The Woman’s Club of Lodi

The Woman’s Club of Lodi began more than 100 years ago. While women have been in Lodi for far longer than that, public spaces for them have not.

In 1906, 28 women gathered together and created the Ladies Improvement Club; its purpose was to be the betterment of Lodi. In 1913, the club changed its name to the Woman’s Club of Lodi. The group would petition for more sidewalks to be built in the downtown area, push for trees to be planted along the highway, and install a drinking fountain for men to be able to imbibe something that was non-alcoholic.

Originally, the ladies would meet in each other’s homes. They then began meeting in social settings, hosting dances and luncheons. Eventually, the Woman’s Clubhouse was built. The building still stands after a century. It can be rented out for social gatherings—and the club even hosts a prom. While there are only around 145 members in the club today, many teenage girls and women still benefit from the rich history.

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