Colony Club

The Colony Club, founded in 1903, holds the distinction of being the first social club in New York City established exclusively by and for women. Its origins trace back to a time when elite men enjoyed private, well-appointed clubhouses, while women lacked a comparable space of their own. A pivotal moment for the club occurred when socialite Florence Jaffray Harriman was refused a room at the Waldorf Astoria, highlighting the need for a dedicated, independent venue for women of status to gather.