By Eddie Hughes (’05)
The Fresno State Women’s Association, formerly the Faculty Wives’ Club, celebrated its 100-year anniversary with an April 26 luncheon in the Resnick Student Union on campus. Citing changing times, the club announced it will sunset this year. The club established a scholarship endowment and has long provided scholarship support to Fresno State students. Current Women’s Association board members included MaryAnn Dews (president), Liz Shields (ex-officio), Lenore Yousef (scholarship coordinator), Martha Rodriguez (treasurer), Jeanie Whaley (newsletter, courtesy and historian coordinator), Ceroasetta Simba (secretary and new member coordinator) and Betty Haak (dining out coordinator).
The Faculty Wives’ Club of Fresno State College was organized in 1925 with 22 charter members. Lota Thomas, the wife of Fresno State’s second president Frank W. Thomas (who served from 1927-48), was the club’s first president. According to the 1952 Faculty Handbook, “The purpose of the Faculty Wives’ Club is to promote friendliness and acquaintanceship among wives of faculty men and to be of service to Fresno State College.”
– Eddie Hughes
