General Federation of Women's Clubs
Encyclopedia
The General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC), founded in 1890, is an international women's organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. GFWC is one of the world's largest and oldest nonpartisan
, nondenominational, women's volunteer service organizations.
The group holds a congressional charter
under Title 36 of the United States Code
.
Accomplishments during GFWC's first century include: establishing 75 percent of the country's public libraries, developing kindergartens in the public schools, and working for food and drug regulation.
GFWC clubwomen are true volunteers in action—in 2006, our members raised nearly $32 million on behalf of more than 230,000 projects, and volunteered more than 8.4 million hours in the communities where they live and work.
More than 100,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries work in their own communities to support the arts, preserve natural resources, advance education, promote healthy lifestyles, encourage civic involvement, and work toward world peace and understanding.
, a New York
newspaperwoman
who wrote under the pen name
of Jennie June. Indignant that she and other women were denied admittance
to a banquet
honoring Charles Dickens
in 1868 at the all-male New York Press Club
simply because they were women, she determined to organize a club
for women only.
The name initially chosen for this club was Sorosis
, a Greek word meaning "an aggregation, a sweet flavor of many fruits." Although the founders originally supposed they were starting a new movement, they became aware over the years of the existence of other women's clubs that had formed independently to meet the needs of women in the expanding country.
As Sorosis approached its 21st year, Mrs. Croly proposed a conference in New York that brought together delegate
s from 61 women's club
s. On the last day of the conference, the women took action to form a permanent organization. A committee
to draft a constitution
and plan of organization to be ratified
the following year was chosen, with Sorosis President Ella Dietz Clymer presiding. The constitution was adopted in 1890, and the General Federation of Women's Clubs was born. It was charter
ed in 1901 by the U.S. Congress.
Ella Dietz Clymer holds a particular place of honor in Federation history
as the author of the GFWC motto
"Unity in Diversity." Speaking to the delegates at the first conference, she said, "We look for unity, but unity
in diversity
. We hope that you will enrich us by your varied experiences." The aptness of the motto is evident in the diverse interests of GFWC members, who have implemented a broad range of programs and projects tailored to meet the needs of their communities. It set the tone for the flexibility that has allowed the GFWC to grow and adapt to the changing and diverse life styles and concerns of women throughout the country in volunteer work.
Local women's clubs initially joined the General Federation directly but later came into membership through state federations that began forming in 1892. The GFWC also counts international clubs among its members.
Although women's clubs were founded primarily as a means of self-education and development
for women, the emphasis of most local clubs gradually changed to one of community service
and improvement.
Although not every state in the country has a local women's club, several have remained very active over the last 110 years. The state of Maryland chapter is held in high regard to the General Federation. In the early 1900s, the State Federation of Women's Clubs held many meeting in Baltimore. During the first two decades of the twentieth century, these women chose to use their resources and close proximity to Washington, DC and rallied hard for the women's right to vote. This was eventually ratified in 1920.
The General Federation also praised the Baltimore, Maryland chapter for their attempts at creating continuity among members of several states. On April 24–26, 1912, the state held a meeting where 175 delegates from several areas attended. The Baltimore Sun Newspaper printed an article on page 8 of their April 17, 1912 edition listing many of the members who were planning to attend and from what areas they were travelling. The General Federation later commended the state of Maryland for their efforts.
In a time when women's rights were suppressed, the State Federation chapters held grassroots efforts to make sure the women's voice was heard. Through month group meetings, to annual charter meetings, women of influential status within their communities could have their feelings heard. They were able to meet with state officials in order to have a say in the ongoings of community events. Until the right to vote was granted, these women's clubs were the best outlet for women to be heard and taken seriously.
Nonpartisan
In political science, nonpartisan denotes an election, event, organization or person in which there is no formally declared association with a political party affiliation....
, nondenominational, women's volunteer service organizations.
The group holds a congressional charter
Congressional charter
A congressional charter is a law passed by the United States Congress that states the mission, authority and activities of a group. Congress issued federal charters from 1791 until 1992 under Title 36 of the United States Code....
under Title 36 of the United States Code
Title 36 of the United States Code
Title 36 of the United States Code outlines the role of Patriotic Societies and Observances in the United States Code.*Subtitle I—Patriotic and National Observances and Ceremonies*Subtitle II—Patriotic and National Organizations...
.
Volunteer Service
Since its foundation more than 110 years ago, the General Federation of Women's Clubs has been a unifying force, bringing together local women's clubs from around the country and throughout the world. Although there is considerable diversity in the ages, interests, and experiences of GFWC clubwomen, all are united by a dedication to community improvement through volunteer service.Accomplishments during GFWC's first century include: establishing 75 percent of the country's public libraries, developing kindergartens in the public schools, and working for food and drug regulation.
GFWC clubwomen are true volunteers in action—in 2006, our members raised nearly $32 million on behalf of more than 230,000 projects, and volunteered more than 8.4 million hours in the communities where they live and work.
More than 100,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries work in their own communities to support the arts, preserve natural resources, advance education, promote healthy lifestyles, encourage civic involvement, and work toward world peace and understanding.
History
The GFWC traces its roots back to Jane Cunningham CrolyJane Cunningham Croly
Jane Cunningham Croly was an American author and journalist, better known as "Jennie June."She was born in England, came to the United States when a girl, and at an early age became a contributor to newspapers and magazines...
, a New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
newspaperwoman
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
who wrote under the pen name
Pen name
A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
of Jennie June. Indignant that she and other women were denied admittance
Admittance
In electrical engineering, the admittance is a measure of how easily a circuit or device will allow a current to flow. It is defined as the inverse of the impedance . The SI unit of admittance is the siemens...
to a banquet
Banquet
A banquet is a large meal or feast, complete with main courses and desserts. It usually serves a purpose such as a charitable gathering, a ceremony, or a celebration, and is often preceded or followed by speeches in honour of someone....
honoring Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
in 1868 at the all-male New York Press Club
New York Press Club
The New York Press Club is a membership organization of and for journalists and media professionals in the New York City metropolitan area. The club is a private, non-profit corporation and is not affiliated with any government office or agency and does not advocate or participate in any political...
simply because they were women, she determined to organize a club
Club
A club is an association of two or more people united by a common interest or goal. A service club, for example, exists for voluntary or charitable activities; there are clubs devoted to hobbies and sports, social activities clubs, political and religious clubs, and so forth.- History...
for women only.
The name initially chosen for this club was Sorosis
Sorosis
Sorosis was the first professional women's club in the United States. The club was organized in New York City with 12 members in March 1868, by Jane Cunningham Croly...
, a Greek word meaning "an aggregation, a sweet flavor of many fruits." Although the founders originally supposed they were starting a new movement, they became aware over the years of the existence of other women's clubs that had formed independently to meet the needs of women in the expanding country.
As Sorosis approached its 21st year, Mrs. Croly proposed a conference in New York that brought together delegate
Delegate
A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization at a meeting or conference between organizations of the same level A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization (e.g., a government, a charity, an NGO, or a trade union) at a meeting or conference...
s from 61 women's club
Women's club
Women’s clubs, also known as woman's clubs, first arose in the United States during the post-Civil War period, in both the North and the South. As a result of increased leisure time due to modern household advances, middle-class women had more time to engage in intellectual pursuits...
s. On the last day of the conference, the women took action to form a permanent organization. A committee
Committee
A committee is a type of small deliberative assembly that is usually intended to remain subordinate to another, larger deliberative assembly—which when organized so that action on committee requires a vote by all its entitled members, is called the "Committee of the Whole"...
to draft a constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
and plan of organization to be ratified
Ratification
Ratification is a principal's approval of an act of its agent where the agent lacked authority to legally bind the principal. The term applies to private contract law, international treaties, and constitutionals in federations such as the United States and Canada.- Private law :In contract law, the...
the following year was chosen, with Sorosis President Ella Dietz Clymer presiding. The constitution was adopted in 1890, and the General Federation of Women's Clubs was born. It was charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
ed in 1901 by the U.S. Congress.
Ella Dietz Clymer holds a particular place of honor in Federation history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
as the author of the GFWC motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
"Unity in Diversity." Speaking to the delegates at the first conference, she said, "We look for unity, but unity
Cooperation
Cooperation or co-operation is the process of working or acting together. In its simplest form it involves things working in harmony, side by side, while in its more complicated forms, it can involve something as complex as the inner workings of a human being or even the social patterns of a...
in diversity
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
. We hope that you will enrich us by your varied experiences." The aptness of the motto is evident in the diverse interests of GFWC members, who have implemented a broad range of programs and projects tailored to meet the needs of their communities. It set the tone for the flexibility that has allowed the GFWC to grow and adapt to the changing and diverse life styles and concerns of women throughout the country in volunteer work.
Local women's clubs initially joined the General Federation directly but later came into membership through state federations that began forming in 1892. The GFWC also counts international clubs among its members.
Although women's clubs were founded primarily as a means of self-education and development
Personal development
Personal development includes activities that improve awareness and identity, develop talents and potential, build human capital and facilitates employability, enhance quality of life and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations...
for women, the emphasis of most local clubs gradually changed to one of community service
Community service
Community service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions....
and improvement.
Although not every state in the country has a local women's club, several have remained very active over the last 110 years. The state of Maryland chapter is held in high regard to the General Federation. In the early 1900s, the State Federation of Women's Clubs held many meeting in Baltimore. During the first two decades of the twentieth century, these women chose to use their resources and close proximity to Washington, DC and rallied hard for the women's right to vote. This was eventually ratified in 1920.
The General Federation also praised the Baltimore, Maryland chapter for their attempts at creating continuity among members of several states. On April 24–26, 1912, the state held a meeting where 175 delegates from several areas attended. The Baltimore Sun Newspaper printed an article on page 8 of their April 17, 1912 edition listing many of the members who were planning to attend and from what areas they were travelling. The General Federation later commended the state of Maryland for their efforts.
In a time when women's rights were suppressed, the State Federation chapters held grassroots efforts to make sure the women's voice was heard. Through month group meetings, to annual charter meetings, women of influential status within their communities could have their feelings heard. They were able to meet with state officials in order to have a say in the ongoings of community events. Until the right to vote was granted, these women's clubs were the best outlet for women to be heard and taken seriously.
Members
- California Federation of Women's Clubs
- General Federation of Women's Clubs of Connecticut
- GFWC Florida
- Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs
- Iowa Federation of Women’s Clubs
- Maryland Federation of Women's Clubs
- Mississippi Federation of Women's Clubs
- General Federation of Women's Clubs New Hampshire
- New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs
- New York State Federation of Women's Club
- General Federation of Women’s Club of North Carolina
- Ohio Federation of Women's Clubs
- General Federation of Women's Clubs Pennsylvania
- Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs
- General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Virginia
Notable clubwomen
- Jane AddamsJane AddamsJane Addams was a pioneer settlement worker, founder of Hull House in Chicago, public philosopher, sociologist, author, and leader in woman suffrage and world peace...
(1860–1935) - Clementine Cordelia Berry Buchwalter (1843-1912)
- Jane Cunningham CrolyJane Cunningham CrolyJane Cunningham Croly was an American author and journalist, better known as "Jennie June."She was born in England, came to the United States when a girl, and at an early age became a contributor to newspapers and magazines...
(1829–1901) - Ellen Curtis Demorest (1824–1898)
- Lizzie Crozier FrenchLizzie Crozier FrenchMargaret Elizabeth "Lizzie" Crozier French was an American educator, women's suffragist and social reform activist...
(1851–1926) - Julia Ward HoweJulia Ward HoweJulia Ward Howe was a prominent American abolitionist, social activist, and poet, most famous as the author of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".-Biography:...
(1819–1910) - May Mann JenningsMay Mann JenningsMay Austin Elizabeth Mann Jennings was the First Lady of Florida as wife of Florida Governor William Sherman Jennings. She was one of Florida's most powerful and influential women.-Early years:...
(1872–1963) - Bertha Ethel Knight Landes (1868–1943)
- Julia LathropJulia LathropJulia Clifford Lathrop was an American social reformer in the area of education, social policy, and children's welfare...
(1858–1932)
- Eva Perry Moore (1853–1931)
- Eleanor RooseveltEleanor RooseveltAnna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
(1884–1962) - Nellie Tayloe RossNellie Tayloe RossNellie Tayloe Ross was an American politician, the 14th Governor of Wyoming from 1925 to 1927, and director of the United States Mint from 1933-1953. She was the first woman to serve as governor of a U.S. state. To date, she remains the only woman to have served as governor of Wyoming...
(1876–1977) - Mary Belle King Sherman (1862–1935)
- Margaret Chase SmithMargaret Chase SmithMargaret Chase Smith was a Republican Senator from Maine, and one of the most successful politicians in Maine history. She was the first woman to be elected to both the U.S. House and the Senate, and the first woman from Maine to serve in either. She was also the first woman to have her name...
(1897–1995) - Frances WillardFrances Willard (suffragist)Frances Elizabeth Caroline Willard was an American educator, temperance reformer, and women's suffragist. Her influence was instrumental in the passage of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution...
(1839–1898) - Ellen S. Woodward (1887–1971)