I had the pleasure of sitting down this afternoon with the Bisbee Woman’s Club’s current President, Jan Bolduc, whose two-year term at the helm has been as challenging as it has been rewarding. With a five-member Board: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, and Technical Information Officer, and an additional 42 members, Jan has been responsible for coordinating the monthly meeting agendas, facilitating executive meetings, and helping guide the Club through a period of exciting growth and modernization.
But to understand the Bisbee Woman’s Club today, you have to look back to where it all began.
At the turn of the 20th century, Bisbee’s women gathered in sewing and reading circles to socialize. One woman, however (Helen French), envisioned something more impactful: an organization where women could not only connect socially, but also serve their rapidly growing community. In the fall of 1900, that vision became reality with the founding of the Bisbee Woman’s Club.
According to current members, Loretta Plaa and Lindsay Koehler, early members faced a practical problem. Their homes were simply too small to accommodate large gatherings. So, the women did what Bisbee women have always done. They got to work! By raising and borrowing funds, they erected their own clubhouse on land loaned by Phelps Dodge for just $1 per year.
Designed by a local architectural firm and dedicated on New Year’s Eve in 1902, the building is believed to be the first women’s club building in Arizona. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 and has since hosted everything from club meetings and fundraisers to weddings, concerts, educational programs, church services, and civic events. Today, it holds the distinction of being the longest continually used women’s club building in the state. As Plaa aptly puts it, “The history of the Bisbee Woman’s Club is the history of the city of Bisbee.”
In the past, Jan explained, the organization functioned primarily as a social club. Today, it has evolved into a service-driven one, and that shift is attracting younger members. Meetings are now held in person and on Zoom (when necessary) simultaneously, thanks to Susan Morss, the club’s Technical Information Officer, who has also implemented a shared Google Drive system that allows members to collaborate and stay informed in real time.
One of the Club’s most meaningful initiatives is the Young Woman of the Month program, in which Bisbee High School selects a student to speak about her future goals and aspirations. Each honoree receives a scholarship from the Club, with one young woman chosen at the end of the year for an additional award.
The Club also proudly hosts For the Love of Music Series, an annual event started 40 years ago by a Club member that brings world-class musicians to Bisbee, offering ticketed performances for the public and free opportunities for local students.
But the biggest annual fundraiser is the Bisbee Home Tour & Art Auction, which will be on the weekend of November 27 and 28, 2026. The 2025 event raised the largest amount to date, over $30,000. The funds will be distributed to grants, scholarships, and the historical preservation of the Bisbee Woman’s Clubhouse, which was built in 1902.
Jan herself first became involved after moving to Bisbee in 2011. The following year, after meeting members through a local book club, she was invited to attend a luncheon and meeting, and the rest is history. From 2012 to 2024, Jan helped run the annual Bisbee Home Tour & Art Auction, facilitating executive meetings and strengthening community partnerships along the way. Her leadership has been instrumental in keeping the Club’s mission moving forward.
That mission has deep roots. In fact, the Bisbee Woman’s Club was involved in the Suffragette movement before Arizona even achieved statehood.
Today, the Club’s Grants program funds local projects that further education, arts, and community development, enhancing Bisbee’s cultural landscape through fresh ideas and passionate leadership. The Home Tour & Art Auction continues to bring positive attention to the city while raising funds for Scholarships and Grants, and serves as a powerful connector between artists, longtime locals, and newcomers alike.
Membership has rebounded significantly since the pandemic, and with the option to attend meetings via Zoom, the Club has become more accessible to working women and busy moms. More members mean more volunteers, more creativity, and ultimately, a stronger Club, and a stronger Bisbee.
The Bisbee Woman’s Club is currently accepting applications for its 2026 Grant Awards through Friday, April 10. Awards of up to $1,000 are available for organizations and individuals whose projects benefit the Bisbee community by furthering education, improving skills, expanding rights, and meeting local needs. Applications are available at www.bisbeewomansclub.com.
The Club is growing quickly, and you don’t have to live in Bisbee to become a member. The House Committee also rents the historic clubhouse for events, continuing a proud tradition of community connection more than a century in the making. After meeting with Jan Bolduc and getting a crash course in the history, and all that encompasses the Bisbee Woman’s Club, receiving a luncheon invite to become a possible future member sounds like a worthwhile endeavor!