Clubwomen: The General Federation of Women's Clubs

In 1890, many of the moderate women’s clubs around the country came together to form the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC). The GFWC included reform clubs, alumnae clubs, health associations, mother’s clubs, and household economics groups. The GFWC developed an extensive hierarchy at the local, state, and national levels. It hosted state, regional, and national conventions. In general, it brought together women’s clubs from across the nation to share expertise and undertake coordinated campaigns.

Other groups similar to the GFWC include the National Council of Jewish Women, founded in 1890 by Hanna G. Solomon of Chicago, and the National Association of Colored Women (NACW), also founded in 1890. By 1916, the NACW served as an umbrella organization for 1,000 clubs composed of 50,000 members.

Float of the Florida Federation of Women's Clubs in the Centennial Parade, Tallahassee, Florida, 1924, Florida Photographic Collection, Rc20356

View a pictorial history of the General Federation of Women's Clubs