GFWC INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE OF BUTLER

GFWC MISSION AND HISTORY

The General Federation of Women's 
Clubs (GFWC) is an international women's organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. Founded in 1890, it is one of the world's oldest nonpartisan, nondenominational volunteer service organizations for women and is well into its second century of volunteer service throughout the United States and the world.  

GFWC traces its roots back to Jane (“Jennie June”) Cunningham Croly, a newspaper woman in New York City who was denied entrance to a banquet because she was a woman. In response, she founded the Sorosis Club, which was for women only, to "represent the active interests of

women, and create a bond of Twenty-one years later she invited members of women’s clubs from all over the country to meet at a conference in New York City. The women took action to form a permanent organization. On April 24, 1890, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs was born. Ella Cletz Clymer, the first GFWC president, stated, "We look for unity, but unity in diversity." friendship between them." She later learned that other clubs for women existed throughout the United States. 

​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 towards world peace and understanding. 

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