Welcome To The Woman's Club

Founded in 1910, The Woman’s Club of Albany (WCA) maintains an organized center for cooperation among women in the Capital District for civic, literary, and charitable works. In the Club’s initial years, members worked tirelessly to rally support for essential civic programs still in place today: city-wide garbage collection and fire protection, mandatory meat and milk inspection, higher wages for teachers, the removal of common drinking cups in schools, and the hiring of the City of Albany’s first female probation officer.  While the Club flourished for many decades, by 2003, only three elderly members remained. In 2004, five energetic and idealistic women discovered and joined the WCA, determined to revive the Club as a center of activity benefiting the community. Today, the Club has over 100 members of all ages, interests, and professions.

The Woman’s Club Today Today, through volunteer services, in-kind gifts, and/or monetary contributions, Club members work to help local charitable and civic organizations that address basic and pressing community needs. With the recent renaissance of the Club, the membership strives to heighten awareness about the historical, social, and legal movements of women; and promotes community service and philanthropy, particularly for underprivileged children and families in the Capital Region. Among those organizations that have benefited from the WCA’s work are the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, Parsons Child and Family Center, Equinox Safe House for Women, the Upper Hudson Library System, the Music Mobile, Steamer No. 10 Theatre programs for Children, Historic Albany Foundation, Capital Region Sponsor-a-Scholar Program, Albany High School International Baccalaureate Program, Girls Inc., WERCand a number of Capital Region inner city and rural school libraries.

About the WCA’s Historic Building The house at 725 Madison Avenue was built in 1895 as the residence of Joseph Steefel, one of two brothers who owned a clothing store on State Street in Albany. In 1919, the Steefel home at 725 Madison Avenue was purchased by The Woman’s Club of Albany with donations from the Club’s founder, Mrs. Elmer Blair. The impressive Chicago-style prairie/mission, three-story brick building has a prominent front porch and is attached to its twin building by a side porte-cochere. In 1972, The Woman’s Club building was included in the Washington Park Historic District, which is on the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places, and is designated locally under the City of Albany Historic Resources Commission Ordinance.

Capital Campaign Challenge: 
If Club members and friends donate at least $1,000 by December 31st, a Club member will give another $1,000.  Your gift now will contribute to that match and go directly toward the restoration of the West Bay.   


Tours arranged
by appointment, upon request.
518-465-3626

Membership Information