Woman's Forum prepares for 100th anniversary celebration
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)— The Woman's Forum is getting ready to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
Since 1925, the Woman's Forum of Wichita Falls has been a charitable force and an outlet for women to grow. On March 3rd, the group will celebrate its illustrious history in the city. According to Kristine Thueson with the Art's Council, the preparation for the celebration has been meticulous, to say the least.
'They've spent an entire year putting together a lot of their historical documents,' Thueson said. 'The dress, from one of their members, Heather Tedford, pictures of the past presidents, a lot of historical documents that they've had in their archives.'
Over its 100-year history, the Woman's Forum has undergone many changes. Through her time as president and as a member of the board of directors, Joyce Capron has learned much of the group's history, seeing the group change from its beginnings to the present day.
'The arts and education and community service, they're all still the same. But we have evolved and given more opportunities to women,' Capron said.
By learning the group's history, Capron saw how the Woman's Forum handled crises like World War II. Capron was a part of the group through the Covid-19 pandemic, another event that forced the Woman's Forum to change. For many long-time members the centennial celebration is not just celebration of success. It's a story of survival.
'We have survived a lot of things through the years, and it's challenged us to stick together and to continue to have an outlet for women. Because it's really about women helping women,' Capron said.
After being built by the Woman's Forum in 1927, The Forum building, now owned by the Art's Council, is the perfect place to host the group's 100th anniversary.
'Women came here in the past. This was a meeting place, a gathering place, and it continues to be that same type of venue, and we're thrilled with that,' Capron said.
The centennial celebration will go from March 3rd through the 29th. If you miss the first day, there will still be plenty of time to take a dive into the history of the Woman's Forum.
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