Brookfield Junior Woman's Club

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 BJWC supported 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 palate 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 children with disabilities were included in traditional school systems), etc..

Over the years, the BJWC has raised additional funds as needed for specific 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!

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 and other local establishments.

Currently the BJWC is comprised of about 25 members and sponsors a number of local events that have become a tradition in Brookfield over the years. Check out our Annual Events page to find out more about our events and programs!