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About Main | History | First Delaware Branch
In August of 1954, I arrived in Wilmington to be the first Executive Director of the newly forming Girls Club of Wilmington. What a thrill, and yet a challenging responsibility, to be involved “on the ground floor” of something as important as the development of a new organization designed to provide wholesome programs and activities for the girls of the community.
Dr. Mary C. Dennison was the person of vision who saw the great need for an organization for girls from her vantage point as the principal of an elementary school. She inspired her women’s club—The Soroptimists—who provided the necessary impetus to get the community involved. The Welfare Council conducted a community survey, which validated the unmet needs of at least 1,600 girls in the area to be served. Shortly, a board of directors of leading citizens of the community was established, and $10,000 was contributed for the purchase of a building.
It was about at this point that I came along. The property, which was purchased, was at 1019 Brown Street and was an old farm house in need of a great deal of work. There was ample room for outdoor play areas and future expansion. However, even in 1954, the family was still raising chickens and there were a number of outbuildings which revealed a stench only chickens can leave!! We hauled away many truckloads of debris, did a paint-up and fix-up of the house, purchased furniture and equipment all before we could open. During the fall months, many a little neighborhood girl knocked on the door to ask when we would open. They were truly excited about the prospect of a club of their own.
The great day came on November 14, 1954, and what an exciting day it was. The neighborhood (then known as Brown Town) turned out in full force, including the Pulaski Legion Band. We were off and running!
We distributed literature through the schools, spoke with various community groups, and received good media coverage. Too good!! We were swamped with little girls. On the first day of registration the girls, and their mothers, were lined up from the front door and spilling into Anchorage Street. And that was just the first day. For me, unfamiliar with Polish names, the challenge was to figure out the correct spelling of names as announced by little girls with no front teeth and too young to yet learn the correct spelling themselves. It was just one of many learning experiences for me.
So, we had more girls than we knew what to do with and the old house jumped with excited little girls, middle-sized girls, and teens all doing a myriad of activities and having a wonderful time.
We had hired staff, including several high school girls, and planned a program of activities that the old house could accommodate. Those activities included cooking, grooming, glee club, dramatics, arts and crafts, sewing, and roller skating (we had built a small rink by that time). There was a teen lounge, game room, library, and lots of outdoor play spaces. In the summer, we offered a day camp type program that involved a hike to Canby Pool for swimming. It was a long, hot hike up the hill to Canby. I remember it well!!
We had been so well accepted in the community that very soon we were admitted into the United Community Fund (now United Way), thus ensuring the bulk of our funding needs at that time. And then in January 1955, we were accepted into affiliation in Girls Clubs of America, now Girls Incorporated. At that time we had 694 girls as members.
We were, indeed, off to a good start. As I left in 1958 to accept a position in yet another Girls Club, the Board was busy planning a major addition to the house. It was indeed a miraculous achievement in such a short period of time. It had been a challenge for me and was a very valuable learning experience. I have always appreciated the opportunity afforded to me and have warm memories of my four years in Wilmington.
Martha May Newsom
Executive Director
1954-58
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