VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS were established as soon as Oklahoma
was settled. Farmers organized unions and granges. Business
and professional men joined in creating commercial clubs,
chambers of commerce, and associations. Women, especially
in the towns, followed the examples set for them, or set the
examples, and had sewing circles, study clubs, and other group
meetings. The men ate at luncheons where the women served
refreshments.

An Historical Sketch of the Federation of Women's Clubs of
Oklahoma and Indian Territories, which covers the period
1898-1908, is filled with information. "The pathway to civil-
ization and culture has always been marked by the footprints of
the woman pioneer." Certainly this was true in Oklahoma.
The clubs formed by these pioneer women gave opportunity
"for companionship and for intellectual and spiritual uplift."

Philomathea of Oklahoma City is the pioneer federated club
of Oklahoma. It was formed in October, 1891, by twenty-two
women representing seventeen different states; two members
were from Nova Scotia. A more cosmopolitan group would
have been difficult to find. This club founded the first humane
society in Oklahoma City; this was doubtless the first in Okla-
homa.

On May 24 and 25, 1898, twenty-four delegates representing
eleven women's clubs met in Oklahoma City, upon a call of
Philomathea, to organize the Women's Federation of Clubs.

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