In celebration of GFWC Lombard Service League 75th anniversary, five past presidents of the club gathered at the April club meeting to share their memories of their terms in office.
Past President Darlene Wingard shared what the club was like when she was president in the 1970s. Past and current President Anna Weselak gave a glimpse of what the club was like in the 1980s. Jean Nelson shared her experiences from the early 2000s and Claudia Arroyo explained how the club coped as it was like coming out of the Covid years. Past President Barbara Madigan was club president four times and shared how the club changed from the 1990s to through 2020.
Each of the past presidents brought memorabilia items that they had collected during their time as a Lombard Service League member. The club members enjoyed looking at old scrapbooks that were created for club presidents.
Lombard Service League began in 1950 as an outgrowth of Lombard Junior Women’s Club. At that time the General Federation of Women’s Club of Illinois passed a restriction on all Junior Women’s Clubs in the state. When a Junior Women’s Club member reached the age of 35 she was no longer eligible to continue her membership in a Junior Women’s Club and was encouraged to join a women’s club, which usually met in the daytime.
A group of former Lombard Junior Women’s Club members wished to continue to meet in the evenings. Thus, this group of former Lombard Junior Women’s Club members formed Lombard Service League, and the club became a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Illinois in 1950.
Since that time the age restriction in Illinois has been dropped and women are welcome to join any women’s club at any age. The Lombard Women’s Club disbanded but the Lombard Service League and the Lombard Junior Women’s Club continue to provide service and community support as vibrant organizations in Lombard.
Lombard Service League financially supports many local, state and international philanthropies. The club also gives scholarships to Glenbard East and Willowbrook graduating high school seniors. Service projects include assisting with the Lombard Historical Society events, Soaring Eagle Trunk or Treat for Halloween, co-sponsor Lombard the Man of the Year and Women of the Year contest with the Lombard Rotary Club and partner with the Lombard Junior Women’s Club by providing the Lilac Princess tiaras and refreshments at the Lilac Queen Coronation.
Lombard Service League meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Lexington Square. For anyone interested in knowing more about Lombard Service League, visit them on Facebook and their website. If you wish to talk to one of their members you may call/text 630-988-0625.
