Women's History Month 2023

Many women have helped pave the way for us to thrive today. Please take a moment to help us celebrate the woman who had gifted leadership abilities and helped shape the community of Bellingham for women.

Francis Payne Larrabee was a influential clubwoman of Bellingham. She was a compelling example of someone committed to progressive social changes and gender equality. While men oversaw building the political backgrounds of Fairhaven in the early 1900s, the women were in charge of enriching culture. Francis was the main driving force in getting the YWCA Bellingham built in 1915 and was in multiple clubs that allowed her to put voices of women into action. Although her husband was very wealthy, Francis made it a point to carve out her own spot for the history books by strengthening her community.