The Twentieth Century Club and The Bright Blue Awning

Submitted by Kimberly Elliot

Sitting at the intersection of Arlington and 1st Street in downtown Reno, the bright blue awning catches a driver’s attention. Emblazoned in white with Twentieth Century Building one wonders about the name—isn’t this the 21st century? Then, the light changes and you are on your way.

The Twentieth Century Club (TCC) building at 335 West First Street was erected in 1925 by Roush and Belz to serve Reno’s first women’s club. Part of a national movement, the Twentieth Century Club was organized in Reno in 1894: Open to all women of good repute, the Club’s membership roster read like a “who’s who” of Reno’s most prominent women.

The TCC’s club house was part of early Reno’s social and cultural fabric—as a venue for performances and social events. In a time before Artown, the TCC booked international orchestras, dance troupes and renown speakers to come to Reno to perform for the community

These women of the TCC were not just providing social activities for the burgeoning community. They championed education projects from Nevada’s first kindergartens and established scholarships for women to pursue nursing to supporting the establishment of juvenile courts and a probation officer for better care of neglected and delinquent children.

These efforts bear the hallmarks of their transformative philanthropy.

Today, the Club has retained their founders’ vision—that an organization’s worth is found in its ability to embrace opportunities for service—by identifying community needs and working to find solutions.

In October, the Club will be hosting the Northern Nevada Women & Philanthropy Forum—a day-long platform to discuss current trends in giving, the wealth transfer that women are leading, and philanthropy in the digital age. 

Visit: https://twentiethcenturyclub.org/about-the-forum

About the Twentieth Century Club

The Twentieth Century Club (TCC) connects generations of northern Nevada women making a difference in our communities through philanthropy. The TCC produces women’s networking events exploring societal and philanthropic issues. Its membership represents a variety of ages and life stories providing for impactful group giving—it is the difference that women make together. Chartered in in 1894, the TCC’s name was chosen to reflect a look to the future. TCC is funded by memberships, sponsorships, and program revenues. It is registered with the Nevada Secretary of State as a domestic non-profit corporation and is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)7.