New York State Federation of Women's Clubs

History

The General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) is the oldest and one of the largest volunteer organizations in the world. There are over one million members in the United States and 20 countries. In the United States women of all ages are active in approximately 6,500 clubs in communities large and small.

GFWC traces its roots back to Jane Cunningham Croly, an accomplished New York Newspaperwoman, who wrote under the pen name of Jennie June. She and other women were indignant when they 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 asked the question, "Is it possible that women may have a life of their own, may learn to know and honor each other, may find solace in companionship, and lose sight of small troubles in larger aims?" She was 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."

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 was chosen to draft a constitution and plan of organization to be ratified the following year, with Sorosis President Ella Dietz Clymer as chairman. The constitution was adopted in 1890, and the General Federation of Women's Clubs was formed.

Mrs. 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 of GFWC members, who have implemented a broad range of programs and projects tailored to meet the needs of their communities. This motto has set the tone for the flexibility that has allowed GFWC to grow and adapt to changing and diverse lifestyles, and concerns of women throughout more than a century of volunteer work.