Members

According to the early membership books stored in the Connecticut Studies Center of Eastern Connecticut State University, the women of this club resided in Willimantic. The founding president, Harriet. E. Brainard ran a millinery business until she retired in 1880. Brainard was a fashion icon in Willimantic, styling many of the women in the city and surrounding towns. She encouraged women to dress in a way that expressed who they truly were rather than follow the drab expectations of society. She was a very well known social figure in the town, making her the right person for the job. She remained president for two years and did everything she could in that time to promote the growth of the club.  

The vice president in 1890 was Jennie C. Robinson. She was in her late 60s at the time of the club's founding, yet she had many fresh ideas and views for the club. She was a strong advocate for women’s suffrage and educated her younger peers on the subject. Secretary Hattie B. Gates was a librarian at the American Thread Company Library.She was well known in the community, as many people visited the library.  Founding member and future club president Charrie A. Capen was a woman of the arts. Before the WWC, she helped build the theatre community in the Willimantic. She ended up serving in the Willimantic Woman’s Club for 25 years. She also served on the State Federations Woman’s Club Board. 

The founders of the Willimantic Woman’s Club kept detailed records of their involvement with each other and the community. It is stated in the founding constitution of the group that the motto was “for mutual need and for mutual good.” Initially, these women met bimonthly in each other's home and they educated themselves on social studies, arts, literature, sciences and social entertainment. Once the meetings got too big for one’s home, they were able to meet on the top floor of the Willimantic Savings Institute.