Since its inception in 1890, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) has been a beacon of community-driven activism, uniting its members to address national and global concerns. Over the decades, dedicated groups of clubwomen, acting as grassroots activists, have left an indelible mark on society. From rural outposts to bustling urban centers, these women have spurred men into action on matters of civic importance.
Central to our organization’s history is the process of introducing and supporting legislation through resolutions. Through this method, GFWC has effectively championed various causes, shaping legislative agendas and impacting policy decisions.
In our illustrious history, GFWC’s legislative strategy and our clubwomen’s advocacy have yielded significant accomplishments:
- We have tirelessly campaigned for ordinances prohibiting the sale of objectionable literature, including materials promoting crime, sex, and horror, especially those accessible to children.
- We have been vocal advocates for equitable access to vaccinations on a global scale.
- We have worked diligently to raise awareness and resources for the preservation of our national parks and the conservation of natural resources.
- We have staunchly advocated for clean water and air in all communities.
As GFWC continues its successful trajectory of grassroots advocacy, we proudly highlight over 14,000 legislative actions aimed at prompting Congress to address crucial issues such as domestic violence, women’s suffrage, veterans’ rights, and vaccination initiatives, among others.
Current Legislative Efforts
Anti-trafficking
In early July 2024, GFWC proudly co-signed an anti-trafficking coalition letter urging the Senate to enact the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA, H.R. 5856) which is a foundational piece of anti-trafficking legislation because it governs the federal government’s comprehensive response to human trafficking. The bill was approved by the House of Representatives in February by a strong bipartisan vote. Importantly, the coalition letter also urges a more comprehensive package by adding the International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (S. 920) recently approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Online Child Safety
In mid-July 2024, the Senate passed a bill supported by GFWC. The Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution (SHIELD) Act sponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Cornyn (R-TX) will establish federal liability for those who share private images without consent, providing federal law enforcement with the tools they need to crack down on serious privacy violations. Current state laws offer incomplete and inconsistent protection for victims of non-consensual image exploitation and abuse, which disproportionately target women and children.
Focus Areas
GFWC works with multiple organizations and advocacy coalitions to urge Congress to pass legislation that protects victims of domestic violence and to significantly increase funding for federal programs that address domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, and reject cuts to these critical programs. View important information concerning violence against women below.
GFWC supports financial stability for victims escaping domestic violence.
SAFER DV Letter
GFWC Supports NTF’s VAWA Appropriation Request.
VAWA FY 2023 Appropriations Letter
GFWC signs NTF letter in support of VAWA Reauthorization. Read the letter below.
VAWA National Sign-on Letter
GFWC International President, Marian Simmons-St.Clair urges the Senate Judiciary Committee to approve the Violence Against Women Act of 2022.
GFWC Letter to Senate Judiciary
The enormity of the youth mental health crisis needs to be addressed as the very real harms of social media are impacting our children today. Taken together, the Kids Online Safety Act and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act would prevent online platforms from exploiting young users’ developmental vulnerabilities and targeting them in unfair and harmful ways.
Kids Online Safety Act
GFWC supports legislation regulating online platforms to protect children from being the victim of sexual exploitation.
Pass Child Protection Legislation
GFWC continues its efforts to ensure that no form of gender discrimination is allowed to stand. Gender equity is not only a fundamental right but is necessary for the economic stability of our nation and for a peaceful, thriving, and sustainable democracy.
The National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality emphasizes that every one of us is equal in dignity and deserves to be treated equally. Read the full strategy below.
National Strategy on Gender Equity (2021)
GFWC joined the ERA Coalition, leaders across the country, and nearly 200 other organizations in asking the Biden-Harris Administration to make the Equal Rights Amendment a priority. GFWC and Twelve State Federations urged Biden administration to make ERA ratification a priority within the first 100 days.
Joint Resolution to Remove ERA Ratification Deadline.
Recent Legislative Successes
FY 2024 Federal Appropriations Finally Finished
During March, Congress finally completed action on the twelve FY 2024 appropriation bills, combining them into two packages gaining bipartisan support, avoiding a government shutdown, and rejecting catastrophic cuts that were to take effect if the measures were not enacted by early April.
VAWA
GFWC focuses its advocacy efforts on funding for programs that prevent domestic violence and sexual assault and support survivors and their families. GFWC urged increased FY 2024 funding for the programs authorized in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Congress provided $713 million, the highest funding level ever, for grants provided by the Office on Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice. While most of the programs received the same amount of funding they received in FY 2023—for the first time—Congress is providing dedicated funding to increase access to Sexual Assault Nurse Exams and to address cybercrimes. The bill also includes $10 million to incentivize states to adopt laws that protect the rights of sexual assault survivors.
The appropriations bill provides $51.5 million to support the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, which is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and supports multi-disciplinary community response teams tasked with developing and implementing comprehensive reform regarding sexual assault, including reducing the backlog of rape kits at law enforcement agencies. GFWC urged Congress to pass the Debbie Smith Act, which reauthorizes these programs, and provide full funding.
The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) program is funded at $1.4 billion, a $153 million increase over the President’s FY 2024 budget request and earlier versions of the House and Senate appropriations bills. Still, it will constitute a roughly $630 million cut to FY 2024 VOCA grants for local domestic violence and sexual assault programs. The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act programs and the Rape Prevention and Education program at the Department of Health and Human Services, and the injury prevention programs at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) all received level funding.
Food Insecurity
In the FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, Congress enacted full funding for nutrition programs, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Child Nutrition Program which includes the school lunch program, school breakfast program, and the Summer EBT program to ensure schools can continue to serve healthy meals to all eligible children. Utilizing our GFWC Legislative Action Center, GFWC urged Congress to strengthen these programs in the Farm Bill and provide full funding.
OUR IMPACT
GFWC members vary in age, talents, location, background, and profession, but are united in their dedication to actively improve the lives of others.
60,000+
members in affiliated clubs in every state
2,300
existing volunteer clubs across the globe
100+
founded in 1890, GFWC has over a century of history