Bethel Park-based Ruthfred Aces Woman’s Club celebrates 75 years
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You could say that the 75th anniversary for the Ruthfred Aces Woman’s Club came at the right time.
Civic-minded Bethel Park residents founded the group in 1947, meaning this is the year to mark three-quarters of a century of helping to make for a better community.
That also means the anniversary didn’t occur at the height of the covid-19 pandemic, with the safer conditions of 2022 allowing for today’s members from throughout the South Hills to gather for a full-fledged celebration.
“It kind of reminds me of people who are in tornado shelters, and then they come out from their storm cellars. They’re looking around like, is it safe? I’m not quite sure. And then they get to be more confident,” Veronica Kochinski, who chairs the 75th-anniversary committee, said. “That’s the way we did it. We brushed the dust off, being cautiously optimistic, and went on with the year. And that’s why we are able to be here now.”
The celebration took place May 10 at the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center on South Park Road, a building that already was 42 years old when the Ruthfred Aces Woman’s Club was formed. Thanks to tireless work by the Bethel Park Historical Society, the center has undergone an impressive series of restoration measures and now serves as a top-notch venue for a variety of events.
A highlight was a “Memories” performance by club members, primarily on the anniversary committee, calling themselves the RAWC Players. They presented a series of sketches reflecting various eras of the club’s existence, from its founding through the 21st century, using period telephones for props and providing amusingly time-relevant dialogue.
Part of the celebration was dedicated to honoring past club presidents, “especially those who remain members of the RAWC today.”
Kochinski was on the list as having served in 1977-78 and again in 2001-02, joined by Joyce Niedzwecki, 1980-81 and 2008-10; Joan Morton, 1982-83, 1989-90, 2000-01 and 2006-07; Marcia Agnelly, 1990-91 and 1997-98; Dorothy Holden, 2007-08; Mary Kay Miller, 2010-11; Judy Oakley, 2011-13; Michele Schnieders, 2016-18; and Beverly Doyle and Barbara Reibold, 2018-20.
Serving the past two years, through the pandemic, has been Patricia Moore.
“I had to have a lot of help, which I’ve been very fortunate to have,” she said. “I’ve never asked anybody to do anything that they haven’t said yes.”
She was presented with a proclamation by Mayor Jack Allen designating May 10 as Ruthfred Aces Woman’s Club Day in Bethel Park, and with further acknowledgements of the anniversary from the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives.
Each of the club’s officers, in fact, agreed to stay in their positions for a second year following the uncertainty of 2020-21: Beverly Doyle, vice president; Judy Oakley, secretary; and Joanne Koller treasurer.
For the coming year, Koller will serve as president, and Oakley retains her position. New officiers will be Kim Long, vice president; and Susan Wesolowski, treasurer.
During the celebration, four-term-past-president Morton gave a historian’s report chronicling club activities for 2021-22, including members’ continuing the tradition of supporting community organizations.
For example, South Hills Interfaith Movement, the human services organization headquartered across South Park Road from the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center, was the recipient of $2,200 as Moore’s selection for the year’s service project. Among other beneficiaries were the Adopt-a-Family program, Operation Troop Appreciation, local Wreaths Across America efforts, area homeless shelters and, appropriately, the Bethel Park Historical Society.
“Members today are proud of the club’s heritage,” Kochinski said. “While we have broadened our circle of members, we remain true to our original goals: to develop the educational, civic and social interests of members, and to advance the welfare of our community and our fellow human beings.”