The Aurora Reading Club was founded in November 1894 by Rachel Jones to engage in mutual improvement for African-American women. The charter members were Rachel Jones, Frances Golden, Hannah Grinage Lovett, Virginia Woodson Proctor, Anna Posey, and Cora V. Hill Washington. The club aimed to improve its members in various fields, and its motto was "Lifting as we climb." The club met in member's houses and discussed authors, books, music, current events, poetry, and nature. Later, The club expanded its interest to include history, women's organizations, health issues, race relations, and religion.

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The Aurora Reading Club has been in existence for 125 years. Its purpose and program remain vibrantly the same. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month and hosted by a member for lunch. Now, a restaurant is the setting for the luncheon meeting. Additionally, there are a few Saturday meetings to augment the regular schedule. Aurora is a club of very busy employed and retired women with heavy personal and community commitments. Thus, the monthly agenda is arranged to accommodate their needs. As noted earlier, the program components of meetings remain timely, and members continue to share their expertise, although not as a requirement. Celebrating each fifth anniversary with friends is a long tradition in Aurora. Although the number of planned public meetings has decreased, there has been an increase in the number of planned club projects to provide visibility to the community.

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Purpose

Its object shall be to pursue a systematic course of study in a manner to be decided by a majority of the membership. It shall be for the mutual improvement of the membership in literature, art, science, and matters relating to the vital interests of the day.