Our History

In the days of Roosevelt's New Deal, 29 women become charter members of a new philanthropic and social organization, the Barrington Junior Woman's Club. Dee Homuth is among the charter members, and Ruth Ahrens Munson joins a few months later.

The Juniors begin as the “child” of the Senior Woman's Club, with members “in training” for the Senior Club. The two groups exchange meetings, a Senior sponsor, Mrs. Higgins, looks after the Juniors for many years, and the Juniors support the Seniors' projects: child welfare, the Red Cross and the Little Wanderers' Nursery. Meetings are held twice a month in homes, church community rooms, the public school and the public library, and soon move to once a month.

Members roll bandages and buy drinking cups for soldiers at Fort Sheridan.

Members help organize the bloodmobile for blood donations to Korea.

Langendorf Park becomes the club's permanent meeting place in the early 60s. Members take part in Barrington's Centennial and send baby blankets to hospitals in Vietnam.

The club establishes Safety Town, organizes the All-Town Picnic for the Bicentennial and gives $5,000 to the Pediatric Ward at Good Shepherd Hospital. As the link with the Senior Woman's Club dissolves, the Juniors become a separate corporation and are legally incorporated as a nonprofit in the early 70s.

The club establishes its scholarship fund for a Barrington High School student, supports the Officer Friendly program and the Elgin Crisis Center, and organizes “Barrington Youth on File” and “Services for Seniors.” New fundraisers begin: the Cornucopia Craft Fair, the cookbook Homemade in Barrington and the Spring Fashion Show. Over the years, fundraising has ranged from sponsoring movies, card parties and selling candy and peanuts to a dinner auction and flea and craft shows.

Safety Town's permanent site opens, offering hands-on safety education for local children.

Safety Town celebrates 20 years and is named an official “Train Town USA” by Union Pacific.

Giving Day serves 466 families and more than 1,100 children.

BJWC marks its 90th anniversary.