Bullitt County Woman's Club

Originally written in February 2013 by David Strange, this story was updated February 2023 for the 100th Anniversary of the Woman’s Club of Bullitt County.

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In early 1900's America, change was in the air. On August 18, 1919, after years of effort and sacrifice, the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving women the right to vote. But that was just one sign of a growing movement of women not only demanding their rights, but taking responsibility.

Even in the seemingly prosperous "Roaring Twenties," there was much that needed to be done, and women were working to do it. That was true even in little rural Bullitt County.

In 1923, Bullitt County had a population of about 9,400, compared to 85,000 today. Of those 9400, about 2600 were listed as illiterate. Twenty-eight percent of the population could not read. Some people were prospering. But oh so many more were not.

Ninety years ago this year, in 1923, the Bullitt County Woman's Club was born. To be more accurate, the club was first formed as the Woman's Club of Shepherdsville, changing its name in 1927 to "The Woman's Club of Bullitt County," to reflect its county-wide scope, and then finally to "Bullitt County Woman's Club" in 1934.

The club got off to a fast start, focusing partly on self improvement through cultural and intellectual awareness, but quickly taking a lead role in improving the lives of all Bullitt Countians.

Recognizing the dramatic need of better literacy in the county, the club quickly created Bullitt County's first public library in 1924 with 500 books donated by Mr. W.H. Troll, with other books added to the collection by the members.

That first small, but oh so major step forward, grew into what is today a county public library system of which we can all be proud. But it took a lot of work and sacrifice for these community-minded volunteers to first get the library on its feet.

The library of books was first housed in a room provided by St. Aloysius Catholic Church, with Woman's Club volunteers serving as librarian. Over the next thirty years, the library moved from the church to the county courthouse, to the First Baptist Church of Shepherdsville, to the home of Ms. Verna Jones, and to the home of Judge Morrows. Over those thirty years, the Woman's Club bore nearly the entire expense of the library, serving the public good.

In 1963, thanks to the generosity of the Ridgway family and the leadership and fundraising of the Bullitt County Woman's Club, the library obtained its first permanent home. That year the Ridgway Memorial Library was established and dedicated by Samuel H. Ridgway, Jr., and Billy Howard Smith, grandson of Dr. & Mrs. S. H. Ridgway in the former family home. That house was eventually replaced by a new building located on the same site, and then replaced in turn by an even nicer building. Other major branches have been added over the years and a new four-million-dollar Central Library was added in 2022.

But as major a contribution to Bullitt County as is the establishment of the popular public library system, it is only one of many community accomplishments of the county woman's club.

Among many activities over the years, the club established some of the first health units in the county. Club efforts and backing brought the first water and sewage treatment systems to Shepherdsville. Club members did not just ask for these things, but organized, did the paper work, and walked the door-to-door work necessary to make such things really happen.

Over these one hundred years of existence, a primary focus of the club has been the youth of Bullitt County. Several playgrounds were sponsored. Books were collected to give to children. Club efforts helped establish the county parks and recreation program in 1972. In recognition of long-time leader Irene Carroll, the Irene Carroll Scholarship Program was started in 1972. Since that time, over $250,000 in scholarships have been awarded to Bullitt County students.

In fact, the 49th annual Irene Carroll Scholarship fundraising Luncheon and Fashion Show will be held March 18, 2023.

Irene Carroll was a former school teacher of Speech, English, and History at the old Shepherdsville High School. In the mid-1920s, she became a member of the Bullitt County Woman's Club, and remained a part of that organization for more than 63 years until her death in 1988. In 1936 she was named state secretary, and two years later she was president of the Kentucky Federation of Women's Clubs. Her interest in education contributed to the club's sponsorship of college scholarships for local students.

Understanding the importance of remembering our history, the Woman's Club participated in the restoration of the historic Woodsdale one-room schoolhouse, and the Bowman's Valley African American schoolhouse, both relocated next to the county school board offices on Highway 44 East.

Recent years have seen active club support of such programs as CASA, Shepherd's Shelter, the Center for Women and Families, and Operation Bright and Beautiful. Fundraisers include an annual chili supper in Shepherdsville, a cake sale in Mt. Washington, and the scholarship program luncheon and fashion show.

The Bullitt County Woman's Club's one hundred years of active service marks it as the oldest volunteer organization in the county.

Happy anniversary, ladies!

Thank you for the memories that your work has made possible for so many.

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Below you will find other information related to the club and its members.

Charter Members: Mrs. Susie Bridwell, Mrs. Ella Chappel, Mrs. Mary Collins, Mrs. C. C. Hackney, Mrs. Malcolm Harmon, Mrs. Pearl Ice, Mrs. Ivy McBride, Mrs. O. P. Means, Mrs. Ada Troutman, Mrs. Letitia Wilson.

Honorary Members: Anna Faye Crockett, Louise Terry, Eva Moser, Helen Underwood, Joan Walker, Roxie Bishop, Rhonda Welch.

Outstanding Club Woman of the Year Award: Helen Underwood (1982), Barbara Plenge (1983), Jane Sanders (1984), Dorothy Hartsell (1985), Cheryl Crenshaw (1986), Glenda Heath (1987), Janet Teensma (1990), Donna Stout (1991).

Past District Governors: Betty Porter, Carol McLaughlin, Donna Simpson, Barbara Wright.

Polly Cundiff - 1987 Kentucky Mother of the Year Award.

Mrs. Annie Troll	Mrs. Howard Hardin
Mrs. C. C. Hackney	Mrs. Ralph Henderson
Mrs. Ada Troutman	Mrs. H. H. Combs
Mrs. L. L. Burkhalter	Mrs. Louella Schmitt
Mrs. Lindsey Ridgeway	Mrs. Newton Helm
Mrs. O. P. Means	Mrs. W. W. Griffin
Mrs. Ella Chappel	Mrs. Irene Carroll
Mrs. Frances Crossfield	Mrs. James Cecil
Mrs. Robert Henderson	Mrs. M .L. Major
Mrs. Malcolm Harmon	Mrs. Pearl Quick
Mrs. Susie Bridwell	Mrs. Ivy McBride
Mrs. Thomas Cruthers	Mrs. Tom Givhan
Mrs. Pearl Lee	Mrs. Polly Cundiff
Mrs. Robert Simmons	Mrs. Thelma Newman
Mrs. Ray Bush	Mrs. Mary Shuffett
Mrs. Mary Collins	Mrs. Hester Belle Hardaway
Mrs. T. G. Harned	Mrs. Ramona Greschel
Mrs. Margaret Foster	Mrs. Dorothy Hartsell
Mrs. Letitia Wilson	Mrs. Lucille Warren
Mrs. Henry Hamilton	Mrs. Willie Maye Hackett
Mrs. Fletcher Smith	Mrs. Magdalyn Porter
Miss Ethel Newman	Mrs. Jane Sanders
Mrs. Ella Hardy	Ms. Nell Sanders Pike
	Mrs. Mona Tamme

1972	Vickie Craddock
1973	Debra Ray
1974	Carolyn Coleman
1975	Barbara Owen
1976	Lowena Coleman
1977	Tim McConnel
1978	Beverly Reeks, James Shepherd, Theresa Vincent
1979	Jeff Strange, Eddie Cambron, Charles Smith
1980	Doug Large, Carla Washburn
1981	Scott Gordon, Jennifer Brown, Theresa Lay
1982	Gerald Burba, DeAnna Herr, Robert Kennedy
1983	Monty Edwards, Ronald D. Pierce, Alice D. Baggett
1984	Troy Thompson, Terry Patton, Kathryn Hennig
1985	Terry Thomas, Mary Beth Simms, William Edwards
1986	Dennis Mitchell, Bobbie French, Angela Roberts
1987	Angela Carney, Darla S. Cole, Robert Hickman
1988	Kristi Owen, Steven Miller, Melissa Cook
1989	Eric Scott Elwell, Steven Miller, Melissa Cook
1990	Kimberly Adams, Jessica Hester, Sheila Jordan
1991	Travis J. Wright, Leslie Hillerick, Sherry Rafferty
1992	Misty Schlatter, Suzanne Wick, Chris David England
1993	Jeff Zinger, Julia Feedback, Kerry Weston
1994	Julie Roemele, Christopher Hodge, Jason Schmidt
1995	LeaAnn Breeden, Jane Richardson, Derek Hall
1996	Maggie Schneider, Marcus Bourke, Sacha Dees
1997	Karen Hardman, Danielle Herriford, Beth Mudd
1998	Amanda Ferguson, William Ray McCrary, Olivia Korfhage
1999	Mark Rawlings, Holly Skidmore, Elizabeth Osbourne
2000	Stephanie Burden, Phoenix Freeman, Audra Harris
2001	Scott Simmons, Heather Clifton, Brooks Skelton
2002	Adam Bohannon, Josh Powell, Megan Anderson
2003	Chareta Jennings, Josh McDaniel, Noelle Lewis
2004	Krystal Light, Angela Cravens, Christy Denham
2005	David Denham, Alex Wimsatt, Brittney Roederer, Madison Benock
2006	Shelbi Dyer, Dustin Seabolt, Brandy Mason, Chad Perkins
2007	Zachary Morris, Samanada Mattingly, Megan Hardin, Elisha Plummer
2008	Kayla Pugh, Ashley Thornton, Daisy Lucie, Lori Rutledge
2009	Courtney Fletcher, Tanner Greenwell, Christina Dilley, David Martin
2010	Katie Saling, Ben Kemble, Lavella Hall
2011	Brandon Gifford, Miciah Ocasio, Cameron Deacon, Sherah Fowler
2012	Nikole Isabel, Sara Harper, Cynthia Keifer
2013	Kourtney Burkhead, Nola Hoffman, Erin Mattingly
2014	Alypea Dunn, Joseph Combest, Jessica Roederer
2015	Kiley Johnson, Mikayle Kesler, Brittany Compton
2016	Eric Sanchez, Mariah Philpot, Nathaniel Decker
2017	Brianna Clinard, Frankie Masters, Mandy Rogers
2018	Katerin Davenport, Marlene Michael, Christina Sewell
2019	Kayle Nutgrass, Taylor Dunton, Katherine Milby
2020	Shelby Kover, Brooklyn Cahoe, Shianne Smith
2021	No Program
2022	No Program
2023	to be added soon
Bullitt County Art Council Scholarship
2007	Holly Riggs
2008	Ryla Luttrel, Anthony Neace, Austin Jenkins

1973	Sarah Routt	1990	Susan Bates
1974	Debbie Thomas	1991	Amdrea Burden
1975	Kim Sewell	1992	Lori Roby
1976	Dinah Pike	1993	Krista Webb
1977	Susan Farris	1994	Beth Hettinger
1978	Denise Corum	1995	Sarah Zinger
1980	Glenda Rice Watkins	1996	Julia Sander
1981	Jackie Holt	1997	Jodi Harris
1982	Theresa Higdon	1998	Tiffany Cobble
1983	Renee Hamilton	1999	Leslie Dorris
1984	Lisa Raymer	2000	Christine Nugent
1985	Jennifer Porter	2001	Stacey Spears
1986	no program	2002	Keisha Wooley
1987	Robin Reynolds	2003	Ashley Dorris
1988	Tiffany Teensma	2004	Chassidy Gibson
1989	Emily Bryan	2005	Meredith Brown
		2006	Kaitlyn Peace

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Copyright 2023 by David Strange, Shepherdsville KY. All rights are reserved. No part of the content of this page may be included in any format in any place without the written permission of the copyright holder.

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