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The Brookfield Junior Woman’s Club was incorporated on November 16, 1967 in affiliation
with the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs (GFWC). It was started by 25 women
committed to serving the local and world community. The GFWC provided the club with
direction and structure. In addition, the GFWC selected an annual focus which the clubs
were asked to support at both a local and national level. “It gave all of us a sense of reach
and helped us see the impact the clubs had across the country” reflected Sue Abler, BJWC
president 1994-1995. For example, in an effort to support the National Society for the
Prevention of Blindness, the BJWC offered free vision screening to young children since the
screening was not offered through schools and/or regular checkups at the doctor at the time.

The BJWC supported other national programs throughout the years including Project Hope
(collection of leather shoes to be used in fitting children with orthopedic braces), Operation
Smile (raised funds to underwrite the costs of providing needed cleft plate surgery to
children in 3rd world countries), Vietnam War relief (collected clothing for refugees), alcohol
abuse prevention (conducted drug surveys for Waukesha County), literacy (provided reading
services and programs to children), recycling (collected glass bottles in conjunction with Girl
Scouts of America), handicapped assistance (produced educational literature and
performed puppet shows for children as handicapped children were mainstreamed into the
school system), etc..

The BJWC has sponsored a number of annual events that have become a tradition in
Brookfield over the years. Specifically, the Brookfield Easter Egg Hunt, Brookfield Spelling
Bee, Elmbrook Art Show and Safety Town. In conjunction with National Education Week, the
BJWC personally recognizes the staff at the private and public schools each year for the
impact they have on the youth of our community. They also sponsor a dinner for the
residents at Jordan House. During the holidays, they assist the Brookfield Post Office in
making sure that all of the children’s letters to Santa are delivered and receive a personal
reply from Santa himself!

Over the years, the BJWC has raised additional funds as needed for special needs in the
community. Its first grant was awarded in 1968 to the newly built Elmbrook Memorial
Hospital to sponsor a room from the proceeds of a pancake sale. Later efforts subsidized
the Hospital Library, scholarship programs, etc.. In the early 70’s, membership rose to 40+
members. As membership rose, the club was able to conduct larger fundraisers (charity
balls, casino nights, sport nights, art fairs, etc.). Beginning in the 1980’s, the club’s signature
fundraisers became the Christmas home tours and the Spring Fashion Show. In the early
1990’s, the club conducted a capital campaign to raise enough funds to build the Survive
Alive house (which teaches fire safety to elementary school children from both private and
public schools) in partnership with the Brookfield Fire Department. In the late 1990’s, the
club committed to a 4 year capital campaign to raise $50,000 to build the art terrace at the
Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. The club surpassed its goal and completed the
campaign in 3 years!

In addition to grant awards, BJWC members were asked to bring donations to each monthly
meeting to support the selected charity of the month (e.g. New Berlin Food Pantry, U.S.
Armed Forces, Children’s Hospital, etc.).

Club meetings were held on the 1st Tuesday of every month at the BJWC clubhouse at
14455 W. Lisbon Road. Past members commented that they were well run but allowed time
for socialization. Many offered notable speakers such as Al McGuire (1969), Don Wirth
(1970), etc.. The clubhouse has since been sold. Meetings are now held at the Senior
Community Center in Civic Plaza.
BJWC Past Presidents
1967 – 69         Janice Scheetz                   1987 – 88         Jensey Engle
1969 – 70         Sandee Confare                 1988 – 89         Sharon Horick
1970 – 71         Jan Daett                              1989 – 90         Jill Lackey
1971 – 72         Marjorie Parker                    1990 – 91         Karen McInerany
1972 – 73         Mary Jean Haslam            1991 – 92         Chris Lutz
1973 – 74         Barbara McCumber           1992 – 93         Sheila Schrieber
1974 – 75         Joan Kennedy                     1993 – 94         Barb Klicka
1975 – 76         Sharon Wilson                    1994 – 95         Sue Abler
1976 – 77         Elaine Hausman                1995 – 96         Robin DeVilbiss
1977 – 78         Barbara Koester                 1996 – 97         Nancy Barrock
1978 – 79         Kathleen Hermann             1997 – 98         Diane Nemcek
1979 – 80         Joan Carnell                        1998 – 99         Gretchen Burns
1980 – 81         Linda Tojek                          1999 – 00         Valle Moretti
1981 – 82         Sharon Harrington              2000 – 01         Christine Keyes
1982 – 83         Karen Schoeder                  2001 – 02         Leslie Stollberg
1983 – 84         Jan Moths                            2002 – 03         Christine Keyes/Valle Moretti
1984 – 85         Ganell Quant                       2003 – 04         Latasha Schwartz
1985 – 86         Elaine Applegate                2004 – 05         Libby Wistrom
1986 – 87         Deborah Musante              2005 – 06         Molly Steffen
                                                                       2006 – 07        Amy Quinn
                                                                       2007 – 08        Laura Schmidt