History of the Naples Junior Woman's Club

The Naples Junior Woman's Club is part of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, the largest organization of women's clubs in the world.

General Federation of Women's Clubs

The GFWC has been credited with establishing 75% of America's public libraries. GFWC was also credited with the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. In 1949, General Marshall personally attended GFWC convention to say that the Marshall Plan would never have been passed had it not been for the support of the General Federation of Women's Clubs.

History of the General Federation of Women's Clubs

Mrs. Jane Cunningham Croly, a newspaperwoman with the New York World, writing under the name "Jennie June," wanted to attend a banquet to honor Charles Dickens. Mrs. Croly was told she could not attend because she was a woman. Angered, she decided to found a club for women only to "manage its own affairs…represent the active interests of women, and create a bond of friendship between them."
On April 24, 1890, the first president of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs addressed the delegates by saying, "We look for unity, but unity in diversity; we hope that you will enrich us by your varied experience, and let us pledge ourselves to work for a common cause, the cause of united womanhood throughout the world." During the organizations 97-year history, the uniqueness of the advocacy of individual club interests rather than a common organization emphasis remains. Epitimized by its motto, "Unity in diversity," the purpose of the GFWC is simply to unite women's clubs to enhance community service efforts by volunteers throughout the world. Chartered by the United States Congress and signed by President William McKinley in 1901, the primary interest of this infant organization was in the area of education—education for its members, education for its communities, education throughout the country.
Pictures in the archives of the GFWC in its headquarters in Washington, D.C. depict an open wagon pulled by two horses driven by one or two ladies on the American frontier. The wagon is piled high with books and travels from town to town on its mobile education mission. Mrs. Mildred C. Ahlgren, an expert on the organization’s history and caretaker of its archives, said, "That’s why the GFWC has been publicly credited with establishing 75% of America’s more than 14,000 public libraries." "Furthermore," Mrs. Ahlgren continues, "The General Federation of Women’s Clubs has been called upon frequently over its history by Presidents of the United States and their administrations for assistance in various capacities."

Florida Federation of Women's Clubs

We are also part of the Florida Federation of Women's Clubs, as state division of the GFWC. As federation members, we attend conventions twice a year where we meet with clubs from all over Florida to share ideas for every aspect of club activities, and submit reports on our own activities.

Naples Woman's Club

The Naples Woman's Club is the club we are affiliated with. They generously allow us to use their club house for meetings and partner with us on projects though out the year. They started the first library in Collier County and began the visiting nurses program.

Bylaws are available upon request.

---