THE GENERAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS (GFWC) 

GFWC’s humble roots began when Journalist Jane Cunningham Croly founded the Sorosis club of New York City in 1868. In 1889, she initiated the founding of the Federation by bringing existing clubs together to form a national, mutually supportive organization. In 1994, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

GFWC has become the world's largest and oldest women's volunteer service organization. Working locally through thousands of clubs in the United States and globally in more than 20 countries, GFWC members support the arts, preserve natural resources, promote education, encourage healthy lifestyles, stress civic involvement, and work toward world peace and understanding.

Clubs shape their local agendas to suit particular community needs. Each local chapter benefits from membership, service, material, and program support from state and national Federation levels. GFWC headquarters in Washington, DC, a National Historic Landmark, houses the Women's History and Resource Center, a collection of books, periodicals and records devoted to women's history and women in volunteerism.

History & Mission

More About GFWC