The North Carolina General Federation of Women’s Clubs, 1903-1937

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: MS-2021-021

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection contains annual programs and yearbooks from The North Carolina General Federation of Women’s Clubs. Annual programs include information on membership, officers, club departments, and a directory of women's club organized by city/county. The yearbooks includes a calendar of events, officers, departments and its departmental leaders, standing committees, a message from the president, minutes, reports, and other miscellaneous information relating to the Federation and its operations. Materials are dated 1903-1937 and arranged in chronological order.

Dates

1903 - 1937

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to the public without restriction. The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to duplicate or publish material from this collection must be obtained from the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Biographical / Historical

GFWC was founded in New York, New York in 1890, and the first state club in North Carolina founded in Winston-Salem on May 25, 1902. The organization has national, state, and local club levels and is governed by a Board of Directors, which includes the President and Junior Director from each state. GFWC encourages networking and has developed a chain of leadership that supports this ideal through trainings, state/national gatherings, and conferences.

GFWC prides itself in dedicating time, energy, and funds to a variety of service areas that enable women and better the communities they serve. In 2000, President Teresa Shaver Lee encouraged women in GFWC-NC to “go light their world” and overcome all discouragement in their communities. This statement supports the mission of GFWC and demonstrates how important it is for the members to radiate positivity in their communities. GFWC-NC leads service projects and trainings in the arts, conservation, education, homelife, outreach, public issues, and leadership.

Clubwoman Magazine, the official GFWC publication, is one of the ways the organization stays in touch with its state clubs and members. In each issue, GFWC promotes regular articles such as a letter from the president, features on members, updates on volunteer/service projects, and upcoming conventions and training opportunities.

Extent

0.41 Linear Feet

0.35 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The General Federation of Women’s Club (GFWC) is one of the world’s largest nondenominational women’s volunteer service organization. As of 2019, there are approximately 140 clubs in North Carolina. GFWC and its state clubs are active in many areas of service, including the arts, conservation, education, homelife, outreach, public issues, and leadership. This organization provides opportunities for women of all ages and backgrounds to develop skills that will advance them in their professional and personal lives. GFWC places heavy focus on volunteerism and community improvement.

This collection contains annual GFWC-NC yearbooks that include information on state club listings, officers, constitution and by-laws, convention programs, study clubs, and other miscellaneous information relating to the organization. Dates in this collection range from 1903-1937.

Arrangement

Collection materials are arranged in chronological order.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The immediate source and date of acquisition for this collection is unknown.

Related Materials

The North Carolina Federation of Women’s Clubs. The North Carolina Clubwoman. (Call Number: NCR 305 N864)

Bibliography

North Carolina General Federation of Women’s Clubs. “What We Do.” GFWC-NC. Accessed March 2019. https://gfwcnc.org/about/

North Carolina General Federation of Women’s Clubs. “GFWC-NC Abridged History.” GFWC-NC. Accessed March 2019. http://www.gfwcnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/6-History-Abridged-18-20.pdf

North Carolina General Federation of Women’s Clubs. “Organization Structure.” GFWC-NC. Accessed March 2019. https://gfwcnc.org/about/organization-structure/

General Federation of Women’s Clubs. “GFWC Clubwoman Magazine.” Accessed March 2019. https://www.gfwc.org/news-publications/clubwoman-magazine/

Condition Description

Materials are in good condition.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of this collection was completed by Sydney Carroll, February 2021.

Subjects

Book clubs (Discussion groups) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Clubs and Organizations Subject Source: Local sources
Education Subject Source: Local sources
GFWC of North Carolina
Leadership Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Programs Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Service learning Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Women--Societies and clubs Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Yearbooks Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings