WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION HISTORY
The Western High School Alumnae Association was organized in 1899. Henrietta Szold was the first president. The first meeting was held on January 18, 1900 and the first annual meeting was held on May 7, 1900. From 1899-1930 its presidents were: Henrietta Szold, Agnes Jordan Stewart, Imogene George, Elinor Knell Moore, Elizabeth A. Smith, Margaret Jeager, Maizie Knipp Bett, Margaret Jeager Leher, Paula M. Schnieder Schuler, Bessie E. Kelibacker, Margaret Waters Muse, Lucille Tingle Mason, Evelyn Earp Parlett, Miriam Warfield Shaw and Polly Wright Young.
The original goals and objectives of this Association focused on enhancing school service as well as purchasing materials and equipment. One of the special projects was the school library. Four hundred books were collected to start this library in 1900. The Association paid the librarian's salary and continued to improve the quality and quantity of library donations. In addition to overseeing the library, the annual contributions were made to the school magazine, school campus committee and the school cooperative bureau. Gifts presented to Western High School included a school portable radio, motion picture machine with pictures, and photography records for departmental equipment.
The first Association actively reigned for 45 years; however Western did not have an active alumnae association from 1945-1986. The goals and objectives of the current Association are very much like those of the first Association. The idea of reactivating an Association for Western was born during the time of Western's 140th anniversary. A steering committee was formed and the Association was incorporated in June 1986. The incorporates were Stephanie Pullen Brown-'66, Ellean Bliss Mays-'51, Jacqueline Brown Frierson-'67 and Cyndy Renoff-'66.
A steering committee, under the precept of Stephanie Pullen Brown, provided the direction for the Association by formulating a mission statement, establishing committees and creating a newsletter. The Western High School logo was enlarged to include "Alumnae Association" thereby becoming the Association's logo. The Association's first annual meeting and "All Alumnae Reunion Celebration" was held in May 1986.Presidents from 1986 to the present include Florine Robinson, Tanya Hall and Donnice E. Brown.
The Association operating under voluntary leadership received its 501-C3 non-profit advance ruling status in July 1990 and its permanent non-profit status in November 1994. It's purpose, according to the Articles of Incorporation, shall be to "support the preservation of the standards set by the women who have graduated from Western High School by (1) providing resources to the school; (2) providing mentors to students; (3) acquiring funds and property to be used for the benefit of students' activities and (4) to serve as advocates for the school."
The Western High School Alumnae Association is a membership organization. Membership is open to ALL graduates and staff of Western High School. The Association's fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30.
Graduates newly inducted into the Alumnae Association during the Graduation Ceremony held in June of each year, have their dues waived for one fiscal year. After that time, they are sent a statement for renewal of dues.
Dues help to defray the costs of printing, postage, supplies, equipment, software, maintenance and other related costs of running the Association. The Association accepts monetary and in-kind contributions.
The Western High School Alumnae Association awards three scholarships each year during the Graduation Ceremony. The Alumnae Scholarships are awarded to students with a "B" average. As a part of its fundraising development efforts, the Association is a member of the Combined Charity Campaign for Baltimore City and Retirees.