
Our Archives
Explore the history, voices, and traditions of the Woman’s Club of El Paso — over 130 years in the making.
Interviews & Oral Histories
Lillian Crouch — Past President
Lillian Crouch served as WCOEP President 2007–2008. In this recorded StoryCorps interview, she reflects on her memories of the club and its legacy in El Paso.
Jody Koty — Outgoing President
Hear from outgoing President Jody Koty in this introduction to the Woman’s Club of El Paso — who we are, what we do, and why it matters.
Historical Documents & Photos
A Pictorial History of the Woman’s Club of El Paso
A curated collection of photographs and stories spanning the club’s founding in 1894 through the twentieth century. Images sourced from WCOEP records held at the C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections, University of Texas at El Paso.
Historic Club Calendar
A scanned annual calendar from the club’s early years — coming soon.
Club Documentary
A video documentary about the history and legacy of the Woman’s Club of El Paso — coming soon.
Cookbooks & Recipes
The Woman’s Club has a proud culinary tradition dating to 1916, when our first cookbook was compiled by Mrs. D.W. Fennessey and sold at the International Soil Products Exposition in El Paso. Over the decades, members have continued sharing beloved recipes — from Gift Shop Cake Recipes in the 1920s to the 2004 Fall Festival Cookbook. The recipes below are drawn from our Centennial Cookbook collection.
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Sherry Bonart’s Southwestern Potage Parmentier
A sophisticated take on classic potato-leek soup, born on a cold evening in the Bonart kitchen. Green chiles, European butter, and a finish of sautéed shitake mushrooms elevate this into something truly special.
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Maxon’s Green Chile Chowder
A close cousin to Jaxon’s, this green chile chowder from Gloria Perry George builds its rich, thick base through a careful roux and a blend of roasted chiles, potatoes, and milk. Topped with shredded cheddar.
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Sara Long’s Autumn Squash Soup
A warming, aromatic soup made with butternut squash, pumpkin purée, honey, and a touch of curry and cinnamon. Finished with heavy cream and topped with toasted pepitas for crunch.
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Patricia Pierson’s Baked Potato Soup
All the indulgence of a loaded baked potato in a smooth, velvety soup. Puréed baked potatoes, chicken broth, and cream are topped with crumbled bacon, cheese, and chives.
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Suzie Matsler’s Creamed Chile Chicken Soup
Silky, comforting, and quick to prepare. Green chile and chicken come together in a cream-based soup served with grated cheese and tortilla chips on top. A true El Paso pantry staple.
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Marguerite Sanderson’s Hearty Vegetable Soup
A light, wholesome, and generously sized soup built on a simple base of vegetables, lima beans, and corn. Makes 12–14 servings — perfect for feeding a gathering.
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Jaxon’s Green Chile Chowder
Originally sourced from the El Paso Times and featured in the 2004 Fall Festival Cookbook, this beloved green chile chowder has been a Woman’s Club staple for decades. Rich, creamy, and unmistakably El Paso.
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Suzie Matsler’s Kartoffelsouppe
A traditional German potato soup with a secret ingredient — lard — that gives it an unmistakable depth of flavor. Bacon, marjoram, and a careful roux round out this old-world classic.
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Barbara Brown’s Northwest Corn Chowder
A creamy, elegant chowder that pairs sweet fresh corn with smoked salmon for an unexpected and delightful combination. Simple to make and sophisticated enough for company.
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Ann Richardson’s Pasta Fagioli
A rich, Italian-inspired favorite made at home. Ground beef, Italian sausage, vegetables, and beans simmer in a chunky pasta sauce with al dente macaroni stirred in just before serving.
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Grace Mitchell’s Santa Fe Chile
A colorful, crowd-pleasing slow cooker chile packed with four kinds of beans, corn, and taco seasoning. Serve with cornbread and guacamole salad for a complete Southwest feast.
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Jean Kochevar’s Simplified Meatball Soup
Proof that a great soup doesn’t have to be complicated. Frozen meatballs, Rotel, beef bouillon, and a pinch of cumin come together in minutes for a satisfying weeknight meal.
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Ann Richardson’s Southwestern Chicken & Vegetable Soup
A deeply flavored, slow-built soup that starts with homemade chicken stock and layers in green chiles, black beans, corn, and spices. A showstopper that’s worth every step.
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Shirley Lindsey’s Tortilla Soup
A bold, Southwestern-style soup brimming with tender chicken, long green chilies, and stewed tomatoes. Ladled over tortilla strips and topped with green onion, grated cheese, and sliced avocado.
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Pam Round’s Vegetable Beef Soup
A hearty, warming classic that was served at a Club luncheon on a cold February day in 2016, accompanied by cornbread muffins. Simple ingredients come together in a satisfying, soupy bowl perfect for a crowd.
Newsletters
Stay connected with our history and current happenings through past issues of The Spotlight, the official newsletter of the Woman’s Club of El Paso.
Have materials to contribute?
If you have photographs, documents, or memories you’d like to share with the archives, we’d love to hear from you.
