Women's League

The Women's League at the University of Puget Sound was originally formed, and continues, to support the University. Their fund raising efforts throughout the years have provided a variety of aid to the school.

The Women's University League, as it is now named, was organized in the year 1900. The early history of the League included providing financial assistance for a building fund overdraft in 1903 and establishing a Home Economics Department.

When Dr. and Mrs. Todd came to the University in 1913, Mrs. Todd quickly became active in the League. Soon thereafter, a new heating plant was needed for the girls' dormitory on the old campus, and the Women's League gave $450 toward it.

During these early days, the Women's League also supported female graduates, who at that time wore white dresses instead of caps and gowns. The Leage made these dresses, as some girls could not afford to buy one.

Throughout the years, the League gave support to the University. In 1931 the sum of $5,180 raised by the League was given to the Trustees to be used as part of a fund to be matched by the Rockefeller Foundation. Around this time, there was a room in Jones Hall, called the YWCA Room, maintained by the League. Old treasury books show numerous disbursements from the League for refurbishing this room, which was used by women students for meetings.

When the first women's residence hall, Anderson Hall, was opened for occupancy on February 1, 1939, it was furnished entirely by the League.

Since that time, the League has pledged to numerous projects on campus. They furnished the lounge of the first men's dormitory, Todd Hall. They pledged $5,000 to furnish the lounge of the new Music Building. Next came $2,500 for a patio and landscaping in front of Anderson Hall. A pledge of $3,300 was made to each of the next two residence halls.

Thus it has been through the years. With each new building, the League has given generously, including a $25,000 pledge for the fieldhouse renovation. This has all been accomplished by loyal and devoted women working to sell tickets to concerts, lectures, fashion shows, rummage sales, two editions of a cookbook, and finally, the largest of all projects, the annual flea market.

Our common goal has bound us into a loving, warm group to which we welcome any and all who care to be a part of our wonderful organization.