Mrs. Esther D. Bilsland served as the Secretary of the Satsop Townsend Club for many years. There is correspondence to and from her in the collection. She was given a letter of appreciation and a gift from the club. Many Townsend Clubs were started throughout the Country during this time. Dissatisfied with the government's response to the Great Depression, about five million people joined Townsend Clubs to support the Townsend Plan of Dr. Francis E. Townsend to demand a monthly pension of 200 dollars for everyone over the age of 60. Satsop, WA was one of the cities that formed a club called the Satsop Townsend Club. Many of the clubs, including the Satsop club, lobbied very hard through correspondence and attending annual conventions to pass the Townsend Plan. Dr. Townsend's proposal influenced the establishment of the Roosevelt administration's Social Security system.
From the description of Satsop Townsend Club records, 1939-1940. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 165290302
