When you walk the streets of downtown Manitou, you see lots of happy faces. Also, notice the proud faces of women here. What do these residents know that you might not? Those gals may very well be members of the Manitou Springs Women’s Club.
“Huh?” you say. “What? Women ONLY??” Yep!
In 1937, some civic-minded women in Manitou decided to form a club to promote civic engagement through education as well as social involvement. The Club is still doing just that, 60-plus members strong with members of all ages. They are proud of the history of this group and its continuing involvement in the Manitou community.
Do you know City Hall started out as a dance hall and ice rink? During WWII, it became a USO Center. Women’s Club members ran the center as volunteers. After WWII, the Women’s Club wanted to save the center and donate it to the City.
They donated $500 of Club funds and went door-to-door to raise awareness and funds. Five hundred dollars in 1947 would be worth over $7,000 today.
Since then, it has been onward and upward: long and sincere friendships, donations to nonprofit Manitou civic groups, sponsoring and/or running educational civic events and all the while having a really good time socializing and networking!
They help with the Manni Awards, Day of Friendship, the Ice Cream Social and their own big yearly event to raise funds: The Women’s Club Auction. This huge silent auction features artwork, clothing and fun items donated by local artists and businesses. The funds raised go to support other local organizations.
The auction is coming up on Monday, April 7 – it’s a great time to grab friends and/or significant others (guys allowed for this!) and come meet the group that laughs, supports each other and helps keep Manitou moving forward.
The Women’s Club meets the first Monday of every month from September through June. Meetings alternate between lunches and dinners to accommodate members’ schedules. Summers are casual get-together picnics. And you have not lived until you’ve seen their fashion show!
There are a variety of dues to fit budgets and needs.
If you are thinking there are some gals out there you’d like to meet and do things with, contact ManitouSpringsWomensClub@gmail.com. Get ready to smile and laugh. The friendships are warm and the reward is a better community for Manitou. How can you lose?
Manitou Springs Women’s Club Silent Auction
Iron Springs Chateau (444 Ruxton Ave.)
6 p.m.
RSVPs appreciated but not required;
ManitouSpringsWomensClub@gmail.com by April 4