Credit Women Organize Club in ’36
The Article below is from the Missoulian Sentinel Centennial Edition of 1960:
Credit Women Organize Club in ‘36
A group of 57 women who met at the Coffee Parlor for a 7 a.m. breakfast May 14, 1936, comprised the Missoula Credit Women’s Breakfast Club.
The first officers were Thelma Earnheart of the Motor Supply, president; Celia McVey of the Leader, vice president, and Hazel Williams of Priess Ready to Wear, secretary-treasurer. Del McCune of the Missoula County Credit Men’s Association was made an honorary member of the club.
The club affiliated with the Pacific Northwest Council of Credit Women’s Breakfast Clubs in 1930. In 1937 when the organization became international, the Missoula club was awarded both the bulletin and the attendance awards at the meeting in Spokane.
Long Active
The club’s six charter members with longest active service are Thelma Earnheart, Doris Hogan, Lucinda Hughes, Ellen Johnson, Kathryn Kerin and Margaret Lemieux.
The first bosses’ banquet, one of the outstanding social functions of the club, was in February 1937 at which time the bosses were honored guests of the club members.
The Missoula Club hosted the second Regional Conference of Montana for Credit Executives, Retail Credit Grantor, Credit Bureau and Credit Women’s Breakfast which met in Missoula Sept. 6, 1942, at Hotel Florence.
Assist During War
During World War II several members would spend one evening each week at the Red Cross headquarters making bandages. The club also participated in the AWVS training service for GIs.
The primary purpose of the club is credit education and training. In addition to studying the Manual sent from the Central office each year, the club sponsors courses in Business Law, Letter Writing and Income Taxes. Several members have attended the adult education classes at the High School and four members have attended the night class in Secretarial Procedure at the MSU School of Business Administration.
Officers in 1960 are Miss Grace Stover of Lucy’s, president; Mrs. Florence Bakke, of Bakke Tire Co., vice president; Mrs. Delories Fey of the Missoula Chamber of Commerce, secretary-treasurer; Mrs. Florence Cunningham of the Mueller Tire Co., historian, Mrs. Stella Guilbault of Dee’s Market, chaplain, and Mrs. Earnheart of the Motor Supply Co., corresponding secretary.