HISTORIC BEGINNINGS:
Two year Terms for Officers, WSFGC Scholarship Fund, Junior Gardeners
The fifth WSFGC President, serving from 1938 to 1939, was Mrs. Bruce Nelson of Mt. Vernon (Chuckanut District). The State Meeting preceded the Pacific Coast Regional Meeting held on July 27-28, 1938 in Seattle. Mrs. Nelson recommended a two year term of office for state officers and chairmen and the election of all garden club officers in the same month and year to establish a permanent record system and better communication.
Serving from 1939 to 1941 was Eva Cole Scott Simms (Mrs. Arthur Holmes), our sixth President. Born in Spalding England, she and her husband were pioneers in the first Garden City Club in England, 1910. She was active in the campaign "Votes for Women" in London and lived in Winnipeg and Vancouver, B.C. before moving to Seattle in 1915. She was a charter member of North End Flower Club and an Honorary member of the Anchorage Garden Club in Alaska.
In 1939, the Sixth Annual Meeting was held in Yakima and wildflowers (especially of Yakima) were the motif of the convention. The following spring the Federation sponsored conservation trips to the Olympic Mountains. Changes in the Bylaws provided for Junior Gardeners and a Chairman was appointed. By January of 1940, 65 members attend the Executive Board Meeting in Seattle. Two guests from Alaska were present. They were organizing clubs in the North and wished to affiliate with WSFGC until 10 clubs were organized and then Alaska could have its own Federation.
In 1940, the Eighth Annual Meeting was held in Everett and Mrs Simms was re-elected. It was voted to change the term of office for State and District officers from one to two years. In March 1941, the 22nd National Flower Show was held in the Civic Auditorium in Seattle, the first time this show was held on the West Coast. Walla Walla was the site of the Ninth Annual Meeting in 1941. Our Federation was rapidly growing with 150 clubs and 3,000 members. A Garden Prayers by Ilse Tierny of West Seattle was adapted as a Federation Collect. President Simms established a fund for scholarships and there was discussion of hosting the National Convention in Seattle in 1942. However, after Pearl Harbor, the National Annual Meeting location was changed to Philadelphia, closer to the center of garden club population, to save on travel time and expenses. Mrs. Simms was Honorary Life President of Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs.
Mrs. Harry L. Stinson served from 1941 to 1943 as our seventh President. Per capita dues were increased to fifteen cents. Both Oregon and Washington Federations participated in the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in March 1942. The two Washington gardens (exhibited by Chuckanut and Snoqualmie Districts) received first awards. The Chuckanut garden was chosen for the front cover page of the National Bulletin now known as The National Gardener. Our victory garden program was recognized as one of the best efforts in the nation and a Victory Garden Show was held in Sicks's Stadium, Seattle. By 1943, no Judges Council Meetings were held until the war effort subsided. Membership was now 5099 and the WSFGC President was allowed $400 per term for expenses.
Included in our war efforts were camouflage cuttings. Clubs had a goal of 1,250,000 bundles. Vegetables were home-grown and local radio stations carried weekly 15 minute programs by talented garden club members. Once a month the programs were strictly "Victory Gardens". It was mentioned how lucky we were, as radio stations could sell this time for $37.50 per minutes.