President Jane Lemak |
President-elect JoEllen Cortapasso |
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It all started in New York!
Jane Cunnigham Croly, journalist, author and editor was by 1857 one of the first women syndicated columnists. She started her first organization, the Women's Parliament in 1856. In 1868 she and other female journalists were denied tickets to hear Charles Dickens speak. This spurred her to form the famous women's club, Sorosis. As women's clubs began to form across the country, they became a center of educational advocacy. She formed the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1890 to support clubs thoughout the nation.
About the General Federation of Women’s Clubs
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is a unifying force, bringing together local women’s clubs, with members dedicated to strengthening their communities and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. With almost 80,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members are community leaders who work locally to create global change by supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, advancing education, promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging civic involvement, and working toward world peace and understanding.
Jane Cunnigham Croly, journalist, author and editor was by 1857 one of the first women syndicated columnists. She started her first organization, the Women's Parliament in 1856. In 1868 she and other female journalists were denied tickets to hear Charles Dickens speak. This spurred her to form the famous women's club, Sorosis. As women's clubs began to form across the country, they became a center of educational advocacy. She formed the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1890 to support clubs thoughout the nation.
About the General Federation of Women’s Clubs
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is a unifying force, bringing together local women’s clubs, with members dedicated to strengthening their communities and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. With almost 80,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members are community leaders who work locally to create global change by supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, advancing education, promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging civic involvement, and working toward world peace and understanding.
Top 10 Reasons to Join a GFWC Club!
10. Continue a club’s legacy. The work of GFWC clubs requires a continuation of effort by many people. Your support as a member will ensure that the service contributed in your community and throughout the world can continue. Strength in numbers brings great results. “Many hands make the work lighter.”
9. Share Your Talents. Every person offers unique talents to any organization. When we combine our efforts and work toward a common goal, the results are great! Think of the work as a gigantic puzzle. Your unique piece to the puzzle is a vital part of community service.
8. Expand Your Horizons through Networking. Increase your professional and career contacts. Your membership is a valuable method to network and link with people and groups that can benefit your work, social and personal lives.
7. Develop Young Leaders. By engaging youth, GFWC members help to develop strong leaders for the future. Juniorette clubs provide youth volunteer opportunities that allow young adults to become involved in community service and begin learning about the impact they can have around the world.
6. Grow as a Family. GFWC clubs offer opportunities for families to volunteer together. Start spending quality time together as a family while serving the community.
5. Learn, Grow, and Share. Through volunteer work and community service, GFWC club members are learning new things and developing leadership skills every day. Share your knowledge with community members to help them lead healthier lifestyles. Living the Volunteer Spirit.
4. Enjoy a Rewarding Experience. There is no greater feeling than making a positive impact on someone's life.
3. Make New Friends. Joining a local GFWC club is a great way to network with other people in your community and make new friends. Find a club that involves people with the same interests, hobbies and passions. Serving together can help build relationships that last a lifetime.
2. Make a Difference in the World. Joining a local GFWC club is a great way to network with other people in your community and make new friends, but also serve the world through community service.
1. Serve the Community. By partnering with local leaders and organizations, identifying the needs of the community, you can be a part of planning service projects that address those needs.
10. Continue a club’s legacy. The work of GFWC clubs requires a continuation of effort by many people. Your support as a member will ensure that the service contributed in your community and throughout the world can continue. Strength in numbers brings great results. “Many hands make the work lighter.”
9. Share Your Talents. Every person offers unique talents to any organization. When we combine our efforts and work toward a common goal, the results are great! Think of the work as a gigantic puzzle. Your unique piece to the puzzle is a vital part of community service.
8. Expand Your Horizons through Networking. Increase your professional and career contacts. Your membership is a valuable method to network and link with people and groups that can benefit your work, social and personal lives.
7. Develop Young Leaders. By engaging youth, GFWC members help to develop strong leaders for the future. Juniorette clubs provide youth volunteer opportunities that allow young adults to become involved in community service and begin learning about the impact they can have around the world.
6. Grow as a Family. GFWC clubs offer opportunities for families to volunteer together. Start spending quality time together as a family while serving the community.
5. Learn, Grow, and Share. Through volunteer work and community service, GFWC club members are learning new things and developing leadership skills every day. Share your knowledge with community members to help them lead healthier lifestyles. Living the Volunteer Spirit.
4. Enjoy a Rewarding Experience. There is no greater feeling than making a positive impact on someone's life.
3. Make New Friends. Joining a local GFWC club is a great way to network with other people in your community and make new friends. Find a club that involves people with the same interests, hobbies and passions. Serving together can help build relationships that last a lifetime.
2. Make a Difference in the World. Joining a local GFWC club is a great way to network with other people in your community and make new friends, but also serve the world through community service.
1. Serve the Community. By partnering with local leaders and organizations, identifying the needs of the community, you can be a part of planning service projects that address those needs.
A few of the accomplishments by the clubwomen of GFWC New York:
1890-General Federation of Women's Clubs officially formed by 63 clubs on April 24 during a ratification convention in New York City. In 1898 GFWC unanimously passed a resolution against child labor.
1901-Raised over $500 for Galveston flood victims.
1902-Many clubs started local libraries.
1907-Donated money for scholarships for women in London. Actively supported the establishment of School of Home Economics at Cornell University. Urged franchise for women.
1915-Instituted first municipal forest in New York State.
1921-Made donations to war-torn countries.
1923-Planted forests. Raised about $12,000 towards GFWC Headquarters in Washington, DC.
1930-Built swimming pool at Home for Crippled Children in Far Rockaway.
1931-Helped to establish uniform state narcotics laws.
1932-Three bills which we supported were passed: minimum wage bill, bill limiting hours of marathon dances, law requiring reflectors on trucks.
1938-Organized a national drive for uniform narcotics laws. Headed a delegation of women to 8th Inter-American Conference in Lima, Peru.
1942-Raised $450,000 in bond sales, used toward purchase of an Army bomber and an ambulance. Launched recruitment program for nurses and provided financial assistance to several nursing students. Provided books and Bibles for service men. Gave relief to war-torn countries.
1945-Helped restore the home of Susan B. Anthony. Sent food and clothing to Philippines.
1947-Worked for restoration of Statue of Liberty and Bedloe’s Island.
1950-Raised money to buy powdered milk for U.N. International Children’s Emergency Program.
1952-Contributed over $5,000 to CARE for Korea campaign.
1954-Contributed over $2,300 towards GFWC restoration of Independence Hall.
1957-New York State president was member of President Eisenhower’s Committee for Traffic Safety.
1961-Supported air pollution control, improved control of narcotics, minimum age for drinking alcohol.
1968-Passed resolution to provide suitable place for children being detained for Family Court.
1970-Offer to house New York State Federation of Women’s Club Archives accepted by Dr. J. Ralph Murray, President, Elmira College. Choice of location made by Past President Nelms Cheatham. It was the oldest women’s college.
1972-1974-Flood victims in southwestern New York were assisted.
1978-Music scholarship offered for first time. Clubwoman of the Year Award instituted.
1980-1982-Considerable money raised to help the blind.
1984-1986-Over $8000 raised for the support of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation.
1992-1994-92,275 volunteer hours given to 1100 projects and $177,000 contributed to GFWC New York’s projects and programs.
1996-GFWC New York established a $500 scholarship for a graduating High School senior who will attend an accredited college or university in New York State, in memory of Past State President Frances Bailey.
1998-Libraries 2000. A GFWC initiative to aid libraries. Members donated $2,357,421.63 in books and materials to public and school libraries.
2001-Project Libraries 2000 reported 1,105 books donated with value of $2,342.25 and other donations of $1,150
2002- GFWC Board of Directors established the All-Occasion Cards (Tribute Cards) For as low as $5, members may have cards sent in memory of members who have passed, happy occasions such as birth of child or grandchild.
Established the Sande Zirlin Art Award for a college student, or graduate student in Art.
2003-Articles of Incorporation amended to conform with IRS 501(c)3 Internal Revenue Code for Not for Profit charitable organizations. GFW N.Y. became an umbrella organization for qualified member clubs.
Clubwoman of the Year Award renamed to Karen Cuzzi Clubwoman of the Year. A pin was designed to be given to the recipient and a $50 donation to be given to a charity of the Honoree’s choice.
*2004-Raised funds and purchased an ambulance for the New York City Fire Department in the aftermath of 2001 devastation. *(See below)
2005-The Order of the Rose was instituted to pay tribute to members who have previously been placed on the Honor Roll.
2006-Consolidation of Districts from numbered (1-9) to the following names: Districts 1 & 2 to Island/Metro; District 3 to Mid-Hudson; District 4 to Adirondack; District 5 & 6 to Central; District 7 to Lake; District 8 to Greater Western; and District 9 to Hudson Valley.
2013-Juniorettes of Century Club of Amsterdam organized and received Charter.
New York Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO) Charter reactivation.
Tribute Card expansion. At the Winter Board meeting: if a donation of $10 or higher an indication can be made to benefit Scholastic or Music Award. If no indication, donation will go to the Endowment fund.
2014–2016-Upon Board of Directors approval, an Emergency Relief Fund was established to be used to support member clubs in other states recover from national disasters. Hosted Middle Atlantic Region Conference, Sept. 11-14, 2015. Co-sponsored with GFWC, the League of Women Voters symposium at the United Nations focusing on Water for Life with presentations and discussions about underdeveloped nations and their need for clean and plentiful water to benefit humans, livestock, and agriculture. Co-sponsored with League of Women Voters and GFWC a seminar at the United Nations, UNITE to Prevent Domestic Violence..
Special Project: Cancer Research. Theme: Volunteers are Stars in their Community
Statistics: 33 Clubs reporting.
Programs/Projects: 2,716
Volunteer Hours 385,551
$ Donated $1,878,150
Attended the 125th GFWC Anniversary Celebration in Memphis, Tennessee. Attended 81st annual New York State Fair Women’s Day in Syracuse, N.Y. Co-sponsored with GFWC, the League of Women Voters symposium at the United Nations focusing on Women’s Global Health-Care Issues
Statistics: 35 Clubs reporting,
Programs/Projects: 2,814
Volunteer Hours 241,288
$ Donated $1,437,581
In Kind Donations $ 311,396
2017–2018-Theme: Working Together for a Brighter Tomorrow. Attended 150th Birthday Celebration for Sorosis club. (March 3, 2018)
Programs/Projects: 94 Volunteer Hours: 79,872
$ Donated: $152,975.90 In-Kind Donations: $113,357.92
2019-2020-Theme: Living the Volunteer Spirit, Leave a Legacy. Hosted: First Annual Fall Festival of Fun and Learning.
Programs/Projects: 1,282. Volunteer Hours: 112,819
$ Donated: $166,087 In-Kind Donations: $140,752
2020-2022-Theme: Volunteers Making a Difference in the Lives of their Communities.
Clubs continued their volunteer work despite Covid-19 challenges.
Volunteer Hours: 4,916,495.11
Dollars Donated: $8,497,117.01
2022-2024-Theme: Let's do this together.
2023 Programs/Projects: 914 Volunteer Hours: 63,160
$ Donated: $306,184 In-Kind Donations: $81,189
To be continued…
The GFWC N.Y. Board members from across the state meet every September, January and April or May at a central location-often Albany.