Stow Woman’s Club grants two college scholarships
Stow — Things certainly have changed through the years for the Stow Woman’s Club, which organized in 1902 and is marking its 106th year.
During World War II, members of the Stow Culture Club, as the woman’s club formerly was known, met in homes, said Club President Janet Howard of Stow.
“They met for the whole day, sewing bandages for the wounded [soldiers],” she said. “Then, they had lunch.”
These days, meetings are conducted at First Christian Church in Stow.
One thing that has been consistent, though, is the group’s scholarship fund. Scholarships have been awarded since 1935, Howard said.
In keeping with the long-standing tradition, club members this year raised and donated college scholarships to two local 2008 Stow-Munroe Falls High School graduates — Stow residents Karen Smearsoll and Courtney Erin McCoy.
Smearsoll is studying early childhood education at Kent State University, while McCoy is enrolled in the broadcast journalism program at Kent State University, according to their application letters.
Smearsoll and McCoy each received $1,400 from the Anna Grubb Scholarship, in memory of one of the woman’s club founders, during the high school’s recognition awards night in May, said Howard.
The money was raised largely through fund drives and investments, she said.
“We buy out the house at Stow Players each February for one night, and all the proceeds go to our scholarship fund,” said Howard.
Providing scholarships has been an annual effort for the woman’s club since 1935, Howard said.
“The first was for $50, and that was a fair amount of money in those days,” she added.
She said the club, which has about 60 members, also raises funds to donate to several area organizations, such as Good Neighbors, Friends of the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, Haven of Rest, Open M and the Stow Historical Society.
“The money given depends on the amount of money available in the fund,” said Marjorie Durbin, scholarship chairperson for the club. “Last year, we gave two scholarships for $1,200 each.”
Recipients must be graduates of Stow-Munroe Falls High School who have not already received other scholarships, Durbin said.
“We work with the guidance staff of the high school. Students have to first apply for scholarships,” she said.
The Stow Woman’s Club meets at 1 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, October through May, in the fellowship hall of the First Christian Church, 3493 Darrow Road in Stow.
“Women of the community are always invited,” said Howard.
For more information, call 330-689-0826.
E-mail: twolfe@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3916
