The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. Collectively, we are Living the Volunteer Spirit.
For more information about the local White Mountain Woman’s Club, visit the “About” page.
Explanation of the GFWC Emblem
The emblem of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs is a thing of beauty and significance.
BLACK: The black background represents the “Darkness of Ignorance”
CRUSADER’S SHIELD: The Crusader’s shield on the black field signifies enlightenment, “women emerging from the shadow of ignorance.”
Each of the three colors of the Shield has a special meaning:
RED: The red is for the Courage of the women who accept the responsibility of membership in an organization dedicated to service. WHITE: The white suggests the purity which is woman’s most effective weapon in her crusade of advancement. BLUE: The blue represents constancy which enables her to remain steadfast to her noble purposes.
The lettering on the circle of white stands for “General Federation of Women’s Clubs.”
The outer, unbroken circle suggests “For all eternity.” The Circle has no beginning and no end. All parts are fused together to form one perfect and harmonious whole.
The motto, “Unity in Diversity”, describes a united band of women struggling eternally for the causes in which they believe.
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The Beginning…
General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)
Mission – The GFWC is an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. Now 125 Years Old.
1868 – GFWC’s roots can be traced back to Jane Cunningham Croly, a professional New York journalist (who wrote under the pen name of Jennie June) attempted to attend a dinner at an all-male press club honoring British novelist Charles Dickens. Croly was denied admittance based upon her gender. In response, she formed a club for women, named Sorosis.
1890 – Jane Croly extended an invitation to women’s clubs throughout the United States to attend a ratification convention in New York City. Sixty-three clubs attended and took action to form the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC).
1898 – GFWC unanimously passed a resolution against child labor.
1901 – The 56th Congress of the United States chartered GFWC and designated that the Federation be headquartered in Washington, D.C.
1910’s – GFWC supported legislation for the eight-hour workday and worker’s compensation.
1922 – GFWC Clubwomen purchased 1734 N. Street, NW, Washington, D.C. to serve as the Federation’s International Headquarters.
1944 – GFWC – through “Buy A Bomber” campaign during WW11, sold war bonds worth $154,459,132 dollars – enough money to purchase 431 airplanes.
1961 – GFWC supported the Seat Belts Program. 1990 – GFWC celebrated its centennial anniversary.
1990’s – GFWC actively supported the passage of the Violence Against Women Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; and legislation supporting handgun control.
1997 – Clubwomen raised and donated $13.5 million to public libraries and public school libraries across the nation.
2000’s – GFWC members contributed $180,000 for a fully-equipped ambulance for use by the New York Fire Department in response to the loss of equipment due to the September 11, 2001 attack.
2013/2016 – These are but a few of the programs and resolutions GFWC has supported and continues to support on a national level.
Arizona … 115 YEARS OLD 1901-2016
At the heart of much of the Arizona Federation work were children – as it is at the national level and for all of the clubs. In Arizona they petitioned the legislature for laws against child labor, Juvenile Courts, well equipped schools, and trained teachers.
Today, we have 40 clubs in Arizona. Some clubs were established in the late 1800’s during the time of Arizona’s territory and early Statehood under different names. After they became chartered and affiliated with GFWC, some names changed to what they are today, and some may have two dates.
1901 (1895) Monday Club
1901 (1894) Tucson Woman’s Club
1901 (1899) Bisbee Woman’s Club
1902 – Glendale Woman’s Club
1903 (1899) Winslow Woman’s Club
1914 (1912) Washington Woman’s Club
1914 (1914) Duncan Woman’s Club
1914 (1912) Tempe Woman’s Club
1915 (1896) Woman’s Club of Safford
1917 (1911) Roosevelt Neighbrhd Woman’s Club
1917 (1914) Peoria-West Valley WC
1920 – Benson Woman’s Club
1923 – Nogales Woman’s Club
1923 – Buckeye Woman’s Club
1936 (1935) ViSaWen Woman’s Club
1936 (1933) Tempe Junior Woman’s Club
1937 (1931) Patagonia Woman’s Club
1947 – Kachina Junior Woman’s Club
1950 – Glendale Junior Woman’s Club
1951 – Kachina Woman’s Club
1956 – Benson Junior Woman’s Club
1956 – Parker Junior Woman’s Club
1958 – Las Noches Woman’s Club
1960 – Sierra Vista Woman’s Club
1960 – Desert Jade Woman’s Club
1961 – Paradise Valley Woman’s Club
1964 – White Mountain Woman’s Club
1974 – Mt Lemmon Woman’s Club
1977 – Paradise Valley Junior Women’s Club
1981 – London Bridge Woman’s Club
1984 – Morristown WC
1987 (1901) Florence Woman’s Club
1990 – ESO 5th Wheels Woman’s Club
1991 – Quartzsite Woman’s Club
1994 – Chili Peppers
1997 – Dragoon WC
2001 – Huachuca JWC
2014 – Top of the Pines Woman’s Club
2014 – Hassayampa WC
GFWC-AZ White Mountain Woman's Club 