A Cornerstone of the Community
During Palo Alto's formative years, the Club was the women's arm of local government and school affairs at a time when women were ineligible to vote or hold political offices.
Uniting people and place, the Woman's Club of Palo Alto builds on a proud history of public engagement. Our members apply themselves in creative and philanthropic ways to accomplish great things both in the local community and within the club.
The Woman's Club of Palo Alto is a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs as well as the California Federation of Women's Clubs. We have the largest number of members of any women’s club in California.
Woman's Club or Women's Club?
The official name of the club is the Woman's Club of Palo Alto, not the Women's Club of Palo Alto or Palo Alto Women's Club (despite the sign at our venue)
By using the original name, the Woman's Club of Palo Alto, we strive to honor our historic roots and express gratitude for the intense activism of our early members.
The Woman’s Club of Palo Alto originated in the 19th century during the Woman’s Suffrage movement and the Woman’s Christian Temperance Movement. Alice Park, an active club member, worked hard for women’s rights locally and abroad and Emily Pardee Karns Dixon, twice president of the Woman's Club of Palo Alto, led the successful local drive for California women’s voting rights in 1911.
Philanthropy
Each year, the Woman’s Club of Palo Alto awards grants to nonprofit organizations in the local community.
Grants Recipients
2023
Able Works
EPACENTER
Nuestra Casa
RISE
Day Worker Center of Mountain View
2022
MOVE Mountain View
Redwood City Educational Foundation
Upward Scholars
Youth United for Community Action
2021
Adolescent Counseling Services
Ecumenical Hunger Program
RAFT
Rise Together Education
2020
Ada’s Cafe
Kids & Art
Music in the Schools
Palo Alto Community Fund Covid-19 Relief
Teen Success
2019
Abilities United
All Five
Dignity on Wheels
Peninsula Healthcare
Ravenswood Educational Foundation
2018
Avenidas Door to Door
Downtown Streets Team
Heart & Home Collaborative Women’s Shelter
Palo Alto Players
Women’s Achievement Networks (WANDA)
2017
All Students Matter
Avenidas
Building Futures Now
Christmas Bureau of Palo Alto
East Palo Alto Kids Foundation
Random Acts of Flowers
2016
Cardiac Therapy Foundation
CASA
Deborah’s Palm
Jeremiah’s Promise
Palo Alto Housing
Peninsula College Fund
2015
Able Works
Adolescent Counseling Services
Daybreak (a program of Star Vista)
Foothill De Anza Foundation
Sequoia Adult School Scholars
StreetCode Academy, Live in Peace
2014
Foundation for College Education
New Voices for Youth
Palo Alto Art Center, Kaleidoscope
Pursuit of Excellence
Racing Hearts
Women SV
2013
AAUW Palo Alto Branch
Avenidas Early Literacy Program
Bill Wilson Center, Quetzal House
Canopy
Cardiac Therapy Foundation
Reading Is Freedom
2012
Child Advocates
Dream Catchers
Ecumenical Hunger Program
Just Read
Music in Schools
Women’s Achievement Network (WANDA)
2011
Abilities United
Acterra
Environmental Volunteers
Palo Alto History Museum
Peninsula Stroke Association
Project Safety Net
Reading Partners
Sparks
2010
Art of Yoga Project
EPA Kids
EPA Youth Court
Foothill College
Foundation for College Education
Palo Alto Housing Corporation
Shelter Network/Haven Family
2009
Blossom Birth Center
Clara Mateo
Jeremiah’s Promise
Music in the Schools
Opportunity Center/Hotel De Zink
Rosalie Rendu Center