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 1869 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 1869 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.
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A few of the accomplishments by the clubwomen of GFWC New York:
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.
1972-1974-Flood victims in southwestern New York were assisted.
1978-Music scholarship offered for first time.
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.
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.
2004-Raised funds and purchased an ambulance for the New York City Fire Department in the aftermath of 2001 devastation.
2005-The Order of the Rose was instituted to pay tribute to members who have previously been placed on the Honor Roll.
2013-Juniorettes of Century Club of Amsterdam organized and received Charter.
New York Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO) Charter reactivation.
2014-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.
2015-Co-sponsored with League of Women Voters and GFWC a seminar at the
United Nations, UNITE to Prevent Domestic Violence
To be continued…
A few of the accomplishments by the clubwomen of GFWC New York:
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.
1972-1974-Flood victims in southwestern New York were assisted.
1978-Music scholarship offered for first time.
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.
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.
2004-Raised funds and purchased an ambulance for the New York City Fire Department in the aftermath of 2001 devastation.
2005-The Order of the Rose was instituted to pay tribute to members who have previously been placed on the Honor Roll.
2013-Juniorettes of Century Club of Amsterdam organized and received Charter.
New York Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO) Charter reactivation.
2014-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.
2015-Co-sponsored with League of Women Voters and GFWC a seminar at the
United Nations, UNITE to Prevent Domestic Violence
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. This winter the meeting will be via Zoom.