In his essay-type book on Greenbelt, Otis Kline Fulmer describes Greenbelt four years after its inception. In one section, he focuses on the civic organizations of the town and states, "It is doubtful that any community in America has a more intensive civic life [than Greenbelt]" (26). Why had so many civic activities and organizations started in such a small town in a mere four year period? Fulmer gives several answers to this question. He cites Greenbelt's substantial amount of space and excellent facilities in the community building. Joanna Lin describes the Community Center's integral part in Greenbelt's history in her project. Fulmer also points out the fact that dwelling units have been planned as a part of the structure of the entire community, which in turn fosters pride in the surrounding areas and a cooperative interest in the welfare of the whole community (26). Fulmer further points out that "none of Greenbelt's organizations or clubs have been sponsored by the management...leadership and interest have sprung entirely from the citizens themselves" (27).
Fulmer, the associate architect on the planning staff for Greenbelt and Greenbelt's first Assistant Resident Manager, makes some excellent points. The citizens of this ready-made "green town" had an overwhelming sense of pride and community that spread like wildfire among its original inhabitants. April Hall discusses Greenbelt's remarkable sense of community in great detail in her project. Incidentally, it was more than coincidence that such organizationally-minded folks were put together as Greenbelt's first residents. When families were interviewed for acceptance into the Greenbelt community, the interviewer would note the extent of the family members' participation in organizations in the past and their hobbies and talents (Knepper, 25). This noting of such things was not in vain. Greenbelt was rampant with organizations, establishing thirty-five in its first year, and participation did not slack off after that first year, as Fulmer noted.
So what does all of this mean? Yes, Greenbelt was a civic-minded town and was very active, but who fit where? Did men run the organizations? They ran some, but a considerable amount were run by Greenbelt's women. Women played a crucial role in the organizations of Greenbelt, shown in part by the sheer number of clubs for women and of women participants. Women's organizations did not exist merely for women to have something to do; they served the community as well. Two of the most influential women's clubs Greenbelt boasted were the Better Buyers and the Woman's Club. The Better Buyers Club was founded by Miss Ollie E. Hoffman who was also extremely influential in founding the co-ops in Greenbelt (Warner, 84). The Woman's Club was the most exclusive club in Greenbelt. It was the only organization in which one became a member by invitation only (Form, 607). Greenbelt also had a plethora of other various clubs and still does today.
What did these clubs mean for women? At a time when women were seen mainly as homemakers, the women's organizations of Greenbelt gave women a sense of pride and civic responsibility that could not be satisfied in taking care of a home and family. Many believed that by participating in clubs, people, especially women, had a higher morale. This claim is supported by the countless newspaper headlines that can still be read today like, "Visitors remark on Greenbelt's 'Utopian Happiness'" and "Citizens of Greenbelt Beam with Pride over Town's Anniversary."
For some women, these clubs were just a jumping-off point for further involvement in the town. Ruth Taylor, a former president of the Better Buyers Club, was the winner of a seat on Town Council in a run-off election in 1938. Not only was she the first woman council member in Greenbelt, but she was also the first woman elected to any governing body in Prince George's County (Warner, 89). Despite such a liberal move by the town as electing a woman to a powerful position, the women of Greenbelt were still plagued by silly ordinances like no hanging the wash after four o'clock p.m. or on Sundays and no wearing shorts in the town center (Looking Back, 87). These rules sent definite messages out to the women of Greenbelt about their perceived positions in the society. Nonetheless, women still found Greenbelt's social life to be wonderful, mainly through their participation in clubs.
World War II had a huge impact on the women's organizations. Many women found themselves home alone with small children, and soon they had to take their husband's place as the breadwinner. Clubs like the Navy Wives Club, the Housewives Club, and the Working Mothers Club started to help women get along without their husbands. Ruth Bowman remembered, "My husband had to go overseas [and] I found out that many of my neighbors were single mothers with children. We had a wonderful time together. We helped each other out...so it worked out very well and we each had a social life within our own group" (Knepper, 81). The clubs also allowed women to take part in the war effort without actually serving. Most of the women's organizations utilized their talents to bake, sew, and raise money for the soldiers and veterans. The Woman's Club was most influential, helping the Red Cross whenever they could. "We supported our men in service and stuck together to help those families who were left without a man in the home," remembers Patricia Dunn Gray, a former Greenbelter (Knepper, 81).
Greenbelt was and still is a unique suburb. Although it has some of the characteristics that are typical of suburbia, such as exclusion, it has an incredible sense of community that is difficult to find these days, and was even quite unique fifty years ago. Greenbelt's women were pillars of strength that supported the community especially in potentially difficult times. Through their organizations, the women of Greenbelt provided a social and civic structure that the town could not have lived without. At the same time, the organizations gave women identities and responsibilities that extended beyond the home. Women were, and still are, proud and successful in their organizational endeavors in Greenbelt, which is something that should not go unnoticed. Barely anyone thought Greenbelt would survive, but due largely to the strength of its women, men, and children, Greenbelt proved its critics wrong.