General Federation of Women’s Clubs – Charlotte
(GFWC - Charlotte)
WHO ARE WE?
The Charlotte Woman’s Club (now GFWC – Charlotte) organized in 1887 as a literary club to “enhance the status of the individual woman.” It became part of an international organization – GFWC – in 1890. Today there are over one million members in the US and in 20 countries – Charlotte’s Club has over 100 members. This organization of community-based volunteer women’s clubs is dedicated to community service. GFWC programs and projects encompass the major issues of our time.
WHAT DO WE DO?
Unlike most of today’s single-issue organizations, GFWC, through its five departments, has programs in Arts & Culture, Civic Engagement & Outreach, Education & Libraries, Environment, Health & Wellness. This structure allows us to address the emerging needs of individual communities.
For example, GFWC – Charlotte is locally involved with such programs as Reading is FUNdamental (RIF), Youth Mentoring, Mobile Meals, City Beautification, the Court House Square Association, placing defibrillators in the Charlotte Public Schools and Eaton Area Senior Center, providing scholarships to students, providing “Kind News” to classroom teachers, helping with school and public elections, and promoting women's health. In addition, we have had a choir since 1975 which performs locally and state wide.
At the state level, women from GFWC-Charlotte have always supported women's rights including the right to vote and laws providing protection for women and children. GFWC-Charlotte contributes to Guiding Harbor and Bay Cliff.
Guiding Harbor - Girlstown was founded by the General Federation of Women’s Club of Michigan in 1958. What began as Girlstown, providing quality residential services to young female victims of abuse and neglect, has expanded to include all child victims, and has become Guiding Harbor. Bay Cliff Health Camp is a non-profit, non-denominational summer therapy center located on 170 acres of land along Lake Superior near Big Bay in Marquette County. It serves physically handicapped children ranging in age from 3 through 17.
At the national level, GFWC has, for example, been responsible for the establishment of 75% of America's public libraries. Our representative in Washington DC alerts our members to legislation that impacts women and children.
Internationally, we support Heifer International and Operation Smile. We have a representative that sits on a board at the United Nations.
HOW ARE WE FUNDED?
The members pay dues, our club holds fundraisers, and we are also supplemented with product sales, such as jewelry and candy/nuts. We are sponsoring the SIREN Holiday Tea to raise funds for SIREN and our projects.
WHERE CAN YOU GET MORE INFORMATION?
We thank those who help sponsor and donate to these projects. For more information, contact Linda Foster (517-543-3041), ed@fosterdvm.com
If you are interested in joining GFWC-Charlotte, contact Pam Jarvi at prj.vmj@sbcglobal.net - Membership Chair.
