Members of Dixon Women’s Club have continued to serve the community for over a century. Left to right:  Pam Marks, Martha Dukes, Pat Inderbitzen, Ruth “Binky” Eason, Teri Osterman Brown, Diane Schroeder, Cindy Heeney, Jewel Fink, Ashley Alvarez, Angela Remides.  Not pictured: Carol Marshall and Cheryl Hughes. Photo courtesy of Dixon Women’s Improvement Club

DIXON, CA (MPG) — As communities around the world observe International Women’s Day in March, members of the Dixon Women’s Improvement Club (DWIC) say the annual recognition reflects the long tradition of women contributing to civic life in the city.

Founded more than a century ago, the organization traces its origins to the late 1800s, when a group of local women sought to improve conditions in the agricultural town.

“The women in 1895 were the wives of landowners and farmers, as they perceived that the town was kind of a hotbed of prostitution and gambling, same as a lot of frontier towns,” said Jewel Fink, the club’s incoming president. “They took it upon themselves to right the wrongs and beautify the city.”

According to club leaders, the group began as a Shakespeare club before formally becoming the DWIC in 1905.

“The desire of the women back then was that we needed a library, and they wanted to do things to improve Dixon to make it better for everyone,” said Diane Schroeder, the club’s scholarship chair.

One of the club’s earliest accomplishments was helping establish a library in Dixon. The building opened in 1904 and served the community for decades.

“Dixon’s library wasn’t the first in Solano County, the Vallejo Carnegie was,” said current president Teri Osterman Brown. “But it was built in 1904, and it was demolished in 1969, so it’s no longer functioning.”

The club also helped create and maintain Women’s Improvement Club Park.

“The resolution to dedicate the park was in 1932 to give it to the City of Dixon,” said Brown. “DWIC is the steward of the park. You can’t build anything in that park without consulting the club.”

In the early years, fundraising often relied on community events organized by members.

“To get funds for the park, the women would cook food at home and bring all this food in and would serve lunches at the library,” said Brown.

Members also supported national causes, including women’s suffrage.

“We supported passage of the 19th Amendment,” said Brown.

For Fink, the legacy of that movement is closely tied to the meaning of International Women’s Day.

“When my mother turned 21, she couldn’t vote,” said Fink. “I know there are countries where women are legally restricted from driving a car, let alone voting. To me, it means freedom.”

Brown said the day also reflects the influence women have had in their families and communities.

“It reminds me of my mother,” said Brown. “She may not have had a career, but she helped raise a lot of kids in town and gave us the opportunity to do whatever we wanted to do in our lives.”

Schroeder said the day is an opportunity to recognize women’s contributions.

“For me, International Women’s Day is recognizing the accomplishments and contributions that women can make,” she said. “I grew up in a household where I was told I could do anything or be whatever I wanted to be.”

Today, the club continues its work through scholarships and community grants.

“Our very first scholarship was in 1969, we gave $200,” said Schroeder. “Then you fast forward to 2025, where we gave seven scholarships, five of them $1,000 each and two $500.”

Last year, 47 students applied for scholarships.

The club also distributes community grants to support local schools, organizations and projects. The program began in 2017.

“As of 2017, we’ve given out $24,000-plus,” said Brown.

Scholarships are funded through the club’s annual fundraising dinner, scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. May 1 at Pedro’s Cocina, 1425 Market Lane. Ticket sales support scholarships, while raffle baskets and a silent auction help fund grants.

The club currently has nearly 60 members and a 12-person board. Brown, who has served as president for several years, is preparing to share leadership with Fink as co-president in May.

Despite its long history, members say the organization continues to look ahead.

“We need a new generation in the DWIC,” said Fink.

Schroeder said younger residents interested in community involvement are encouraged to participate.

“Join the club,” she said.

For more information, visit pageturnpro.com/Dixon-Womens-Improvement-Club/112721-Dixon-Community-Resource-Guide to access the organization’s community resource guide.