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By Katrina Margolis
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Ever since 1970, the Hannah Adams Women’s Club has held a tea for the women of the graduating class of Medfield High School. This year, the tea was held on May 30, with 100 girls in attendance. The club is a non-profit organization whose members take an active role in the community through service. In addition to this tea, which is a nice event for the seniors, the club also raises money throughout the year to award scholarships. Members of the club had the opportunity to meet all the seniors who came through, and the seniors had the chance to dress up, socialize with their friends, and get some beautiful pictures to commemorate their accomplishments.
Hannah Adams lived in Medfield her whole life and was the first female writer in the United States to earn her living from writing. Having received a unique education for a woman, she gathered women of similar backgrounds to her home to read and discuss their reading. “After she died, a bunch of women decided they should continue it on, so they called it the Hannah Adams Reading Club, which progressed into the Hannah Adams Women’s Club, which was 1898, I believe,” member Ginnie Cusack explained.
Charlotte O’Brien, the chairman, continued, “She lived on Elm Street her whole life, I believe. We’ve had a tea at her house! The Sullivans live there now and that was very memorable.” Members of the club used to host the tea, though it is now hosted by the parents of one of the graduating seniors.
“All of the girls came through and we had an opportunity to talk to them,” O’Brien said. “The dignitaries are invited also, so we have the superintendent of schools, various guidance counselors, class advisors for the class of 2017. I think we’re the only ones that do it! It’s kind of nice and the girls like it and they can get all dressed up and really look beautiful.”
