For 100 years, the Wyoming Woman’s Club has been actively participating in civic and village concerns, initiating service projects and fundraising when money was needed. As part of its year long centennial celebration, the club created the “1916 Give Back Campaign”. It was decided that the funds collected be used to place a bronze historical marker near the Doughboy Statue explaining the history of how the Doughboy came to be. This is especially meaningful as the Woman’s Club is responsible for the statue that has stood on the same location for the past 90 years.
The Doughboy Statue’s beginnings came not long after World War I. In 1923, the Wyoming Woman’s Club decided that Wyoming should erect a memorial honoring those who had served in that war. They formed a testimonial committee that included members of the Village Council. Local sculptress Mary I. Alexander was selected to create the statue.
As the club raised the $5,000 needed to commission the work, it was decided that the statue should honor all who served. It shows a young man rolling up his sleeves ready to work without a rifle or the uniform of a traditional doughboy. It is designed to depict the Spirit of American Youth going forth to war in defense of the Nation’s ideals. The Doughboy statue was dedicated on November 11, 1926, the 7th anniversary of Armistice Day. It was unveiled by Mayor Frank Bonham on the lawn of the Wyoming Club (present day Civic Center) where it stands today.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, in honor of the World War I Armistice, the new historical marker was dedicated on the lawn of the Civic Center. Club president Terri Pinkston presented the plaque to Mayor Barry Porter for the community and it was unveiled by Margaret Orendorff – a longtime member of the Wyoming Woman’s Club. The plaque serves not only to commemorate the giving of Americans in World War I, but also a century of giving of Wyoming Woman’s Club.
