History

Monthly meetings were at the Huckins Hotel, then the center of social life in Oklahoma City. In the fall of 1926, the first edition of THE HANDCLASP was mailed to members of the club. A charter was granted in 1927 by the Secretary of State and the first constitution and bylaws were made. In the early 1930s, the meeting place was moved to the Oklahoma Club, where an average of 500 members were entertained. Dues were $1.00 and the elaborate luncheons were 75 cents. 

By this time, the original purpose of the club “to extend hospitality to all visitors to Oklahoma City from over the State of Oklahoma and to all prominent or distinguished visitors from outside the state” was broadened to include philanthropy, charity, and education. Members granted scholarships to underprivileged students, assisted in eliminating deficits in the Oklahoma City Symphony, and campaigned actively to gain support for the symphony. 

Press recognition of the club’s activities was tremendous. Oklahoma Hospitality Club was praised as a statewide force with an influence that was powerful enough to move the state legislature and governor to appropriate $500,000.00 to secure a building large enough to house the relics and records of Oklahoma’s history for the Historical Society. Oklahoma Hospitality Club members were active in the Chamber of Commerce, civic and convention committees. Many inaugural balls were guided by these enterprising women. 

In 1931, Oklahoma Hospitality Club was responsible for the sale of tickets for the benefit Aerial Circus starring the legendary Amelia Earhart. Proceeds from this project went to provide nourishment for needy children. Annually, Oklahoma Hospitality Club members played “Santa Claus” to 2,000 disadvantaged youngsters at a huge Christmas party in the Warner Theater. A circulating toy store was established at Crippled Children’s Hospital. A picnic for 300 children from Community Camp was held, and 5,000 Easter eggs were distributed to orphanages and other institutions. Because children were always high on the priority list, the Junior Symphony was a major project. 

During the Depression, Oklahoma Hospitality Club members were even more active in the giving of themselves to the needs of the community. With poverty a way of life, members completed 5,000 investigations for the Mayor’s Unemployment Committee. When a devastating flood hit Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Hospitality Club members rallied to the aid of the Red Cross and canvassed the city in a clothing drive to help the victims. 

A much sought-after cookbook was compiled and published, with one location for sales set up at the courthouse for couples applying for marriage licenses. 

In August of 1934, the junior division of Oklahoma Hospitality Club was organized under the leadership of Mrs. Betty Harwood. Beginning with fifty charter members, the continuous growth of the junior group eventually led to their incorporation as a separate, self-sufficient organization. Originally, it was organized for the daughters of Oklahoma Hospitality Club members, and their objective was philanthropy and to help the parent club. In November of 1958, they incorporated under the name of Junior Hospitality Club. A strong bond existed between the two organizations, each supportive of the other, with an interchange of representation to the Boards of Directors of both groups. 

With the entry of the United States into World War II, the activities of Oklahoma Hospitality Club reflected a deep sense of patriotism, sacrifice and urgency. Members concentrated on buying and selling defense bonds and stamps. One dedicated member sold a $100,000.00 bond, and still another amassed $200,000.00 in sales. Troop trains were met regularly by the Troop Transit Committee of the club, who handed out packages containing playing cards, mints, cigarettes and writing paper. Marine dances were chaperoned. Seven bomb shelters and a WAC Shack were sponsored. Two rooms at Will Rogers Air Base were furnished, and parties for service people were held there regularly. Oklahoma Hospitality Club was really living up to its name. 

Civic duty and projects were not neglected during this time as this caring group sponsored neighborhood clubs. Because the boys and girls were entertained and kept off the streets, Judge Blinn reported that delinquency had been reduced 43%. Out of this grew support for Blinn House, and for many years the Oklahoma Hospitality Club provided many of the necessities for the house. 

With all these activities, Oklahoma Hospitality Club members still found time to have an annual circus at the Crippled Children’s Hospital and to send deserving youngsters to camp. When the County Farm for Old Folks was built, it was located on a bare and windswept knoll east of the city. Oklahoma Hospitality Club landscaped the grounds, built a fish pond, planted trees and shrubs, and continued their support later on with air conditioning. 

In the 1950s, Oklahoma Hospitality Club members were having bridge benefits, silver teas, rummage sales, carnivals and barbershop quartet shows. In 1951, they had charge of arrangements for the March of Dimes Inaugural Ball for Governor Johnston Murray. During this era, with the Korean War going on, Oklahoma Hospitality Club members were continuing to staff the coffee bar at the Induction Center five days a week. 

The Cowboy Hall of Fame was the recipient of a donation from the club when it was built. Oklahoma Hospitality Club members worked toward making the dream of creating a shrine at the Gateway to the West a reality. High on windy Persimmon Hill, honoring and keeping the traditions and trappings of a time in our past, the Cowboy Hall of Fame became that reality which memorializes a way of life now gone. 

In the early 1960s, the Dairy Bar at the State Fair was started. It proved to be a successful experiment and was one of the main fundraising projects for 49 years. 

In 1966, “Ladies in the News” fashion show and luncheon had its beginning. This annual event, which honors women who have distinguished themselves in their chosen profession or community, continues to be a widely acclaimed show of which we can all be proud. 

Since 1970, our chief sources of revenue for the club’s many philanthropies have been the Ladies in the News and other yearly fundraisers. The beginning of each year has seen a continuation of successful fundraisers, which seem to grow and grow. Oklahoma Hospitality Club has returned over $2,000,000.00, plus thousands of service hours to our community. 

Oklahoma Hospitality Club continues to be made up of talented, dedicated women. It is a strong and effective group, backed by a century of warm friendship, hard work, time, talent and service – with emphasis on caring and sharing. In 2023, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt presented Oklahoma Hospitality Club with a proclamation celebrating the club’s 100th Anniversary.