The Naval Academy Women's Club was launched in 1930 at the inspiration of Mrs. Charles C. Slayton with the assistance of many equally capable and talented friends.

Prominently involved, among others, were Mrs. Henry M. Robert, Jr., Mrs. Charles L. Austin, Mrs. D.M. Garrison, and Mrs. Guy Clements.

As an accomplished musician of note, Mrs. Slayton in the early depression years had occupied the position of Chairman of Music and later on, Chairman of Fine Arts in the Maryland Federation of Women's Clubs. One of her good friends was Mrs. Whitehurst, then President of the Maryland Federation of Organizational Procedures. Mrs. Robert was a prominent civic leader with a wide circle of friends. She was active in the Peggy Stewart Society and in 1938 was to become President General of the National Society of the DAR. Mrs. Robert's husband was a professor whose father had been author of the well-known and respected "Robert's Rules of Order", and she graciously agreed to write the by-laws of the newly proposed NAWC. These early by-laws are in the Club's archives in the Archives Department at the Nimitz Library. These cultivated and active ladies felt the need, especially in those frugal times, to form a club of Navy wives to insure that the cultural aspects of their lives did not suffer because of their light pocketbooks. The newly formed NAWC met in Mrs. Slayton's spacious drawing room on Duke of Gloucester Street and Mrs. Daniel M. Garrison was elected the first President. Mrs. Garrison was the widow of Captain D. M. Garrison '95 longtime and great administrator of the U.S. Naval Academy Graduates Association, later recognized as the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association. The original group consisted of approximately 25, limited in membership by much the same rules as guide the Club today with slight modifications necessitated by the passing years and continued growth of the Academy. Since two members had participated in operatic productions and Mrs. Slayton had a musical program on WBAL radio, it was natural that the main interest of the member centered on musical productions and choral groups. Shortly after its organization, the Club members were singing and rehearsing in Mrs. Slayton's home. The results were several successful Christmas concerts in Carvel Hall and elsewhere throughout the city and the Academy. The NAWC expanded its musical offerings as time went by, and quite professional performances were well received and publicized in Washington and Baltimore papers as well as locally. Mrs. Slayton presented a complete album with programs and much detailed information about the exceptional activities of this group. This album is also in the Archives Department of the library. The "Newscaster"' which was the brainchild of Mrs. David Rubel when she was President of NAWC in 1961, gives the following interesting account written by Sara Corbin Robert in the October 1961 issue: "...Then the meetings moved to Carvel Hall. A new host in friendly gesture toward town and town relations, gave complimentary use of the ballroom and permitted hostesses to supply their own tea and cookies in return for a depression honorarium of 10 cents per member for cream and sugar, hot water and service of the staff. Even with such concessions, disaster threatened in 1933 and sudden closing of all the banks put what was left of the Club's meager funds beyond reach. Donations were out of the question but Navy spirit and bright ideas triumphed. Enough members paid their dues for a year in advance to keep the Club going for a regular season. By about the tenth birthday, a drama group was formed and became the first women's group to give a performance on the stage at Mahan Hall."

Many famous people have addressed the club: Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke to our Club in March 1937, December 1939, April 1941 and February 1942; Mrs. Harry S. Truman in April 1950; Mrs. D. D. Eisenhower in April 1953, and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson in April 1962 when her husband was Vice President. Ambassadors and/or their wives from Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Poland have addressed the Club. Some other guests were mystery writer Leslie Ford, American Indian Princess Kathretha, and columnists Jeanne Dixon, Bill Gold, Mary Hayworth, Ann Landers, Fulton Lewis and Drew Pearson. The NAWC has always attempted to improve the quality of the life of its members through stimulating programs and a variety of activities. At the same time, the Club has also stressed helping throughout the Academy, the surrounding community and service organizations. The club ahas continuously aided in programs offered by the Naval Academy Hospital (now the Naval Academy Clinic), the Naval Academy Chapel, the Navy Relief Society and the American Red Cross. As examples of specific projects: In 1936 the proceeds of a musical evening were donated to the Anne Arundel County Public Library. When Mrs. Roosevelt addressed the Club on "Housing: in 1937, tea was not served so that the normal refreshment payment could be donated to the Red Cross Flood Fund. When World War II broke out, the Club immediately formed a Committee of Defense which expanded so rapidly that it became a separate entity.

Since the 1950's one of the primary projects of the Club has been a Scholarship Award Program. In 1954 the President, Mrs. Clifford Lenz, Proposed that scholarship program be sponsored by the NAWC. The idea was accepted by an overwhelming vote of the membership.

For the program to begin and then to expand, there had to be a way to raise funds to support it. One of the earliest projects was a fashion show presented by Hutzler's which netted $E700. In 1955, Admiral Walter Boone, then Superintendent of the Naval Academy, gave the NAWC permission to sell a booklet, "Your Naval Academy" at the Naval Academy Museum. Later additional books were added, with the proceeds going both to the Museum and the Scholarship Fund. Eventually the booth, which continued to grow, was too big for the Museum. It moved to the Field House and souvenir items were added. It had become a fit shop. On April 1, 1974, the Scholarship Booth was sold to the Naval Academy Athletic Association and the proceeds of the sale were invested in a Scholarship Trust Fund. Since 1974, new sources of funds were needed. For a number of years an art auction was held, but the main source at the present ins an annual Arts and Crafts Show. Admission donations and fees for booth space supplement investment proceeds.

The Club recognizes and offers thanks to the dedicated and conscientious women who have given so much of themselves over the years. The NAWC looks forward to new ways to serve the interests and needs of its membership, the greater Academy family and our community. The Club consists of some 335 members and is governed by an elected Board.