For 100 years only men were members of the Wareham Community Associates, now women lead the organization.

On Dec. 18, the Associates elected Wareham resident and member Apryl Rossi to president of the organization which raises money to provide college scholarships to students.

Rossi was joined by Jilian Morton as vice president, who, in 2022, became the organization’s first female member.

Founded in 1922, the Community Associates Organization was originally all male, with members—typically local businessmen—meeting monthly at a church to raise funds in support of Wareham organizations and engage in philanthropic activities.

Beginning in the 1960’s the Associates hosted an annual clambake to raise money for college scholarships for Wareham students. The tradition persisted until 2024 when the event transitioned to a golf competition, organized by Rossi.

“It's really cool to see the evolution in such a short period of time of an organization that was male dominated to now accepting women, changing the bylaws to modernize the organization and now the leadership is female,” Rossi said.

Rossi said membership spans generations with many current members having grandfathers and great-grandfathers who were also part of the associates.

Rossi discovered the organization when her son applied and was awarded a scholarship.

“I thought it was a great opportunity to give back after [my son] had graduated,” Rossi said.

The number of scholarships the organization awards varies but Rossi said typically five students receive between $500 and $1,000 each from the Associates. Rossi said she hopes to increase those numbers now that the organization has a 501c3 nonprofit designation thanks to Morton.

“[Morton] helped get the 501c3 which will help with soliciting donations,” Rossi said. “Our community has always supported the organization but from a business perspective, for some of the bigger companies in town, having that status makes it a lot easier for us to raise funds,”

As president, Rossi said she would like to increase the organization's digital footprint. She’s already created a Facebook page for the Associates and wants to spotlight scholarship recipients and share the “rich history” of the organization.

“I’d like to make sure that people know about us. It is a small organization but it's a worthwhile one,” Rossi said.