce

More HerStory: In 1930, President Herbert Hoover invited Dr. Josephine Peirce to the White House Conference on Child Health and Protection. By bringing leaders like Dr. Peirce to Marion, the Women's Club connected local women with the ideas and movements shaping communities across Ohio and the nation, demonstrating the power of education, civic engagement, and […]

Victory Gardens

HerStory of Victory Gardens: During World War II, Americans were asked to do more than support the war effort - they were asked to grow it! With much of the nation's fresh food reserved for troops overseas, families at home relied on Victory Gardens to supplement rationed food and help feed their communities. In Marion, […]

Mrs. Ada Powell

HerStory Spotlight: Mrs. Arthur (Ada Franks) Powell As the second president of the Marion Women's Federation (1899–1900), Mrs. Arthur (Ada Franks) Powell helped guide the young organization during its earliest years. A teacher by profession and the wife of former Marion Public Schools Superintendent Arthur Powell, she believed deeply in the power of education, faith, […]

Business Women's Club & Florence Harding

HerStory of Working Women: The early 20th century saw more women entering offices, banks, stores, and businesses than ever before. As their professional lives expanded, so did the need for organizations where women could build friendships, develop leadership skills, and support one another. Clubs for businesswomen became places for both personal and professional growth, proving […]

Mother's Day in Marion

Before Mother's Day became a beloved national tradition, it began as a grassroots movement to honor the sacrifices, love, and influence of mothers. The holiday quickly spread across the country as communities embraced the opportunity to celebrate the women who nurtured families and strengthened society. In Marion, local club women played an important role in […]

The Barlow Boiler, or "the beast"

Every historic home has a few unsung heroes. For more than 115 years, "The Beast" faithfully kept the Barlow Home warm, serving generation after generation of Marion Women's Club members before finally earning a well-deserved retirement. Sometimes the most important pieces of history are the ones hidden from view!

Better Films Committee

A HerStory straight from the Women's History Resource Center Archives: Through Better Films Committees, club women encouraged movies they believed would educate, inspire, and strengthen family life while questioning films they felt relied on sensationalism. Ecstasy, a film showing at the State Theatre in Marion, starring Hedy Lamarr, illustrates the kinds of films that sparked […]

Margaret Harder's Quote

HerStory of community: In 1928, Ohio Federation President Margaret G. Harder reflected on a belief shared by many club women of her era: that the true measure of a women’s club was not found in buildings, programs, or fundraising totals, but in its ability to empower women to improve their communities. At a time when […]

Child Labor Laws

HerStory of education: In the early 20th century, not every child had the opportunity to spend their days in a classroom. Many young people left school early to work and help support their families. Women’s clubs across Ohio believed that education was essential to a child’s future and to the strength of the community. By […]

Pasteurization of Milk

HerStory of public health: Long before modern food safety regulations became standard, community leaders often took the lead in advocating for healthier living conditions. Across the country, women’s clubs championed reforms that protected families from preventable illness, recognizing that public health was a community responsibility. Their efforts helped lay the foundation for many of the […]

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