"The Mother Club of Stanislaus County"

After the Woman’s Improvement Club was organized in 1906, they immediately collected food and clothing for the victims of the San Francisco earthquake, built a bandstand in Courthouse Park and established band concerts, and launched their first annual fund-raising project – THE FIESTA. 

Celebrating Arbor Day in 1907, “the ladies” had 250 trees planted on the Salida Road and 500 trees along Maze Road.  Another 970 trees were planted in 1909.  Their vision, dedication, and hard work inspired others including local businessmen.  Their tree projects and desire for a public park caught the attention of T. J. Wisecarver and T. K. Beard who offered land for a public park – provided “the ladies” would commit to a development schedule.  Soon James Enslen and William Wilkinson donated additional park land.  In all, the W.I.C. ladies secured and developed six parks for the betterment of the lives of local citizens.

The dedication of Graceada and Enslen Park was held April 5, 1907, at the unpaved intersection of Alice and Park Avenue.  Special thanks were expressed with roaring applause for Wisecarver, Beard, Enslen and Wilkinson for their generosity and public spirit.  A sycamore tree was planted honoring the founding president of the W.I.C., Mrs. Alice Stone Dozier.  Congressman J. C. Needham spoke to the audience of the generosity and energy in promoting the growth and welfare of Stanislaus County often expressed by the late Oramil McHenry, and an additional tree was planted in his honor.  The W.I.C. ladies took this to heart and consistently over the years honored others by planting a tree.

Do the citizens of Modesto today realize the debt of gratitude they owe the W.I.C. ladies?