PWC played part in state history

Patricia Cooper

As the Portales Woman's Club celebrates its 100th anniversary today, it will look back at the many different club members over the years that contributed to the club's rich history, particularly the former members who played a part in New Mexico history.

Many members of PWC were also members of the Ellen W. Jones Chapter of United Daughters of the Confederacy, a group of women involved in southern ancestry and history. The local chapterof UDC wrote the New Mexico flag salute, according to Portales Woman's Club member and former president Jane Hilliard.

Hilliard, who also was former president of the UDC, said the group worked a number of years to have the salute officially approved by the Legislature and the governor.

"It is a facinating story and portrays a chapter in New Mexico history which originates with a group of women in Portales who exhibited patriotism, intelligence, persistence, wisdom, determination and inspiration," Hilliard said.