Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
WA-TAN-YE
WA-TAN-YE. The local chapter boasts of hosting the first rummage sale in Dubuque. Wa-Tan-Ye, a national women's service club for business and professional women, celebrated fifty years of service to Dubuque on September 24, 1987. The celebration in the Julien Motor Inn (now the HOTEL JULIEN DUBUQUE) was held in the same room that held the charter dinner on September 25, 1937. (1) At their November meeting each of the nineteen members brought an article of clothing to be donated to a needy high school girl. (2)
Dedicated to doing well for others, the club is best remembered for its fund-raising booth at the DUBUQUE COUNTY FAIR. From its beginning, the group supported the GIRL SCOUTS and originally sponsored a troop. In later years, proceeds from the club activities supported two Girl Scout camp scholarships and a wide variety of other community organizations. During WORLD WAR II the Ride-A-Jeep War Bond Campaign directed by Mary BIGGINS and Genevieve Butler was one of the club's most successful fund-raisers. (3) The event resulted in an estimated $50,000 worth of war bonds being sold. On December 6, 1941 a two-man Japanese submarine tried to make its way into Pearl Harbor the evening before December 7, 1941. The submarine had lost its bearings and was found on a reef. In October, 1943 the boat was put on display in Dubuque by the Dubuque County War Finance Committee with the Wa-Tan-Ye in charge of ticket sales. Admission to see the submarine was by ticket with each costing the purchase of a $25 War Bond. (4) In 1949 a Christmas party was organized for children of the ST. MARY'S ORPHAN HOME. (5) Gifts were distributed by club members to residents of the DUBUQUE COUNTY HOME in 1955.
Source:
1. "Wa-Tan-Ye to Hold Mother's Day Bond Drive," Telegraph-Herald, May 11, 1944, p. 19
2. "Wa-Tan-Ye's Bring Clothing Articles," Telegraph-Herald, November 17, 1937, p. 4
3. "Jaunt-on-Jeep" for Each Bond," Telegraph-Herald, May 13, 1943, p. 8
4. "Captured Sub Fights Japan," Telegraph-Herald, October 11, 1943, p. 9
5. "Wa-Tan-Ye Club Plans Yule Party for Orphans," Telegraph-Herald, Dec. 15, 1949, p. 7