Early History of the ICCW

Early History

The Illinois Club for Catholic Women originated in 1920 with the hope of providing a club for every woman who sought the finer things in life at a cost within her means. Founded by Julia Deal Lewis, the Illinois Club for Catholic Women occupied the eight skyline floors overlooking Lake Michigan, in majestic Lewis Towers, combining Luxury, tradition and modernity on Chicago's famed Magnificent Mile.

Membership dues at the time were $12.00 a year. The Club offered everything - Grand Lounge, Ballroom, Swimming Pool, Recreational Room, Dining Room, Snack Bar, Cocktail Lounge, Formal Parlors, Mediation Chapel, Gift Shop, Card Rooms and Meeting Rooms. Living accommodations for businesswomen who appreciated the best at a moderate cost consisted of private rooms with bath or dormitories with an adjoining lounge. Automatic laundry facilities were also available.

Early Social Activities

As a club member you might have participated in Membership Teas for new and present members, Bridge Tournaments; A Fortnightly Dancing Party with instructions in new dance routines for children and teenagers; Dinner Dances; spectacular Brunch; Christmas Party; Weekly Smorgasbord Buffet Dinner; VIP Show of the Year; Presentation Ball and Presentation Ball Junior Auxiliary Events.

Religions and educational programs were also offered - Days of Recollection, Shrine Towers, Lectures and Discussions, Great Book Series and Current Book and Play Reviews.

Over the years ICCW has met members' social needs and obligations. Whether it concerned invitations for a few for a luncheon or dinner, or a social get-together - members were provided with a gracious room for their entertaining. The Club was the downtown home for its membership.

The Philanthropic Program

The Philanthropic Program consisted of Social Service work with the club providing food, clothing, milk and other essentials for sick and under-privileged children and for entire families in times of need. Also available was the Mission Sewing Service to Foreign Missions, consisting of voluntary service in the Gift Shop, or in the Thrift Shop located at 2462 N. Clark Street.

During the Second World War, members of the ICCW formed Red Cross sewing and knitting groups, solicited blood donors, aided USO activities, collected clothing for worldwide distribution at the request of Pope Pius XII, promoted the sale of defense bonds, and expanded their program for needy children.

The Beginnings of the “Presentation Ball”

In 1958 the "Presentation Ball Committee" was formed, another landmark in the social history of the Club. From this committee emerged the club's primary fund-raiser, a gala holiday ball to present young Catholic women to Catholic society.

The Presentation Ball was responsible for two new groups within the club - the Junior Auxiliary, comprised of young women who were presented, and the senior Auxiliary, their mothers.