The Enduring Impact of the May Court Club in Windsor
Located at 1122 Wyandotte Street, the May Court Club thrift shop is a familiar spot in Windsor. However, many residents who have visited or simply walked past the store may not be aware of the rich history behind the building. Founded In 1898 by Lady Aberdeen, the wife of the governor general, the May Court Club began in Ottawa. Established on May Day, the organization takes its name from this tradition. It is not surprising that today, it stands as Canada’s oldest women’s service organization. Its long-standing presence has helped it build a, “highly respected history and profile,” says Martha Robinson, Director of Special Events for the Windsor branch. She is pleased to say that when she made the decision to join the May Court Club about 12 years ago, it gave her a new purpose and in doing so, she has never looked back.
The May Court Club of Windsor was officially founded in 1934 with similar clubs emerging across Ontario. According to Club historian Linda Monforton, the organization’s goal has always been to serve the community through meaningful welfare initiatives. Over the years, the club has supported a variety of programs including the thrift shop (which continues to thrive today), a day nursery, a prenatal clinic and a food program for undernourished children.
While the focus of the Windsor branch has evolved over time, its core value of “service to others” remains unchanged. The club takes pride in its long-standing reputation and contributions to the community, including purchasing the first building for the Children’s Aid Society in Windsor. In 2026 alone, 17 local organizations supporting children and youth received a combined $140,000 in funding.
A significant portion of the funds raised for these initiatives comes from the thrift shop. The club has approximately 130 members, with around 70 active volunteers in the thrift shop. Because the organization owns its building, operates as a registered charity, and relies entirely on donated goods, it can keep the prices affordable. Martha shares that the shop continues to thrive, thanks in part to efforts to adapt to changing times- welcoming younger volunteers, refreshing the store space, keeping it very clean, and introducing new ideas. The team is always seeking gently used clothing and household items, as well as new volunteers and customers.
May Court is well known for hosting a variety of successful fundraisers within the community. Over the past few years, they have organized Walkerville Garden and Christmas Tours, Art Sale and Auction “Ya Gotta Have Art” and the popular Book Lovers Luncheon which showcases three local authors reading from their books. This year it will be held on October 18. They also run smaller events throughout the year, including trivia nights, vintage sales, bake sales, silver sales, and Christmas in July.
Earlier this year, Martha introduced a new event concept. She thought it would be fun to host a fashion show with the theme “Girl’s Night Out.” She formed a committee to bring the idea to life, showcasing the club’s ongoing creativity and commitment to engaging the community in fresh and exciting ways. Together, the team imagined what would make the perfect night out and decided on the name “Sequins and Sparkles Soiree,” capturing the spirit of the event.
From there they brainstormed a wide range of ideas that guests would enjoy on their night out. The list included sparkling wine, food, live music, tarot card readings, personal poetry writing, hand massages, makeup demonstrations, raffle and door prizes, and wine and chocolate tastings. Guests also received swag bags to take home, and of course, the evening featured a May Court fashion show. All these elements were included in the ticket price, making it a fully inclusive experience.
For the fashion show, the committee selected pieces from the thrift shop, with May Court members modeling the outfits. Both the clothing and jewellery displayed during the event were available for purchase that evening. This was a well-received event, and they look forward to hosting more May Court Fashion shows in the future.
The event welcomed many guests and Martha and her committee were delighted to see many guests embracing the theme by dressing in sequins and sparkles. The event was held at Sho Art Studios in Windsor, a venue the team appreciated for its strong support of the May Court Club.
Robinson is a proud and dedicated member of the May Court Club. She shares that she has always valued volunteerism and raised her children with the belief in giving back to the community. She speaks passionately about the club’s impact, sharing heartfelt stories of how it has supported individuals in Windsor. When discussing events like the Sequins and Sparkles Soiree, her pride is evident. With members like Martha, the May Court Club continues to thrive and make a meaningful difference in the Windsor community.
