Woman’s Department Club builds on strong history, hosts dining, literary, art and theater as well as fund-raising efforts

One of the most established women’s groups in Shreveport history started during meetings of a literary club. The Hypatia Literary Club was so exclusive, membership was limited to 25 women.

Some of those women decided to loosen things up a bit and held a mass meeting in 1919 to organize a more inclusive club for women, the Woman’s Department Club.

It was a vibrant time to be a woman in a changing America. After years of struggle, women could vote. They had learned to organize, get things done and to participate in something meaningful outside of their homes.

“If you had any kind of event, you had it at the club,” said Roxanne Bosserman, the new president of the Woman’s Department Club of Shreveport.

Their lively meetings were a good platform for women to not only become better educated about the defining events of their time, but also to learn to conduct business meetings, raise funds and become active in their communities.

That rich tradition continues today in the modern version of the WDC that is open to all women regardless of riches, race or relationships. Members range from their 90s to their 30s with a wide range of cultural interests.

Women who love books will find a lot to like at the WDC’s Book Reviews, a monthly social event with delicious food and drinks.

“This is not a book club but a review of the selected book either by the guest author or a guest lecturer offering commentary and discussion for the featured book,” said Bosserman.

Upcoming luncheons will feature authors Leigh Santoro, Liz Talley and Maredia Bowdon reading from and discussing their books.

Maredia Bowdon, 89, is a “50 - plus Year Life Member” and former journalism teacher at Byrd High School. Bowdon had been to the home of a famous actress and met primitive artist Lucretia Glorioso during one of the numerous trips the WDC organized for its members.

“We went on yearly trips to New York and Dallas to shop and go to shows. This club has a history of doing creative things. You will never be bored,” said Bowdon. All meetings and events are held at the club’s historic building at the corner of Line Avenue and Margaret Place.

She is planning to have her 90th birthday bash there next year. “I’m looking for a jazz band,” said Bowdon Built in 1925 by its early members for social events on a grand scale, the Georgian brick exterior and sprawling, lavish interior with graceful staircases, high ceilings, extensive crown mouldings, mantels and valances make it a unique setting for weddings and other social events set in an “Old South” mansion.

The huge rooms, lovely furnishings and art provide interesting backgrounds for treasured photographs. It is available for rent, and “caterers love it because of the large commercial kitchen and professional dishwashing equipment,” said Bosserman.

Each spring, the WDC’s “Antiques and Keepsakes Faire” fund-raiser helps provide funds to maintain the historic building and pay for the programming that makes the WDC a unique contributor to the intellectual life of the Shreveport community. The club has always had special ties to Centenary College.

“The WDC each year presents a scholarship honoring Dr. Katherine Jackson French,” said Bosserman. French, a professor at Centenary from 1924 to 1949, was one of the founders of the WDC.

“It is a memorial each year to a student majoring in English literature or education at Centenary College,” said Bosserman. The club also is a strong supporter of theater and the arts.

Katharine Hepburn once performed on stage at the WDC’s large theater. It continues to host weddings, musical events, plays and style shows. The WDC’s art gallery features the work of a different artist each month.

The club is a comfortable, elegant place made for socializing and entertaining in a learning environment. Club members are women from their early 90s to mid- 30s, but most events are open to the public.

“The WDC membership is open to all women who are interested in coming together for the love and support of literature, art, education and music,” said Bosserman.

For more information on the club’s upcoming events, call 222-4186 or visit www. thewomansdepartmentclub.com.

– Kathleen Ward