GFWC History . . . . .
GFWC Mission Statement
The GFWC is an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. "Unity in Diversity" is the official motto of GFWC. The official flower is the "red rose" and "America the Beautiful" is the official song.
GFWC Florida History
In 1898 the General Federation of Women’s Clubs accepted the Florida Federation as a state federation.
GFWC Florida has a rich history of making an impact in communities across our state. Clubwomen worked diligently to create and support traveling libraries, assist the Seminole Indians and protect Florida’s roadways by ensuring farmers put cows behind fences. In 1904 GFWC Florida clubwomen helped found Royal Palm Park, which is now known as the Everglades. They received a grant to help pay the salary of the forest ranger.
During World War II, GFWC clubwomen assisted with war bonds, planted victory gardens, sewed wedding dresses for brides before their loved ones went off to war. In 1956 a permanent GFWC Florida headquarters was completed in Lakeland, FL. This building is debt-free and houses GFWC Florida history, trophies, archives and historical art work.
In the last several decades, GFWC Florida clubwomen have worked tirelessly to promote domestic violence awareness, support foster children, plant forests across the state through a “Pennies for Pines” program, support youth leadership development through the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program, promote child abuse awareness and prevention, build parks for handicapped children, educate children on the importance of energy conservation, promote mental health awareness, support our nation’s wounded warriors through “Canines for Independence” and support cleft palate and cleft lip surgeries in developing countries.
As former GFWC Florida and GFWC President Jeannine Faubion wrote, “The history of the state would be incomplete without the immeasurable contributions of the thousands of GFWC club members, state officers and chairmen whose vision of a better community and state has been made into a reality by their untiring, unselfish work through the years…The gifts of service which they have freely given helped to make Florida what it is today.”
Federation Motto: Federation colors: Red, White & Blue
In great things, Unity; Federation Song: Suwannee River
In small things, Liberty;
In all things, Charity.
GFWC Florida Headquarters
4444 Florida National Drive
Lakeland, Florida 33813
(863) 647-2642
GFWC The Villages History
GFWC The Villages was founded by 19 women who reside in The Villages, FL, with a vision for the future. In September 2005, the club was formed and chartered as a member of the Florida Federation of Woman's Clubs.
By Living the Volunteer Spirit, clubwomen transform lives each day, not simply by monetary gifts, but also with hands-on tangible projects that provide immediate impact. Local organizations which have benefited through our donations and projects include: local youth scholarships, veteran's programs, Operation Smile, Salvation Army Bell Ringing, Salvation Army back pack assembly, Relay for Life, Operation Shoebox, It Takes a Village, Sumter County Library, Deliver the Difference, Canine Companions, SoZo Kids of Ocala National Forest, Shriners Hospital, Baker House Christmas Decorating and Christmas Angel Tree Gifts for Children. Monetary donations are funded by a variety of fundraising events each year.
Past Club Presidents
2005 - 2007 Sara Castelli
2008 - 2009 Judith Snyder Mineo
2010 - 2011 Sheila Van Sickle
2011 - 2012 Trudy Grossouw
2012 - 2016 Barbara O'Brien
2016 - 2020 Brenda Peters
2020 - 2022 Madge Chapman
2022 - 2024 Cindy Rice - Kay Basham (acting Pres. Mar - Jun 2024)
2024 - 2026
HIGHLIGHTS OF GFWC HISTORY
1868 Jane Cunningham Croly, a professional journalist who attempted to attend an all-male press club meeting honoring Charles Dickens was denied admittance because of her gender, formed a woman’s club, Sorosis.
1889 The 21st anniversary of Sorosis, she invited women’s clubs throughout the United States to pursue the cause of federation by attending a convention in New York City.
1890 Officially formed General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
1898 Worked to improve child labor laws.
1899 President Taft appointed Julia Lathrop who led the nation in establishing juvenile court laws.
1901 GFWC headquarters established in Washington, DC
1906 Writing campaign to help pass the Pure Food and Drug Act
1910 Supported workplace safety and the 8-hour workday and prison reform legislation.
1915 GFWC established Royal Palm Park in Florida. Maintained the park until 1947 when it became Everglades National Park.
1916 Over 2,000 clubs promote National Baby Week, infant and maternal mortality, birth registration and public health facilities.
1919 GFWC created Overseas Service Unit and sent 100 young women to assist wounded soldiers of WWI.
1920 GFWC worked for the establishment of a National Gallery of Art.
1921 GFWC created Indian Welfare Committee which improved education and health facilities as well as preserving Native American culture.
1922 Purchased headquarters in DC. Staff offices, meeting rooms and one floor to serve as an apartment for the International President.
1925 GFWC initiated nationwide Federation survey of the American home, which placed a spotlight on the status of technology in the home. The survey led to the inclusion of HOMEMAKER as an occupation on the 1930 census.
1930’s Having founded over 474 free, public libraries and 4,655 traveling libraries women’s clubs were credited with 75% of American libraries.
1932 GFWC established the Junior Department in response to younger women volunteering for community service.
1934 GFWC began a 10-year study to review the Equal Rights Amendment and in 1944 ERA was adopted.
1944 “Buy a Bomber” campaign during WWII sold war bonds to purchase 431 planes.
1955 Community Achievement Program to improve life in their community, now called CIP (Community Improvement Project).
1960 Brighten the Night, a campaign for street lights to prevent crime and accidents.
1961 Over one million seat belts were installed in one year as a result of the GFWC Crusade for Seat Belts.
1965 USPS awarded GFWC with a stamp in honor of our 75th anniversary.
1990 GFWC actively supported Violence Against Women Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act and legislation supporting handgun control.
1994 GFWC founder inducted into National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York.
1997 Over a 5-year period, raised and donated $13.5 million to libraries across the nation.
2000 GFWC contributed $180,000 for a fully equipped ambulance for use by NYC after September 11, 2001.
2011 Success for Survivors Scholarships program established to give financial aid to victims of domestic violence.