The Woman’s Literary Club of Holland
Established 1898
About the Club
In 1894, 19 women in Holland seeking higher education formed the Bay View Reading Circle, studying a correspondence curriculum “for intellectual growth and cultural advancement.”
Upon completion of their studies, in 1898, Anna Coatsworth Post, along with twenty-six other women, established the Woman’s Literary Club, one of the longest-running associations in Holland, Michigan.
More than 127 years later, the Woman’s Literary Club continues to recognize the importance of contributing to a strong Holland community that supports continuous learning and community outreach.
Join Our Upcoming Events
January 20, 2026 at 1:00pm
Hope Church – 77 W 11th St, Holland, MI 49423
Members and Guests Welcome
Deborah Noe Schakel – Local historian and Woman’s Literary Club Member
Waukazoo, Marigold Lodge and Mary Jayne Gold
Member Deborah Schakel tells of the development of Marigold Lodge on Lake Macatawa at the turn of the 20th century in what is now the Waukazoo neighborhood, located on the North Side of Holland.
Marigold Lodge, the summer home of the Gold family from Chicago, was named after wife Margaret and daughter Mary Jayne. Learn the remarkable story about the heroic efforts of Mary Jayne Gold, a member of the Emergency Rescue Committee in 1940 Marseilles, France, to save countless people during the Nazi occupation of France.
To read more about Marigold Lodge, and Mary Jayne Gold, click on the links below.
February 17, 2026 at 1:00pm
Hope Church – 77 W 11th St, Holland, MI 49423
Members and Guests Welcome
Charles Elwood – Presenter
Silent Partner-Artificial Intelligence
ArtPrize artist, TEDx speaker, and founder of SoliosMatica, Charles Elwood will focus on the things only humans can do when we partner with the use of AI.
Click on the links to read about Charles Elwood the artist, watch his TEDx Talk, and learn more about technology in Michigan.
March 17, 2026 at 1:00pm
Hope Church – 77 W 11th St, Holland, MI 49423
Members and Guests Welcome
Aimee Chipman: Local Entrepreneur and Business Owner
Bluestocking Bookshop Blueprint
“In the tradition of the original bluestockings, this is how we are taking things from Salons to social media in the book world,” says Aimee Chipman, owner of the Bluestocking Bookshop, in Holland MI. Aimee will chat about her bookshop adventure and describe the shift in how authors and the publishing industry connect with readers. Look up the definition for ‘bluestocking’ and you will find the meaning for every woman in Woman’s Literary Club.
Learn more about Bluestocking Bookshop, located at 12330 James St. Holland, MI 49424
Our Community Outreach
In collaboration with other community organizations, the Woman’s Literary Club has initiated several community beautification projects in the Holland area.
We are proud to donate annually to community non-profits from Club Funds and from our Community Foundation Holland/Zeeland Donor Advised Fund.
The Club provides an annual scholarship for local college students and has provided funds for higher education since 1916.
Get Involved With the Club
