The Lansing Association of Women’s Clubs (LAWC) became a reality through the efforts of Dr. Rose T. Brunson, Mrs. Getrude Lee and Mrs. Ina B. Majors. A community survey conducted by these women in the early forties established the need for a nursery in the city of Lansing.
These courageous women, all members of the United Mother’s Club sought means to finance and house the nursery project through the Landon Fund, a financial aid plan of World War II. However, the war ended, and the funds were discontinued. Subsequently, Dr. Brunson approached the late R. E. Olds while Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Majors, Mrs. Hazel Robinson and others canvassed the city for individuals and organizations.
Mr. Olds made a contribution of three or four thousand dollars for a down payment and reconditioning of a house with a store annex at the corner of Logan and Williams Streets. The purchase contract became a reality in January 1945.
A mass membership drive was climaxed at Hillsdale (now Union) Baptist Church in July 1945. Mr. Olds stated that he had given a clubhouse to the white women of Lansing and was now contributing to a clubhouse for minority women. The clubhouse was designated for all minority women of the city and to be used for projects approved by the officers and the Board of Directors with a stipulation that the clubhouse could not be sold and would revert back to the State of Michigan is used for anything other than a clubhouse.
In 1969, Oldsmobile purchased the clubhouse for expansion, and the present location at 301 N. Butler was purchased. During its 39th year, the clubhouse was designated as a historical site (the Ulysses D. Ward House) and was listed on the State Register of Historic Places by the Michigan Historical Commission.