The General Federation of Women’s Clubs

The General Federation of Women's Clubs is an international women's organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.

 

Notable milestones of the GFWC:

1868: GFWC’s roots can be traced back to 1868 when JANE CUNNINGHAM CROLY (1829-1901), a professional New York journalist who wrote under the pen name of Jennie June, attempted to attend a dinner at an all-male press club honoring British novelist Charles Dickens.  Mrs. Croly was denied admittance based upon her gender, and in response, formed a club for women.  She chose the name Sorosis, a Greek word meaning “an aggregation; a sweet flavor of many fruits.”

1910s: GFWC supported legislation for the eight-hour workday, workplace safety and inspection, and workmen’s compensation.  Members also supported prison reform legislation.

1930s: Having founded over 474 free public libraries and 4,655 traveling libraries, women’s clubs were credited by the American Library Association with establishing 75 percent of America’s public libraries. Supporting local libraries continues to be a Federation priority today.  

1945: GFWC was one of the five women’s organizations chosen to participate in the conference to form the United Nations.  At the conference, GFWC representatives supported the ratification of the United Nations Charter.  

1960: “Brighten the Night” was a nationwide Federation campaign for street lighting to prevent crime and accidents.

1961: GFWC’s “Women’s Crusade for Seat Belts” program resulted in the installation of more than one million seat belts over the course of one year.

1990s: GFWC actively supported the passage of the Violence Against Women Act; the Americans With Disabilities Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; and, legislation supporting handgun control.

 

A COLLECT FOR CLUBWOMEN
Written by Mary Stewart

Keep us, oh God, from pettiness; let us be large in thought, in word, in deed.

Let us be done with fault-finding and leave off self-seeking.

May we put away all pretense and meet each other face to face—without self-pity and without prejudice.

May we be never hasty in judgment and always generous.

Let us take time for all things; make us to grow calm, serene, gentle.

Teach us to put into action our better impulses, straightforward and unafraid.

Grant that we may realize it is the little things that create differences, that in the big things of life we are at one.

And may we strive to touch and to know the great, common human heart of us all.

And oh Lord God, let us forget not to be kind.