For 120 years, the Elsinore Woman’s Club has been part of Lake Elsinore’s history.
Founded in 1906, the organization has grown into a community group with more than 100 members, a historic clubhouse and a tradition of volunteer service.
“It’s a sisterhood,” EWC President Darlene Wharton said. “People love to come to the Woman’s Club. It’s a gathering of women who enjoy being with each other.”
The club was founded 14 years before women gained the right to vote nationwide.
“Back in the history of things, women weren’t allowed to do a whole lot,” EWC Auditor and Past President Lynda Krisko said. “This was a way for women to reach out and do things for the community on their own and for a little bit of independence. A lot of legislation and libraries and things have come about because of Woman’s Clubs across the country.”
Members originally gathered in each other’s homes before moving into the club’s current clubhouse, which was built in 1926 and is considered a historic landmark.
EWC First Vice President Patricia Miller shared the story of Isabel Norris, who donated the land where the clubhouse now stands and pledged $1,000 a year for five years to help fund its construction. Norris’ husband later donated a Steinway piano that remains inside the building today.
Outside the building, a Little Free Library honors longtime member and author Helen Aurelia Smith, dedicated in celebration of her 100th birthday.
According to members, women once held annual spaghetti dinners to help pay off the clubhouse mortgage.
“When they finished paying it off, they burned the mortgage,” Krisko said. “They had a ceremony because we owned it free and clear.”
Today the club has about 103 members, including several women who have been part of the organization for decades.
“We have longevity in this club,” Wharton said. “Many members have been here over 20 years.”
“It’s nice because they share with our new members, our younger members,” Miller said. “They share all the history and what’s gone on.”
Wharton said one member that is over 100 years old still attends meetings.
“She says, ‘I just come here for the hugs,’” Wharton said.
The club not only takes pride in its history but also in helping the community.
The club partners with local schools throughout the year. It has also worked on projects ranging from child abuse awareness campaigns at elementary schools to domestic violence education programs for high school students.
Elsinore Elementary School recognizes Elsinore Woman’s Club for their volunteer work. (Photo courtesy of Elsinore Woman’s Club)
The club also awards scholarships to graduating seniors across the Lake Elsinore Unified School District every year.
Members said one of the most memorable moments came from when the mother of a scholarship recipient spoke about what the award meant to her family.
“There wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” Krisko said. “It still makes me tear up when I think about how grateful she was.”
This year, the club awarded eight $1,000 scholarships.
The Elsinore Woman’s Club 2026 scholarship recipients pose for a photo during the awards presentation on June 11. (Photo by Emily Baierl)
The club also helps local families during the holidays. Working with local schools, the club identifies families in need and provides Thanksgiving meals, Christmas gifts and other support.
To fund these efforts, members organize a variety of events throughout the year, including craft fairs, restaurant fundraisers and more.
One of the club’s most popular events is “Rummage Runway,” a fashion show featuring clothing donated to their annual rummage sale. In recent years, adoptable dogs from Animal Friends of the Valley have also been included in the show.
“They put little scarves on the dogs, and they come out and we tell their stories,” Miller said. “They all got adopted.”
For many members, joining the club starts with a desire to volunteer, connect or meet new people.
Wharton said she first joined 13 years ago after seeing a group of women laughing together at a gym cycling class.
“I said, ‘I want that,’” Wharton said. “I just retired from work and I wanted to do something. I started talking to them and they said, ‘Why don’t you come to the women’s club?’”
Marian Taylor, who has been a member for 10 years, said she joined after moving to the area.
“I really didn’t know anyone, so I’d get out and walk every morning and I met this gal, and she introduced me to her mom, and her mom was a member here,” Taylor said. “So I came to a meeting and I really enjoyed what I saw. I always wanted to get involved in giving back to the community.”
That sense of connection is what draws many members to the club and keeps them coming back.
“It’s like we’re a family and get to watch each other grow,” Krisko said.
“And we help each other grow,” Miller said.
