“To the Stars Through Difficulties”: Cheyenne’s Searchlight Club

By Guest Author Elisabeth DeGrenie

In the midst of racial violence at the turn of the 20th century, ten women in Cheyenne, Wyoming, sought to form a group to uplift their community. On December 4, 1904, these women formed the Searchlight Club, which would eventually become Cheyenne’s oldest African American women’s organization. Driven by the motto “To the Stars Through Difficulties,” the club had, for over 80 years, encouraged ongoing education, supported the Black community, and engaged in local philanthropy.

Early Influential Members

The club’s first members were influential women in Cheyenne’s Black community, and many of the founders would rotate serving as the Club’s president. Some notable members were DeMargie Tolliver, the first Black child born in Wyoming, and Hudie Crutchford, who was heavily involved with the Second Baptist Church (her husband, Phillip, was the minister).

Perhaps most involved in Cheyenne and Wyoming’s African American organizations was Ollie Redd, whose sister, Mary Baker, was also a founding member. To name a few, Redd served as the President of the Searchlight Club, Director of the Community Chest of the City of Cheyenne, Welfare Agent for the Red Cross, Vice President of the Northwestern Federation of Colored Women, Director of the Colored Girls Reserve, and, in 1933, as the local NAACP President.

Above: DeMargie Tolliver. One of the Searchlight Club’s founders. Courtesy Wyoming State Archives.

Membership and Cultural Studies

The Searchlight Club capped membership at twenty women, and it could include multiple generations of women from the same family. Members met twice monthly, rotating to each other’s homes, and engaged in cultural, social, and philanthropic conversations. The club noted its objectives as “the promotion of the literary and social advantages of the members; helping those of the black race, both morally and charitably, and for mutual helpfulness and promotion of higher social and moral conditions.”

Some topics they studied were Italy’s history and Shakespeare; others were lectures such as “Music; Its Use in Churches, Homes, School, and on Public Occasions”, “Are we as a people less devoted to singing than the Europeans,” and “Heredity vs. Environment.” They also included musical and theatrical performances in their meetings and within the community.

When they hosted larger events, they used the local African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church or Second Baptist Church as locations. Including in 1925, when the Club hosted the Northwestern Federation of Colored Women. Cheyenne expected between 400 and 500 influential African Americans from across the country to attend.

The Wyoming State Tribune reported that notable Black women would be in attendance, including Hallie Q. Brown (educator and activist), Margaret Murray Washington (Booker T. Washington’s wife & President of the future Tuskegee University), and Mary McLeod Bethune (a civil rights activist for Black women). One influential Black Cheyennite, Johnny Baker, noted, “‘This will be the largest thing colored people have ever had in Wyoming and in the greater part of the northwest.’”

Community Impact

From their inception, the Searchlight Club’s charitable reach in Cheyenne was vast. They created and fundraised for scholarships for local Black students, supported causes in Cheyenne, and responded to National events. For example, when the Tulsa Race Riots devastated the Black community in Oklahoma in 1921, the Searchlight Club mobilized Cheyenne citizens for a clothing drive.

Their local philanthropic impacts in Cheyenne included healthcare initiatives, supporting children, contributing to the Red Cross, Cheyenne’s Community Chest, various tuberculosis funds, and assisting community members whose family had passed.

One of their most beloved traditions was their annual “Southern Dinner.” Since many early members were born in the South, these gatherings became a popular fixture in Cheyenne, blending cultural heritage with fundraising to support their activities.

The Searchlight Club supported many philanthropic initiatives in Cheyenne over its 80-years in action. The Wyoming Eagle, 30 Nov. 1950, p. 7.

The End of the Searchlight

By the 1960s, under the leadership of President Sudie Smith Rhone (mother of legislator Harriet Elizabeth Byrd), the club continued to support philanthropic efforts in Cheyenne. However, by the 1980s, the club eventually ceased operations. It still remains the oldest and longest-running African American women’s organization in Cheyenne.

Note to Readers: Research into the Searchlight Club and African American history in Cheyenne is ongoing. If you have additional information, documents, or photos, please contact Elisabeth DeGrenier at Elisabeth.DeGrenier@wyo.gov or 307-275-4018.

The ten original founders were Clara G. Ashford, Mary R. Baker, Carrie J. Smith, DeMarge Tolliver, Ollie R. Redd, Lula Jefferson, Hattie A. Gaskins, Helen Stacker, Hudie Crutchfield, and Lena Ward. “Searchlight Club Formed in 1904 by Pioneer Women.” Wyoming State Tribune, 21 April 1969, p. 2.
For Ollie Redd’s full list of organizations by 1925 see, “Mrs. Ollie Redd is Given Endorsement.” Wyoming State Tribune, 04 May 1925, p. 8.
Bell, Ann. “Interview with Ann Bell.” Interview by Elisabeth DeGrenier. 11 Oct. 2022. Wyoming State Archives
“Searchlight Club Marks Its 66th Anniversary.” The Wyoming Eagle, 25 Dec. 1970, p. 12.
“Entertains Searchlight Club.” Wyoming Tribune, 11 Dec. 1905, p.5; “Discuss Shakespeare.” Wyoming Tribune, 07 Jan. 1905, p. 5; “Searchlight Club Meets.” Wyoming Tribune, 06 Feb. 1906, p. 6longest-running; Wyoming Tribune, 17 Mar. 1906, p. 2; “Home Talent Play by Searchlight Club.” Wyoming State Tribune, 04 Feb. 1919, p. 7.
“Negroes Will Convene Here.” Wyoming State Tribune, 17 April 1925, p. 10
“Searchlight Club Hears Tulsa Riot Victims Need Help.” Wyoming State Tribune, 27 Sept. 1921, p. 6; Wyoming State Tribune, 28 Sept. 1921, p. 6.
“Colored Women Plan Show for Hospital Benefit.” The Wyoming Eagle, 23 Nov. 1946, p. 22; “Searchlight Club Formed.” p. 22; “Searchlight Club has Anniversary.” The Wyoming Eagle, 05 Dec. 1951, p. 7; “Searchlight Club Gives Scholarships.” The Wyoming Eagle, 22 Oct. 1959, p. 21; “Searchlight Club Pays Tribute to Pearl Whitt.” Wyoming State Tribune, 18 Mar. 1969, p. 2.
“Searchlight Club Holds Annual Dinner.” Cheyenne State Leader, 20 Oct. 1916, p. 8.

Cover Photo: The Redd Family, c. 1920. Ollie Redd was heavily involved in African American organizations in Cheyenne and Wyoming. Courtesy Wyoming State Archives.