Venerable Women’s Club dedicated to the community

By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

In 1968, shortly after Westlake Village was built and people began moving in, a group of women got together to form a social club. Within three years, that club evolved into a service organization known as the Westlake Village Women’s Club, which today helps fund many local charities and scholarships.

This month the group held its largest fundraiser of the year, its 36th annual Fashion Show and Luncheon. Nearly 400 women attended the activities at the Westlake Hyatt Hotel.

Sponsored by The Oaks mall, the event included a silent auction; vendor booths featuring jewelry, gifts, and handbags; and the fashion show, which showcased the latest styles from stores at The Oaks.

"This is something we are proud to do every year and we have fun doing it," said Doris Rufener, the group’s president emeritus.

That philosophy prevails in whatever activities the club promotes. In the fall the group hosts a tea and lunch at North Ranch Country Club, an event attended by about 250 people.

"It’s a great group of people. We really enjoy each other," said Ruth Diehl, who joined in 1992, shortly after moving to Westlake Village from North Hollywood. "We’ve done a lot of good things."

Among those good things are funding scholarships for graduating seniors at seven area high schools as well as scholarships for music and art students. The women also allocate money to a wide range of area charities, including the Babies in Need program at Casa Pacifica, Senior Concerns, Many Mansions, Meals on Wheels, New West Symphony and many others.

Most of the funding comes from the annual fashion show event. As much as $27,000 has been raised in the past.

"We get a lot of support from area merchants who donate gift certificates, tickets and other items. The Oaks funds the entire show and covered the printing costs of our flyer," said Karen Bradley, fashion show chairperson.

When the club first formed, many of the women joined to meet their neighbors. Westlake Village had recently been built and everyone was new to town. According to Rufener, a variety of ideas were tossed around, such as finding property to build a spa just for women, but in the end it was decided that the group should join the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, an international service organization, to pursue philanthropic causes.

"We love doing the things we do together to make money for the charities we support," Rufener said.

The club has about 89 members, including three of the original founders, Helene Ross, Dee Morrow and Shirley Chatterton. In addition to participating in local activities, the women attend state and district conventions.

Rufener says lifelong friends are made through the organization and members help each other through good and bad times. When Rufener lost her daughter, Karen, to ovarian cancer six years ago, the club created an annual high school scholarship in her name.

Rufener herself has served not only as chapter president, but also as district president and state president.

"It just got in my blood," Rufener said. "The Women’s Club has been part of my life and I’ve really enjoyed it."

The group meets the second Tuesday of the month at the Westlake Village Inn. There is no age requirement. Membership dues are $45 a year, with a $10 initiation fee. For more information, call (805) 375-0325.