Matron Club History

In September 1941, Marjorie Dumas Lawless assembled a group of her friends and new acquaintances organized a social club and named it "Junior Matrons".  The original purpose was purely social, but since its inception, the club has consistently adjusted its purposes and program to reflect societal changes and needs.  Until its 50th anniversary, the program scope embodied social, civic, educational, religious and cultural activities.  At that juncture, the purpose of the club again became essentially social; but maintained the option to engage in limited involvement in other endeavors.

Significant of the inventiveness and keen insight of its membership was the Club's decision to introduce their own children and the children of their friends to society.  Thus, the idea of an Annual Debutante Ball was conceived.  Over a period of twenty-seven years, eight hundred and seventy-five girls were presented to the Baton Rouge society through sponsorship of "Junior Matrons".

Presentation of the Annual Debutante Balls ended in 1971.  After thirty-five years of fellowship and service to the community, the name of the club was changed to "Matrons Club," reflecting maturity and the achievement of both stature and status in the Baton Rouge area.

The club celebrated its 50th Anniversary, with a Reception/Dance on Saturday, October 19, 1991, at the Camelot Club.  Three hundred and twenty-four guests shared the occasion.  The celebration was climaxed with worship service at Mt. Zion First Baptist Church the following day.

We celebrated 63 years on Friday, October 29, 2004, during a regular scheduled meeting.  This celebration was planned by the Social Committee and Eva Castain Williams, Hostess.

Annual contributions are given to Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge, Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation and the DeBose National Piano Competition Foundation, Incorporated.

"Teddy Bears" are donated to the Office of Community Services (OCS), to be given to Adopted and Foster Care Children.

Many members are Volunteers for Community Agencies, affiliated with Local and National Organizations and also contribute (individually/family) to Charitable groups.