Founded in 1984, the GFWC Women’s History and Resource Center (WHRC) collects, preserves, interprets, and promotes the history of GFWC. The WHRC documents the social and political contributions of GFWC clubwomen from 1890 to the present through the GFWC archives and related special collections. Our holdings are available for research by clubwomen, academics, and the general public.
The WHRC collections encompass GFWC’s institutional archives, including convention records, files related to our programs and leadership, and “Clubwoman” magazine (and its predecessors). We hold a robust photograph and audio-visual collection, as well as GFWC ephemera, memorabilia, and the art and artifacts that furnish our historic Headquarters building. We also maintain a reference library collection focused on women’s history, the woman’s club movement, and the history of volunteerism.
Please note: While we do have many state- and club-level archival and photographic materials, we do not maintain official records for State Federations or local clubs, or for outside organizations.
WHRC: From the Archives
Cooking for the Community Welcome back to the GFWC Women’s History and Resource Center blog! T…
WHRC: From the Archives
Freddie Hilp and the GFWC Overseas Unit Welcome back to our new monthly blog series, direct from the…
WHRC: From the Archives
Welcome! Welcome, readers, to our new monthly blog series, direct from the GFWC Women’s History and …
Research at the WHRC
Learn more about the collections, request research assistance, or make an appointment to visit in person. To inquire about a potential donation, please email us with details: whrc@gfwc.org
LEARN MOREI was invited to the Frederick (MD) Woman’s Civic Club’s November meeting today, to share a little info about the WHRC, our collections, and GFWC history. Plus I got a delicious lunch and, best of all, a tour of their historic clubhouse. Thanks for having me, @frederickwomanscivic !!
I was invited to the Frederick (MD) Woman’s Civic Club’s November meeting today, to share a little info about the WHRC, our collections, and GFWC history. Plus I got a delicious lunch and, best of all, a tour of their historic clubhouse. Thanks for having me, @frederickwomanscivic !!
The 15th coin in the American Women Quarters Program (issued 2024) honors Zitkala-Ša, a Yankton Dakota author, musician, and activist who also went by her Americanized name, Gertrude Simmons Bonnin. Although not necessarily a GFWC clubwoman herself (though she belonged to many like-minded groups), Zitkala-Ša had a major impact on the work of the Federation!
In 1921, she was invited to speak on citizenship rights for Native Americans at the General Federation of Women`s Clubs` Council meeting in Salt Lake City. Her presentation led directly – at that meeting, in fact – to the formation of the GFWC "Indian Welfare" committee, which worked for many decades – often under the leadership, at both state and national levels, of Native American women – to advocate for Native American communities across the United States.
📷 Author photo from "American Indian Stories" by Zitkala-Ša, 1921, overlaid with quotation from the 1946 GFWC brochure "Twenty-Five Years: Indian Welfare": "If any one person can be credited with the creation of Indian Welfare in the General Federation of Women`s Clubs, that person is Gertrude Bonnin, a Sioux Indian. Her plea, her cause, aroused two million women."
#nativeamericanheritagemonth #clubwomeninhistory
The 15th coin in the American Women Quarters Program (issued 2024) honors Zitkala-Ša, a Yankton Dakota author, musician, and activist who also went by her Americanized name, Gertrude Simmons Bonnin. Although not necessarily a GFWC clubwoman herself (though she belonged to many like-minded groups), Zitkala-Ša had a major impact on the work of the Federation!
In 1921, she was invited to speak on citizenship rights for Native Americans at the General Federation of Women`s Clubs` Council meeting in Salt Lake City. Her presentation led directly – at that meeting, in fact – to the formation of the GFWC "Indian Welfare" committee, which worked for many decades – often under the leadership, at both state and national levels, of Native American women – to advocate for Native American communities across the United States.
📷 Author photo from "American Indian Stories" by Zitkala-Ša, 1921, overlaid with quotation from the 1946 GFWC brochure "Twenty-Five Years: Indian Welfare": "If any one person can be credited with the creation of Indian Welfare in the General Federation of Women`s Clubs, that person is Gertrude Bonnin, a Sioux Indian. Her plea, her cause, aroused two million women."
#nativeamericanheritagemonth #clubwomeninhistory
Enjoying the General Federation of Women`s Clubs history you can find here, but wish you could read more (and see even more photos)? Me too! Happily, the GFWC Women`s History and Resource Center has a new monthly blog, where yours truly can expand on the many stories that can be found amongst our resources. Head to the link in our bio (and scroll down to "Latest News") to read "WHRC: From the Archives," published on the first Thursday of every month.
Just in time for your Thanksgiving menu planning, the November post focuses on our cookbook collection, including this gem – submitted by future GFWC President Roberta Campbell Lawson – from the 1928 "Club Woman`s Cook Book." Get out your double boilers!
#clubwomeninhistory #blogsareback
Enjoying the General Federation of Women`s Clubs history you can find here, but wish you could read more (and see even more photos)? Me too! Happily, the GFWC Women`s History and Resource Center has a new monthly blog, where yours truly can expand on the many stories that can be found amongst our resources. Head to the link in our bio (and scroll down to "Latest News") to read "WHRC: From the Archives," published on the first Thursday of every month.
Just in time for your Thanksgiving menu planning, the November post focuses on our cookbook collection, including this gem – submitted by future GFWC President Roberta Campbell Lawson – from the 1928 "Club Woman`s Cook Book." Get out your double boilers!
#clubwomeninhistory #blogsareback
Happy Veterans Day! Today we honor GFWC members who have served in the military, such as Lt. Lee Crippen (1912-2003). Before her many years of GFWC leadership as President of the Woman`s Club of Bethesda (MD), President of the Maryland Federation of Women`s Clubs, and on staff as Executive Secretary at GFWC Headquarters, she served in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Service), the Women`s branch of the US Naval Reserve, during World War II. She is buried at Arlington Cemetery, with her gravestone proudly noting, "Lt. US Navy."
📷Left: In 1946, Caroline Lee McNeill married John T. Crippen; the photo in the Washington Evening Star wedding announcement showed her in uniform.
📷Right: Lee was hired as GFWC Executive Secretary in 1974; this headshot accompanied her many columns and articles in "Clubwoman" magazine.
We are always looking for more stories of GFWC clubwomen who served, or are serving, in the military. Leave a comment, or send an email to whrc@gfwc.org!
#clubwomeninaction @womansclubofbethesda
Happy Veterans Day! Today we honor GFWC members who have served in the military, such as Lt. Lee Crippen (1912-2003). Before her many years of GFWC leadership as President of the Woman`s Club of Bethesda (MD), President of the Maryland Federation of Women`s Clubs, and on staff as Executive Secretary at GFWC Headquarters, she served in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Service), the Women`s branch of the US Naval Reserve, during World War II. She is buried at Arlington Cemetery, with her gravestone proudly noting, "Lt. US Navy."
📷Left: In 1946, Caroline Lee McNeill married John T. Crippen; the photo in the Washington Evening Star wedding announcement showed her in uniform.
📷Right: Lee was hired as GFWC Executive Secretary in 1974; this headshot accompanied her many columns and articles in "Clubwoman" magazine.
We are always looking for more stories of GFWC clubwomen who served, or are serving, in the military. Leave a comment, or send an email to whrc@gfwc.org!
#clubwomeninaction @womansclubofbethesda
It`s Election Day, and it`s time to vote! Vote! VOTE! (If you haven`t already!)
📃"Our Responsibility, Our Privilege, Our Duty" brochure, urging our club members to ensure that all eligible voters (especially women) are educated and engaged voters. Published by the GFWC Citizenship Division, Department of Public Affairs, during the administration of GFWC President Helen Busch Chapman, 1954. Programs collection: PRO 1954-1956, folder 37
It`s Election Day, and it`s time to vote! Vote! VOTE! (If you haven`t already!)
📃"Our Responsibility, Our Privilege, Our Duty" brochure, urging our club members to ensure that all eligible voters (especially women) are educated and engaged voters. Published by the GFWC Citizenship Division, Department of Public Affairs, during the administration of GFWC President Helen Busch Chapman, 1954. Programs collection: PRO 1954-1956, folder 37
The November #archiveshashtagparty focuses on veterans, so let`s give a hearty #archivessalute to the women of World War II with the February 1943 issue of "General Federation Clubwoman." Lieutenant Commander Mildred H. McAfee, Director of the WAVES, featured on the cover of this "Women at War" edition, which included articles such as the Women`s Army Auxiliary Corps, "by a WAAC;" the Women`s Reserve of the United States Naval Reserve, "by a WAVE;" Women with the US Army Air Forces, by Hazel Taylor; Women of the Coast Guard, by Lieutenant Commander Dorothy C. Stratton; the American Women`s Voluntary Services, by Pan Levin; and National Nursing Council for War Service, by Florence M. Seder.
As our President, Sara A. Whitehurst, noted in her introduction to this special issue, "we cannot win this war without the cooperation of women"–and we didn`t mean only on the home front.
The November #archiveshashtagparty focuses on veterans, so let`s give a hearty #archivessalute to the women of World War II with the February 1943 issue of "General Federation Clubwoman." Lieutenant Commander Mildred H. McAfee, Director of the WAVES, featured on the cover of this "Women at War" edition, which included articles such as the Women`s Army Auxiliary Corps, "by a WAAC;" the Women`s Reserve of the United States Naval Reserve, "by a WAVE;" Women with the US Army Air Forces, by Hazel Taylor; Women of the Coast Guard, by Lieutenant Commander Dorothy C. Stratton; the American Women`s Voluntary Services, by Pan Levin; and National Nursing Council for War Service, by Florence M. Seder.
As our President, Sara A. Whitehurst, noted in her introduction to this special issue, "we cannot win this war without the cooperation of women"–and we didn`t mean only on the home front.
Still need a costume idea for your Halloween party tomorrow? Why not go as one of our "Centennial figurines," a series produced by Goebel in the 1980s to commemorate the GFWC 100th anniversary? Look how great Barbara Stanford, Centennial Chairman, looks dressed as the "1890-1914" clubwoman! (Swipe to see all four figurines in their original form.)
📸Barbara Stanford in one of the costumes designed to represent the Centennial figures (yes, we have outfits that go with all four), 1982.
Still need a costume idea for your Halloween party tomorrow? Why not go as one of our "Centennial figurines," a series produced by Goebel in the 1980s to commemorate the GFWC 100th anniversary? Look how great Barbara Stanford, Centennial Chairman, looks dressed as the "1890-1914" clubwoman! (Swipe to see all four figurines in their original form.)
📸Barbara Stanford in one of the costumes designed to represent the Centennial figures (yes, we have outfits that go with all four), 1982.
We can`t let #StampCollectingMonth go by without a nod to the GFWC Diamond Jubilee Commemorative postage stamp, designed by New York artist Charles Henry Carter and issued by the United States Post Office in honor of our 75th anniversary in 1966.
The WHRC stamp collection might be hyper-focused on just the one design, but we have a lot of them: loose stamps, full sheets, and first day covers, not to mention plenty of planning correspondence, event programs, magazine articles, and even two of the rejected designs. (Sounds like this topic needs a blog post…)
💌Diamond Jubilee 5 cent stamp first day cover, addressed to the GFWC Archives (before we had a WHRC) under the care of Mildred White Wells. Donated by the family of International Past President Margaret Hasebroock (1964-1966), who presided over the Diamond Jubilee. Memorabilia collection, 1998.009
#clubwomeninhistory
We can`t let #StampCollectingMonth go by without a nod to the GFWC Diamond Jubilee Commemorative postage stamp, designed by New York artist Charles Henry Carter and issued by the United States Post Office in honor of our 75th anniversary in 1966.
The WHRC stamp collection might be hyper-focused on just the one design, but we have a lot of them: loose stamps, full sheets, and first day covers, not to mention plenty of planning correspondence, event programs, magazine articles, and even two of the rejected designs. (Sounds like this topic needs a blog post…)
💌Diamond Jubilee 5 cent stamp first day cover, addressed to the GFWC Archives (before we had a WHRC) under the care of Mildred White Wells. Donated by the family of International Past President Margaret Hasebroock (1964-1966), who presided over the Diamond Jubilee. Memorabilia collection, 1998.009
#clubwomeninhistory
Just dropping in this October to remind you and your loved ones to go ahead and schedule that mammogram, if applicable! Early detection saves lives!
GFWC was on the forefront of this recommendation, urging our members in early 1975 to learn about breast cancer, make self-examinations a regular part of their lives, and participate in the American Cancer Society-National Cancer Institute "demonstration program" studying the efficacy of mammography and thermography. (According to their website, the American Cancer Society officially recommended mammography in 1976.)
GFWC`s resolution no. 170-020, in favor of breast cancer education, diagnosis, and treatment was first approved at the 1986 convention. It has been updated as needed and reaffirmed many times since then, including at this past summer`s convention.
📷"GFWC Clubwoman`s Complete Program of the Month: Lifesaving Facts About Breast Cancer," from the January 1975 issue of "Clubwoman" Magazine
#ʙʀᴇᴀsᴛᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀᴀᴡᴀʀᴇɴᴇss #earlydetectionsaveslives
Just dropping in this October to remind you and your loved ones to go ahead and schedule that mammogram, if applicable! Early detection saves lives!
GFWC was on the forefront of this recommendation, urging our members in early 1975 to learn about breast cancer, make self-examinations a regular part of their lives, and participate in the American Cancer Society-National Cancer Institute "demonstration program" studying the efficacy of mammography and thermography. (According to their website, the American Cancer Society officially recommended mammography in 1976.)
GFWC`s resolution no. 170-020, in favor of breast cancer education, diagnosis, and treatment was first approved at the 1986 convention. It has been updated as needed and reaffirmed many times since then, including at this past summer`s convention.
📷"GFWC Clubwoman`s Complete Program of the Month: Lifesaving Facts About Breast Cancer," from the January 1975 issue of "Clubwoman" Magazine
#ʙʀᴇᴀsᴛᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀᴀᴡᴀʀᴇɴᴇss #earlydetectionsaveslives
The WHRC was saddened to learn of the death of Lilly Ledbetter, whose fight for an equitable salary led to the landmark, bipartisan Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009.
Ms. Ledbetter, a member of Jacksonville, Alabama`s GFWC Progressive Study Club, spoke to the GFWC Board of Directors in 2008 to help prepare them for a day of advocacy on the Hill: thanking those Senators who were in favor of the Fair Pay Act, and urging others to reconsider their opposition votes. The Act was signed into law in January 2009.
In 2021, Ms. Ledbetter spoke at the GFWC Annual Convention. If you have memories of the 2008 or 2021 events, please share them with us!
Our heartfelt sympathies with her family. Thank you for your dedication to the fight, Lilly Ledbetter!
📙Cover of "GFWC Clubwoman," December 2008/January 2009, honoring Ledbetter`s fight.
#equalpayforequalwork #clubwomeninaction
The WHRC was saddened to learn of the death of Lilly Ledbetter, whose fight for an equitable salary led to the landmark, bipartisan Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009.
Ms. Ledbetter, a member of Jacksonville, Alabama`s GFWC Progressive Study Club, spoke to the GFWC Board of Directors in 2008 to help prepare them for a day of advocacy on the Hill: thanking those Senators who were in favor of the Fair Pay Act, and urging others to reconsider their opposition votes. The Act was signed into law in January 2009.
In 2021, Ms. Ledbetter spoke at the GFWC Annual Convention. If you have memories of the 2008 or 2021 events, please share them with us!
Our heartfelt sympathies with her family. Thank you for your dedication to the fight, Lilly Ledbetter!
📙Cover of "GFWC Clubwoman," December 2008/January 2009, honoring Ledbetter`s fight.
#equalpayforequalwork #clubwomeninaction
It`s #WorldEggDay! Our Affiliate Organization, @heiferinternational, is celebrating this annual event and we`re happy to help promote the importance of eggs to communities around the world.
For the WHRC contribution to the day, we`re taking the egg theme in another direction. Please enjoy this eggery craft from the collection, celebrating GFWC`s contribution to the restoration of Independence Hall in the early 1950s. Sadly we don`t have records indicating the maker or donor – if your state federation has a story about the beautiful little goose (?) egg you gave to Headquarters, please let me know! – but it`s a delightful little piece all the same.
🦅🐣 4.5" tall egg, mounted and decorated with ribbon, transfer images of patriotic symbols, and a gold eagle, circa 1954. From the GFWC memorabilia collection.
It`s #WorldEggDay! Our Affiliate Organization, @heiferinternational, is celebrating this annual event and we`re happy to help promote the importance of eggs to communities around the world.
For the WHRC contribution to the day, we`re taking the egg theme in another direction. Please enjoy this eggery craft from the collection, celebrating GFWC`s contribution to the restoration of Independence Hall in the early 1950s. Sadly we don`t have records indicating the maker or donor – if your state federation has a story about the beautiful little goose (?) egg you gave to Headquarters, please let me know! – but it`s a delightful little piece all the same.
🦅🐣 4.5" tall egg, mounted and decorated with ribbon, transfer images of patriotic symbols, and a gold eagle, circa 1954. From the GFWC memorabilia collection.
Did you know that National Newspaper Week has been celebrated annually since 1940? We don`t have many historic newspapers in the WHRC collections (barring the clippings that fill our GFWC Presidential scrapbooks), but we often rely on them for our club history research.
Shown here is a photo that was in our "unidentified" file until yesterday, when I was able to match the "Property of" name at the bottom – Grace G. Chesney of Antioch – with her club, thanks to some genealogy work … and to Mrs. Chesney`s newspaper obituary, which conveniently identified her as "a Past President of The Antioch Woman`s Club." Since the national GFWC archives contain very little in the way of individual club membership rosters, newspaper obituaries are one of the best ways to connect a club member with a club name.
📷 Members of what is now the GFWC Woman`s Club of Antioch, California, on an outing to the "Summit of Mt. Diablo, Calif.," circa 1935. "Property of Grace G. Chesney, Antioch, Calif." Club photo collection, CP CA 076.
@gfwccalifornia
#nationalnewspaperweek #clubwomeninhistory
#identifiedphotosarethebestphotos
Did you know that National Newspaper Week has been celebrated annually since 1940? We don`t have many historic newspapers in the WHRC collections (barring the clippings that fill our GFWC Presidential scrapbooks), but we often rely on them for our club history research.
Shown here is a photo that was in our "unidentified" file until yesterday, when I was able to match the "Property of" name at the bottom – Grace G. Chesney of Antioch – with her club, thanks to some genealogy work … and to Mrs. Chesney`s newspaper obituary, which conveniently identified her as "a Past President of The Antioch Woman`s Club." Since the national GFWC archives contain very little in the way of individual club membership rosters, newspaper obituaries are one of the best ways to connect a club member with a club name.
📷 Members of what is now the GFWC Woman`s Club of Antioch, California, on an outing to the "Summit of Mt. Diablo, Calif.," circa 1935. "Property of Grace G. Chesney, Antioch, Calif." Club photo collection, CP CA 076.
@gfwccalifornia
#nationalnewspaperweek #clubwomeninhistory
#identifiedphotosarethebestphotos