Baraboo women found their own cultural organization, 1880

Constitution and by-laws of the Woman¿s Club of Baraboo

Women's clubs arose in Wisconsin following the Civil War as a way for middle-class women to become involved in social and cultural life outside the Victorian home. Many eventually evolved into social service associations, public library support groups, or women's rights organizations. A contemporary history of Sauk County noted that this club's first officers were Lizzie Woodman, president; Fanny Holz, vice president; and Lucy Case, secretary. According to its constitution, the club was formed "to strengthen the feeling of sympathy and fellowship among women, independently of social distinctions and outside of the natural and proper affiliations of personal friendship or any existing organizations, and to discuss without personalities such theoretical or practical questions as relate to the well-being of home and society; and also to extend our knowledge and broaden our culture by such reading and study as we shall deem best adapted to our needs." It was the first women's club in the city and, according to the 1918 history of Sauk County, lasted several years. This is the only known copy of its constitution.

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