A Brief History of GFWC Virginia
“Service, the Debt of Education” was chosen as the motto for the
state in 1913. Even though promoting education for women was
the initial drive, the women made it very clear that this did not
mean just formal education advancement, but the “continuing process
which comes about through reading, listening, acting.” The
emblem of the state flag lying on a wreath of golden rod in the
chosen colors of blue and gold was also adopted in 1913.
Details of the early meetings of Virginia can be found in the history written by Etta Belle Northington, past state President, as part of the Golden Jubilee which was celebrated in 1957. All records and important papers were collected, indexed and presented to the State Library. Mrs. Northington wrote her book from this information, and the fact that she knew each president who served during the 50 years adds special interest.
In the early years, members helped initiate the industrial arts program into rural schools; supported school fairs which exhibited vocational training projects; worked to establish a state supported women’s university and supplied books to libraries, in fact, the Federation established 75% of the libraries in existence. They worked for legislation that would assure adequately trained and paid teachers, expanded building of schools, worked for compulsory attendance and the establishment of libraries. These women also pioneered action in fields of sanitation, pure food and the clean up of litter and filth from public places.
Health issues also claimed the attention of clubwomen as infant mortality was high; tuberculosis was the number one killer, the death rate from typhoid and the incidence of malaria were causes for alarm, so they worked to clean up open wells and outdoor privies and demanded that all stores selling food be screened to keep out insects and dust. Clubwomen today are still concerned with health issues. They can be found working with the American Cancer Society, the Arthritis Foundation, American Heart Association, and other health organizations; conducting osteoporosis screenings, blood pressure screenings, working with children with cancer and much more. Virginia clubwomen raised money for cancer treatment machines, i.e., Maxitron, Clinac and a linear accelerator at the Massey Cancer Center in Richmond.
A Federation magazine “Club Life in the Old Dominion” was first published in 1921, fell on hard times and was reactivated in 1928 with the President serving as editor. “The Virginia Clubwoman” official publication of the Federation is now published five times per year with the editor appointed by the president. This magazine and the yearbook are indispensable tools for all clubwomen. Headquarters for the Federation was established and housed in a small room in the Woman’s Club of Richmond, and was later moved to the mezzanine floor of the Jefferson Hotel and remained there many years. It was then moved to the Berkshire for twelve years and in 1992 was relocated to 513 Forest Avenue. Headquarters serves as base of operations for officers and chairmen and a source of help to all members. The Executive Secretary is in the office to handle general business, distribute materials and disseminate information. Contributions from clubs and clubwomen help maintain Headquarters, but the major support is realized from the interest on the state’s Endowment Fund. The Headquarters Building Fund was merged with the Nellie Watts Flemming Endowment Fund to become the GFWC Virginia Endowment Fund in 2000.
Convention minutes show that Juniors became a part of Virginia Federation in 1924. The Newport News Juniors were the first Junior Department. Today, the Director of Junior Clubs is the Third Vice President of GFWC Virginia and a member of the Board of Directors of GFWC.
Scholarships have been of major interest to clubwomen. In addition to other work to improve educational opportunities in Virginia, many clubs give their own scholarships, as well as lending support to the state scholarships: Mary Macon McGuire and the Phyllis V. Roberts Scholarships. These funds are administered by the state’s Scholarship Committee.
Virginia clubwomen have supported safety, crime prevention, child welfare, the artmobile from the Virginia Museum, get out the vote, billboard blight removal, court watching, patriotic campaigns, mental health research and education, gave money for a heated physical therapy pool to the Children’s Rehabilitation Center of the University of Virginia.
For many years clubwomen, especially Juniors, worked tirelessly for the upkeep and development of Camp Easter Seal West in Craig County. In 1978, Virginia clubwomen adopted the building of Camp Easter Seal East in Caroline County. Since that time the central building named “Federation Lodge” was built, a heated pool with cover, another dormitory building, and a multipurpose building have been constructed with the Federation being the major contributor. In the fall of 2001 ground was broken for a Health Care and Speech Therapy Center, which was officially dedicated in 2004. During the 2004-06 administration, over $70,000.00 was raised to assist Camp Easter Seal with the maintenance of Camp in Craig County.
Canine Companions for Independence was introduced in 1986 and
Virginia members immediately became involved. Virginia was the
FIRST state to provide the funds to train a dog to assist a disabled
person and since then Virginia clubwomen have contributed funds to
place six dogs with Virginians with disabilities.
Operation Smile was introduced in 1988 and has continued as a major
focus of clubwomen. Virginia club members have also
volunteered their services to this medical mission to developing
countries, working in the Philippines, China and Africa. Clubs
still provide money and make “smile bags” and gowns for children
receiving surgery during the missions. Operation Smile was
introduced to GFWC and adopted as an objective by them in 1990.
GFWC Virginia has had the honor of having three of its members serve as GFWC International President: Mrs. J. L. Blair Buck-1947-50, Mrs. James B. Roberts-1986-88, and Mrs. Leslie W. Hamlett, Jr.–2000-2002.
GFWC Virginia holds an annual convention for the purpose of conducting the business of the federation, an annual conference with workshops for training purposes and orientations for officers and chairmen.
Beginning in 2006 with the appointment of a 100th Anniversary Committee, plans emerged for two years of events to celebrate our history in Federation. The first year included the 2007 Convention Champagne (Sparkling Cider) Banquet, Memorial Service and Hats and Gloves luncheon. With the 2008 Convention, we were featuring our chorus, fashions of the decade’s revue and completion of our written history book. Scrapbooks from districts were available for viewing. Ornaments and pins were created for members to obtain items of remembrance. With special events, mementos, fashions, music, and written history, we have reviewed our past, celebrated our accomplishments, and accepted challenges to step forward into our future of volunteering.
Virginia Clubwomen surged into their Second Century of Service with a challenging State Project for 2008 - 2010 - the raising of funds for the purchase of a fully equipped ambulance for the Virginia Tech Student Rescue Squad. This volunteer effort was to provide a living memorial to the students lost in the April 2007 campus tragedy, one of which was the son of a Virginia Junior. Despite the depressed economy, over $110,000 was raised and the newly purchased vehicle was presented as a surprise to Convention 2010 attendees!
The 2008 - 2010 Administration also launched a Strategic Planning Committee as well as a Study Committee to review publication practices. The findings and recommendations of both furnished valuable data to guide the future of GFWC Virginia.
-Updated 7/2010
GENERAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN’S CLUBS
A CAPSULE HISTORY
GFWC traces its roots back to Jane Cunningham Croly, an accomplished 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 chosen for this club was Sorosis, a Greek word meaning “an aggregation: a sweet flavor of many fruits.” Although Sorosis’ 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 delegates from 61 women’s clubs. 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 as chairman. The constitution was adopted in 1890, and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs was born. It was chartered in 1901 by the U.S. Congress.
Motto
Ella Dietz Clymer 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 and methods 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 GFWC to grow and adapt to the changing and diverse lifestyles and concerns of women throughout more than a century of volunteer work.
Headquarters
In 1922, the Federation purchased a five-story brick and stone townhouse in Washington, DC, which became its international headquarters. Located at 1734 N Street, NW, the building has an interesting history of its own. It was built in 1875 by Rear Admiral William Radford upon his retirement from the U.S. Navy. By 1895, the neighborhood was well developed and ready to welcome the colorful character of the next owner, General Nelson A. Miles, Commanding General in the Spanish American War. General Miles rose to fame in the Indian wars and was cited for gallantry in the Civil War.
Funds were raised by popular subscription for the purchase of the house as a gift to the distinguished soldier who made it his home until 1903. Later owners of the Nelson A. Miles Mansion, as it was known, were Mr. and Mrs. John Jay White. Mr. White was a great traveler and a big game hunter who frequently accompanied former President Theodore Roosevelt on expeditions. The house was then used as Czechoslovakian Legation for 18 months following World War I, until it was purchased by GFWC. Today the building provides office space for the professional staff that administers programs and services for the organization, and also is the residence of the GFWC International President during her two-year term. The building, which retains much of its original character and elegance, is toured each year by club members and many distinguished visitors and guests from all over the United States and the world. In 1991, GFWC Headquarters was designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service and the Secretary of the Interior in recognition of its “national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America”. GFWC Headquarters is one of the few (5%) historic landmarks currently associated with women’s history.
Goals and Activities
As it unites member clubs, the Federation’s goal is to encourage women to improve their skills, expand their rights and apply their abilities and special sensitivity to the problems of their communities and nation. Although clubs were originally founded as a means of self-education and development for women, gradually the emphasis changed t community service. GFWC areas of activity include the arts, conservation, education, home life, international affairs, and public affairs, as well as other special projects. It has a distinguished record of activity on issues of historical importance, beginning with the establishment of a national model for juvenile courts and of service in the forefront of the conservation movement resulting in the establishment of the Forest Reserve in 1899. GFWC is credited with the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906. The federation also supported legislation for the eight-hour workday and the first child labor law. As early as 1944, GFWC endorsed a resolution supporting equal rights and responsibilities for women.
The small banding together of existing clubs in the early 1890s has become an international organization of community-based volunteers in over 5,000 clubs in 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 20 countries.