The Elks Ladies of Prescott was recognized on the night of December 26, 1933, with fifty members signing the charter. The Ladies organized for the purpose of promoting better relations between Elks' families and to aid the men in any of their social and charitable projects.

Of course, as is only natural with a lodge that nationally does not have an auxiliary, our first meeting caused quite a stir among our brother Elks. We met and set on benches, and that humble beginning is hard to imagine now in our present spacious and beautiful quarters. The men showed much interest, and from time to time came down stairs to see if our meeting was over, and to find out just what we were up to. After the meeting, we went upstairs for doughnuts and coffee and dancing.

One of the first projects of the Ladies was a Christmas Party for all children of the Elks. It is amusing to note that our share of that first party was $12.50, the Elks Lodge assuming an equal portion. These Christmas Parties have grown so that the annual cost is ten times that amount, and now it is a question who derives the most pleasure from the parties, the grown-ups or kiddies. During the first year, many different money-raising projects were held, such as cooked food and rummage sales, card parties, etc. For the Arizona State Elks Association Hospital at Tucson, the first year thermos bottles and dresser covers were purchased, and in October of the year the pro ceeds of the Benefit Bridge, amounting to $60.00 was turned over to the Hospital.

In 1935, the Elks ladies of Prescott presented a check for $25.00 to the Elks at the Kingman Convention, for use at the Hospital. That year the Ladies made jellies and Christmas candies, which along with sheets and pillow cases were sent to the Hospital. At the Kingman Convention, the Elks discussed trying to carry the Hospital one more year, in spite of the growing sentiment for abandon ment of the project. To that date, it had been impossible to fulfill their contractual obligations, and even the most essential items of the operating costs were barely covered. An air of discouragement prevailed. The Ladies in Prescott learned of the difficulties and offered their services. The men, of course, were still pessimistic about women being able to do anything very worthwhile, and so the women set out to show just what they could do, as we all know women do not like to be told that they can't do things. In January of 1936, the Elks Ladies of Prescott voted to send Ruth Dise and George Born to Tucson to see Mr. Starkweather, and with his approval start out over the State to organize the Ladies Elks Hospital Parties, and the first year a check for $1,804.55 was presented at the Yuma Convention, $211.05 of this coming from Prescott. As an Amusing incident, in the 1936 January minutes, there was a motion to have a dinner at the hotel for the Incoming Officers of the Elks Ladies. In the discussion, it was mentioned to try to get the dinner for 50 cents a plate.

In 1937, the State-wide parties continued under the chairmanship of Ruth Dise and netted $3,400.00, which practically saved the Hospital, and assured the men that after all the women are able to "pull the chestnuts out of the fire." At the luncheon that year for the Elks Ladies, It was voted to elect a chairman each year from the Ladies throughout the State, and this procedure fol lowed for the next few years.

Since the beginning, the Ladies have proven themselves a great help in assisting the Elks when they have a convention, whenever they have a public dance. The Elks Ladies Drill Team that was developed shortly before the 1937 convention in Prescott, has not only assisted the men in the check room at every dance, but has been a colorful part of the Annual Flag Day Services. The men have come to look to the Ladies for help in many ways, and the potluck suppers and other joint entertain ments have certainly made for better relationships between the Elks Ladies, their Brother Elks and the world about them, which is the symbol of the Clasped Hands in the very impressive ritual that has been such a beautiful part of the meetings of the Ladies in the past several years.

In addition to the mutual undertakings with the Elks Lodge, the Ladies alone have rendered valuable assistance to many community projects. Unhampered by restrictive by-laws or other regu lations, we have been able to act promptly in emergencies, where other organizations would be considered delayed. One such instance occurred during a scarlet fever and diphtheria epidemic when there was a urgent need for vaccines to be administered to the school children and the Elks Ladies immediately supplied the required funds. This was prior to the time when free State supplies were available.

During the depression years, we furnished milk for the school lunch program for needy children. Many pairs of glasses were paid for by the Elks Ladies for children with defective vision, when the school nurse certified the need and the parents were unable to pay the cost thereof. This continued until the local Kiwanis Club, conforming to a Nation-wide program, assumed the responsibility.

There are numerous cases of shoes bought for the needy children, supplying milk for six months to a family of three small children, etc... to mention a few.

In as much as our initiation fee of $2.00 pcr year, have always been intentionally low so as not to impose a financial burden on any of our members, we have had to resort to various fund raising projects, such as rummage sales, cooked food sales, bingo parties, card parties, etc... to carry on the aforementioned activities, and we proudly boast that we have done it all through our own efforts, without begging donations from merchants and others.

In our thirty (30) years of existence, the enthusiasm and interest of the members is as high as ever, and throughout the entire period, our meetings have always attracted a large audience.