Over a century of learning and growing together

ATTICA — For over 125 years, a small group of women in the Village of Attica have met not only to read book but to broaden their horizons and come together as a community. The Attica Women's Literary Guild, founded in 1899, has quietly endured through wars, social upheaval and a pandemic, meeting month after month to discuss history, art, culture and current events. More than a book club, the guild was born from a desire to learn and to connect in an era when few formal educational opportunities were available to women. "We were a group that wanted to further our education," said Paula Karr, the guild's president since 2019. "We wanted to learn and grow and share. And that's still what we're doing." According to historical documents shared by Karr, the Guild began with 12 members and strict bylaws that shaped the structure of each meeting in 1899. Each woman was expected to present a paper or program related to that year's theme. Attendance rules were firm, members who missed too many meetings were asked to resign. "That was not just in our group," Karr explained. "That was a cultural thing for women's clubs of the time." Initially, guild members just met in each other's homes. But as the group expanded first to 16 members, and now to 20, the organization began to meet at the Seneca East Public Library. While the size and location have changed, the purpose of the organization has not. "We're not just about reading a book and giving our opinion on it," Karr said. "We study things. We have programs, we travel and we do research." Previous themes have ranged from Russian history to Native American culture, art and music to national parks. One year, the group studied the wives of U.S. presidents. Another, they researched America's national forests. This year, their focus is on female author including Louisa May Alcott, Emily Dickinson and Maya Angelou. Presentations hosted by the organization often include historical context, critical analysis and creative flourishes. Members have dressed in costume, created visual displays and even written skits. Karr shared an anecdote about how one time a member built a Monopoly board to accompany a program about the game's female inventor. "She brought in a full board with the properties renamed for us after local businesses and landmarks, and we actually played a bit," Karr recalled, smiling. "That was one of my most memorable times with the group." Each member takes turns presenting during the year, with a rotating chairperson helping to coordinate. A secretary records the minutes. Guests are allowed only once after that, they must wait for an opening. "We're capped at 20, and people stay for decades," Karr said. "That's why it can take a long time to get in." She joined in 2003, after moving to the area and being invited by a neighbor. "She told me, 'You'll love it,'" Karr said. "And I did." This year, in honor of the 125th anniversary, members are reflecting on the Guild's roots. They've reviewed early minutes handwritten in careful script, read biographies of past members and are planning a small celebration in the fall. "Looking through the archives is humbling," Karr said. "These women were just like us curious, thoughtful and dedicated to learning." The Guild was affiliated with the Ohio Federation of Women's Clubs from 1916 until recent years, and still they continue to embody the Federation's original mission: to promote education, civic engagement and cultural enrichment. "The women who came before us laid the foundation," Karr said. "It's a privilege to carry it forward." As the Guild enters its next chapter, the goal remains the same as it was in 1899: to learn, to grow and to do it together.