GFWC History
The GFWC, founded in 1890, is the world’s largest non-partisan, nondenominational women’s volunteer service organization. GFWC traces its roots back to Jane Cunningham Croly, an accomplished New York newspaperwoman, who wrote under the pen name “Jennie June.” In 1868 Mrs. Croly and other newspaperwomen were denied admittance to a banquet honoring Charles Dickens at the all-male New York Press Club. It was then that she conceived the idea of
forming a club for women only, “that should manage its own affairs, represent the active interests of women and create a bond of fellowship between them.” The name chosen for this club was Sorosis, a Greek word meaning “an aggregation; a sweet flavor of many fruits, as in the pineapple.” 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 twenty-first year, Mrs. Croly
proposed a conference in New York that brought together delegates from sixty-one women’s clubs. On the last day of the conference, the women took action to form a permanent organization. A constitution was adopted in 1890, and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs was born.
Ella Dietz Clymer, president of Sorosis at the time, gained 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 board range of programs and projects tailored to meet the needs of their communities. It set the tone for the flexibility that has allowed GFWC to grow and adapt to the changing and diverse life-styles and concerns of women throughout a century of volunteer work. Although women’s clubs were founded primarily as a means of self- education and development for women, gradually the emphasis of
most local clubs changed to one of community service and improvement. GFWC programmatic areas of activity include arts and culture, civic engagement and outreach, education and libraries, environment and health and wellness, as well as various special projects including domestic violence awareness and advocating for children. The Federation also has a distinguished record of legislative activity on issues of historical importance: established of a national model for juvenile courts, spearheading the conservation movement resulting in the establishment of the first Forest Reserve in 1899, turning the tide for passage of the Pure Food and Drugs Act in 1906, support for the eight-hour workday legislation and the first child labor law and endorsement of a resolution supporting equal rights and responsibilities for women.
The small banding together of existing clubs that began in 1890 has grown into the largest organization for women volunteers in the world.
GFWC now numbers more than 60,000 members in 2,600 clubs across the globe, including members in every state in the US. Our current membership roster is around 180 (including honorary members). It is interesting to note that the total membership for the GFWC of Montana is around 550.
forming a club for women only, “that should manage its own affairs, represent the active interests of women and create a bond of fellowship between them.” The name chosen for this club was Sorosis, a Greek word meaning “an aggregation; a sweet flavor of many fruits, as in the pineapple.” 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 twenty-first year, Mrs. Croly
proposed a conference in New York that brought together delegates from sixty-one women’s clubs. On the last day of the conference, the women took action to form a permanent organization. A constitution was adopted in 1890, and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs was born.
Ella Dietz Clymer, president of Sorosis at the time, gained 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 board range of programs and projects tailored to meet the needs of their communities. It set the tone for the flexibility that has allowed GFWC to grow and adapt to the changing and diverse life-styles and concerns of women throughout a century of volunteer work. Although women’s clubs were founded primarily as a means of self- education and development for women, gradually the emphasis of
most local clubs changed to one of community service and improvement. GFWC programmatic areas of activity include arts and culture, civic engagement and outreach, education and libraries, environment and health and wellness, as well as various special projects including domestic violence awareness and advocating for children. The Federation also has a distinguished record of legislative activity on issues of historical importance: established of a national model for juvenile courts, spearheading the conservation movement resulting in the establishment of the first Forest Reserve in 1899, turning the tide for passage of the Pure Food and Drugs Act in 1906, support for the eight-hour workday legislation and the first child labor law and endorsement of a resolution supporting equal rights and responsibilities for women.
The small banding together of existing clubs that began in 1890 has grown into the largest organization for women volunteers in the world.
GFWC now numbers more than 60,000 members in 2,600 clubs across the globe, including members in every state in the US. Our current membership roster is around 180 (including honorary members). It is interesting to note that the total membership for the GFWC of Montana is around 550.
GFWC OF MONTANA Programs, Special Projects and Fundraising
Arts and Culture
• Arts in the Community
• Promotion of Cultural Awareness
• Photography Contests
Civic Engagement and Outreach
• Citizenship Programs
• Crime Prevention and Safety
• Disaster Preparedness
• Helping the Needy
• Supporting our Military and Veterans
Education and Libraries
• Literacy Programs for Children and Adults
• Lifelong Learning Programs
• Reading and Book Programs
Environment
• Awareness of the Natural World
• Recycling projects
• Planting Trees or Beautification projects
• Education about Native Plants and Animals
Health and Wellness
• Our Mind, Body and Spirit
• Nutritional Needs
• Disease Prevention
15• Physical and Emotional Wellness
GFWC - Special Projects
• GFWC Signature Project Domestic Violence
Awareness and Prevention
• GFWC Juniors’ – Advocates for Children
Fundraising Projects
•“GFWC Montana Endowment Fund” – interest only
used from investments to assist GFWC of Montana
with the basic operating expenses.
• Jessie Lee Thompson (JLT) Travel Fund – to assist
with travel expenses for the GFWC MT President
• “Pennies for Art” – provides monetary awards for Art
Contests and Scholarships.
• GFWC MT President’s Special Project:
The Five Points of Light Challenge –
Service, Commitment, Loyalty, Caring, Kindness.
Each club is asked to meet the challenges, including
supporting literacy on the Blackfeet Reservation through the Glacier County
Library Foundation.
• Arts in the Community
• Promotion of Cultural Awareness
• Photography Contests
Civic Engagement and Outreach
• Citizenship Programs
• Crime Prevention and Safety
• Disaster Preparedness
• Helping the Needy
• Supporting our Military and Veterans
Education and Libraries
• Literacy Programs for Children and Adults
• Lifelong Learning Programs
• Reading and Book Programs
Environment
• Awareness of the Natural World
• Recycling projects
• Planting Trees or Beautification projects
• Education about Native Plants and Animals
Health and Wellness
• Our Mind, Body and Spirit
• Nutritional Needs
• Disease Prevention
15• Physical and Emotional Wellness
GFWC - Special Projects
• GFWC Signature Project Domestic Violence
Awareness and Prevention
• GFWC Juniors’ – Advocates for Children
Fundraising Projects
•“GFWC Montana Endowment Fund” – interest only
used from investments to assist GFWC of Montana
with the basic operating expenses.
• Jessie Lee Thompson (JLT) Travel Fund – to assist
with travel expenses for the GFWC MT President
• “Pennies for Art” – provides monetary awards for Art
Contests and Scholarships.
• GFWC MT President’s Special Project:
The Five Points of Light Challenge –
Service, Commitment, Loyalty, Caring, Kindness.
Each club is asked to meet the challenges, including
supporting literacy on the Blackfeet Reservation through the Glacier County
Library Foundation.