Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Wendy Ward Charm School Memories

wendy ward charm school advertisementTammy submits her memories of attending Wendy Ward Charm School in Santa Ana...

I grew up in Santa Ana, and one of my fondest memories is of attending the Wendy Ward Charm School which was located in the Montgomery Wards on 17th Street. Every Saturday we trekked upstairs, through the furniture department and spent a couple of hours learning how to paint our nails, walk and sit with good posture and conduct ourselves like ladies. Lots of lights and mirrors, costumes and instructional posters made that space very glamorous to my 10 year old girlie side.

Serena, with the big blond hair and long red-lacquered fingernails was our instructor. The best part was when we got to go downstairs to the girls department and pick out 3 of the prettiest outfits we could find (and matching shoes of course!), which we then modeled during a fashion show on a Saturday afternoon. They had stage risers set up and music playing. I loved it!!

Wendy Ward Charm School was something exclusive to Montgomery Ward's stores, and was offered at many of their locations across the country. The program started in the mid 1960s, and each graduating class would model themselves in a fashion show.

12 comments:

  1. I love hearing about this...I remember my mother attending the Verna Miller School of Charm in Santa Ana in the mid fifties...she used to come home and practice in the living room and pretend that she was in a fashion show! Our family all attended her graduation at the Ebell Club, which was a fashion show with a runway off the stage! I think Charm Schools should be revived...young girls would love it today...

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  2. My sister went to the charm school in Buffums Dept Store on Main St. in Santa Ana. I went to magic class at the same time. I was 7 and she was 6. They did a fashion show at graduation and during the fashion show, us 3 boys provided entertainment, a Magic Show.

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  3. In the sixties, I was the Wendy Ward Charm School Director in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was such fun! We had classes in all phases of self-improvement and modeling. Then we put on Fashion Shows in the store. Today...all these years later...I still run into some of my students and they tell me how they wished there was a place for their kids to attend something like Wendy Ward....so I wrote a book..."You Are More Than Enough: Every Woman's Guide to Purpose, Passion, and Power" so they can give it to anyone who needs a bit of a self-esteem or empowerment boost.

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  4. I too am a graduate of the "Wendy Ward" School of Charm! I was just sharing these exact details with my husband when I decided to Google it!!

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  5. I attended Wendy Ward Charm school as well in National City. I still have my book...and get quite a chuckle going through it every once and again remembering how much fun I had. I loved the fashion show we got to be a part of as well!

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  6. I am a graduate of the Wendy Ward Charm School. It was in Orange County but I think it was at Huntington Center or outside of Westminster Mall...do not remember exactly. I do remember modeling in the store and practicing walking and being a mannequin!

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  7. Thank you so much for sharing your memories...I too attended a Wendy Ward Charm School:-) It was located in "The Hub" shopping center in Fremont, CA. My father drove me every week from Pleasanton, CA. He worked the graveyard shift and should have been sleeping at that time, but he saw how enthused I was! All these years later I still apply some of what was taught to me and the memories bring a smile to my face. Memories of the Wendy Ward Charm School itself, and the fond memories of the drive with my father.

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  8. I attended the same class Tammy, I was 13, my nickname was Twiggy cause I looked so much like her. I was such a tomboy and had to beg my dad to let me take the course. Loved it.

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  9. I went to it in Houston in about 1966 or 67. Lots of great memories, especially getting to model our favorite outfit. I got voted most something can't remember, maybe miss Charm Girl or Miss Wendy Ward, or miss likely to succeed, anyone remember

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  10. My mother put me in Wendy Wards charm school when I was in 5th grade. I still remember being taught how to set a table, manners, ect. Wow, can't believe someone else out there remembers it!

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  11. I lived in Compton,CA I attended Wendy Ward charm school in Lynwood ,CA. I also enjoyed myself very much.I have thought about opening a charm school myself.

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  12. I was a Wendy Ward gal! Lotsa fun, I went on to John Robert Powers.

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