Treble Clef and Book Lover's Club was established in 1908 by Mrs. Mary Simpson in Richmond, Virginia. Formed in the same year as the first African American sorority(Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.), the club predates nearly all of the cultural organizations in the country and is the oldest for African American women in Virginia. It is also the oldest book club of African American women in the United State
s. The club's founding members were Mrs. Ellen Russell, Mrs. Emma Roper, Mrs. Blanche Burke, and Mrs. Lucille Barco. Treble Clef and Book Lovers' Club celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2008. More information can be obtained by reading: Treble Clef and Book Lovers' Club: A Pictorial History, 1904-2004: The History of a Woman's Club. By Dorothy N. Cowling. Mrs. Simpson was the wife of Dr. Joshua B. Simpson, a Latin Professor at Virginia Union University (VUU),[3][4][5] one of 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in America. A native of New England, Mrs. Simpson lived in Washington, D.C. where she enjoyed an enriched cultural and social life, including membership of the Treble Clef Book and Music Lovers' Club. After she relocated to Richmond, Mrs. Simpson wanted to replicate her cultural experience in DC and formed a similar club. Initially, the members were married ladies whose husbands were the faculty of VUU. Today, the Treble Clef and Book Lovers’ Club is composed of single and married women who hold prominent positions in education, business and health. Many are professional musicians and published authors. Motto:
"Had I two coins, with one I would buy bread,with the other hyacinths, for hyacinths would feed my soul." -Persian Proverb
