For Women's History Month, Hahn Honors East Whittier Woman's Improvement Club on its 125th Anniversary
March 24, 2026
Hahn presented the East Whittier Woman’s Improvement Club with a County scroll this morning. A photo of their historic Clubhouse appears on the screen behind them. (Credit: Bryan Chan)
Los Angeles, CA – This morning, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn honored the East Whittier Woman’s Improvement Club on the occasion of Women’s History Month. The club, which is dedicated to community improvement and preserving local history, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. The East Whittier Woman’s Improvement Club is believed to be the oldest women’s club in the County east of Los Angeles.
“The story of the East Whittier Woman’s Improvement Club is women’s history,” said Hahn. “At a time when women did not yet have the right to vote, when their voices were too often left out of public life, a group of determined women in Whittier came together with a vision to improve their community, to create opportunity, and to build something lasting.”
Among the Club’s notable accomplishments are preserving historic buildings such as its own Clubhouse, which began as a pump station for the East Whittier Land and Water Company before being acquired by the Club in 1908. The historic building now serves not only as the Club’s Clubhouse but as an events venue. Members of the Club were also instrumental to the restoration of the Pio Pico Adobe in Whittier, which served as the home of California governor Pio de Jesus Pico before and during the Mexican American War.
For today’s presentation, Hahn was joined by the Club’s current president Jan Daigneault, incoming president Mary Pat Killian, and 99 year-old past president Sylvia Foltz, in addition to other members of the Club.
Past club president Sylvia Foltz speaks during this morning’s presentation. (Credit: Bryan Chan)
“Women started in 1901 saying, ‘You know, the men have a club—called the pub. And we need a club to learn about current events, improve our arts, and have some place for the community to gather and be women and be leaders in our community,'” said Club President Jan Daigneault, who thanked Hahn for the recognition. “Since 1901, our mission has remained the same: to foster friendship, support our community, and preserve this special place for future generations of women.”
“It’s been a joy to be a member of the East Whittier Woman’s Club,” said past club president Sylvia Foltz, who is 99 years young. “I first joined the club in 1951 when we had a junior group, and it’s just been a big part of my life.”
