The St. Louis Club History

The St. Louis Club of Metropolitan Washington, DC, was founded in January 1966. The club was the brainchild of Edith Bruce Burgess, a former St. Louisan, now deceased, and her cousin Ida Anderson. Edith, Rupert and Irene Curry, and Frances 'Bootsy' Harrell met informally to discuss plans for a Washington, DC club for people from St. Louis.

In March of 1966, six persons attended the first formal meeting of the St. Louis Club. They were Roger and Johnnie Brackeen, Mercedes and Albert Mundy, Frances Harrell, and Edith Burgess. A list was compiled representing St. Louisans in the Metro Area who might be interested in forming a "Welcoming Committee."

(Left to right) Francis Harrell, Edith Burgess, Johnny & Albert Mathis, Congressman Bill and Carol Clay, Mercedes Mundy (1st President) and Albert Mundy.

The "Welcoming Committee" soon grew into an active group of eighteen (18) persons. Officers were elected and the group's membership began expanding. Edith relinquished her organizational position to the first President, T.J. Prince, and became the club's first secretary. Johnnie Brackeen became the first treasurer. Subsequently, Frances "Bootsy" Harrell became Secretary-Treasurer and held the position for eight years.

Edith's and Ida's original idea was to assist newcomers to the Washington, DC area in finding housing, shopping, schools for their children, friends, and in becoming acquainted with the sometime "cold" political climate. The Club still seeks to reach out to transplanted St. Louisans moving into or already living in the Metro Area.

The St. Louis Club also provides financial help and assistance to students from St. Louis entering college in conjunction with the William L. Clay Scholarship and Research Fund.

Past Presidents of the Cub have included: T.J. Prince, Roger Brackeen, Mercedes Mundy, Sylvia Morgan, Charles F. Martin, Peggy Sechrest, Charles F. Parker, Elijah Crawford, Rupert Curry, Anita Byrd and Charles L. Smith.

St. Louis Club general membership meetings are held quarterly. Most membership meetings are scheduled in conjunction with a club activity. The St. Louis Club Executive Board meets monthly to coordinate activities and manage the affairs of the Club.