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The Pioneer Club was a progressive women's club founded in Regent Street, London, in 1892 by the social worker and temperance activist Emily Massingberd. "It was strongly associated with the ' higher thought' and such associated issues of the 'New Morality' of the late nineteenth century as 
It had three drawing rooms, four bedrooms and a library. Meals were supplied to members and their guests. Lectures, debates and discussion were held on Thursday evenings on social political and literary themes.Mark Clement, ‘Massingberd, Emily Caroline Langton (1847–1897)’, ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 2004
Professional and other working women, typists, dressmakers and milliners joined. Members were called by number to underline the unimportance of social position. "''99'' might be a Duchess or a Post Office clerk." "On Wednesdays ''At Homes'' were given to which men were invited."
It is reported the feminist character of the club was diluted after the early death of the founder in January 1897.
In 1897, the club was due to move to 15 Grosvenor Crescent, but there was a split in membership after Massingberd's death, and many remained at the old location. The new location became the Grosvenor Crescent Club, which by 1900 was describing itself as "purely social".
theosophy
Theosophy is a religious movement established in the United States in the late 19th century. Founded primarily by the Russian Helena Blavatsky and based largely on her writings, it draws heavily from both older European philosophies such as Neop ...
, anti-vivisection, anti-vaccination and above all feminism
Feminism is a range of socio-political movements and ideology, ideologies that aim to define and establish the political, economic, personal, and social gender equality, equality of the sexes. Feminism holds the position that modern soci ...
."
The club was named after Walt Whitman
Walter Whitman Jr. (; May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892) was an American poet, essayist, and journalist; he also wrote two novels. He is considered one of the most influential poets in American literature and world literature. Whitman incor ...
's poem ' Pioneers! O Pioneers!', lines from which were inscribed on a glass screen in the building's hall:
One of the most popular of the Women's Clubs established in London in the late 19th century by 1895 membership exceeded 300. It began in Regent Street but soon moved to 22 Cork Street. Its permanent site was at 22We the route for travel clearing Pioneers, O Pioneers! All the hands of comrades clasping Pioneers, O Pioneers!
Bruton Street
Bruton Street is a street in London's Mayfair district. Queen Elizabeth II was born there, and the fashion designer Norman Hartnell lived there for 44 years.
It runs from Berkeley Square in the south-west to New Bond Street in the north-east, w ...
, Berkeley Square, previously the residence of Lord Hastings.
It had three drawing rooms, four bedrooms and a library. Meals were supplied to members and their guests. Lectures, debates and discussion were held on Thursday evenings on social political and literary themes.Mark Clement, ‘Massingberd, Emily Caroline Langton (1847–1897)’, ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 2004
Professional and other working women, typists, dressmakers and milliners joined. Members were called by number to underline the unimportance of social position. "''99'' might be a Duchess or a Post Office clerk." "On Wednesdays ''At Homes'' were given to which men were invited."
It is reported the feminist character of the club was diluted after the early death of the founder in January 1897.
In 1897, the club was due to move to 15 Grosvenor Crescent, but there was a split in membership after Massingberd's death, and many remained at the old location. The new location became the Grosvenor Crescent Club, which by 1900 was describing itself as "purely social".
References
{{reflist Organizations established in 1892 Women's organisations based in England Clubs and societies in London Anti-vaccination organizations 1892 establishments in England Women's clubs Women in London