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In 1888, The Century Club of California (CCC) was established by 111 active, forward-looking women from the Bay Area. Arguably the most prestigious and exclusive San Francisco women's club during the late 19th and early 20th century, the Century Club was unique in that no "cause" prompted its creation or drove its subsequent activities - save the personal empowerment and social pleasure of its membership. Members were proposed and admitted based primarily on accomplishments and personal achievement, social connections were a secondary consideration.
The continuing apolitical nature of the CCC was made clear by one of the club's earliest House Rules which states, "neither a member nor a guest may use the Clubhouse or the Club roster for selling tickets, soliciting funds for any individual or organization, or advertising any enterprise." That said, throughout the years many of our club members have held positions of local leadership in organizations associated with social reform and community betterment. Civil discourse on current topics by members has always been encouraged. Indeed, Formal Debate by members was a regular feature of the club's early Wednesday programming. However, such was the need for earlier members to protect themselves from public derision that another House Rule was created - one prohibiting public notification of anything that happened within the clubhouse walls.
Happily, the need to protect women openly expressing opinions is no longer necessary and the associated House Rule retired, allowing the CCC to share its history and offer Archive access to interested researchers. The links below offer just a glimpse into the many materials available. For more information, contact the Clubhouse Manager at manager@thecenturyclubofcalifornia.org.
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