Abstract The Pioneers held their first meeting on January 24, 1879, when Rosa Sonneschein, wife of Rabbi Solomon H. Sonneschein, brought together 14 of her women friends for the purpose of "advancing literary taste and cultivating general knowledge." In its early years, the club was called the "Ladies' Pioneer Society," although no evidence has been found to indicate why the name Pioneers was chosen. Membership in the club is by invitation only, and new members are voted on by the group. Initially...