Find out how we got started… it was all because of a MAN!
The GFWC Port St. Lucie Woman’s Club is a member of the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs (GFWC). Their mission as an international women’s organization is dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service and monetary donations. It is a 501 C 3 organization – not for profit.
The GFWC was founded in 1890 when Jane Cunningham Croly, a professional journalist attempted to attend a dinner in an all-male club honoring British novelist Charles Dickens. Croly was denied admittance based on her gender. She formed a woman’s club called Sorosis. 63 Sorosis clubs officially formed the General Federation of Women’s Clubs ratifying the GFWC constitution. Since 1890 the GFWC’s impact has been felt throughout communities across the United States and the globe. The nearly 80,000 members are found in all of the states and in more than a dozen countries. They support the arts, preserve natural resources, advance education, promote healthy lifestyles and encourage civic involvement while working toward world peace and understanding.
The Port St. Lucie Woman’s Club was founded in 1975 and is a 501 C 3 not for profit organization. The club has provided funds for numerous scholarships to IRSC. It provides monetary donations and service hours to Treasure Coast Hospice, Counsel on Aging, and supports Canine Companions. This is a national 501 C 3 that breeds, raises, trains and places (for free) service dogs for many children, adults and veterans with disabilities.
The club supports a number of Affiliate Organizations: St. Judes Hospital, United Nations Shot @ Life campaign, March of Dimes, Heifer International (empowering women who work on small scale farms in many countries) , Operation Smile, UNICEF (a global support system for the world’s children for health care, immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief).
GFWC promotes a number of Signature Programs that include but are not limited to domestic and sexual violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking.
GFWC encourages participation in five Community Service Programs which include Arts and Culture, Civic Engagement and Outreach, Education and Libraries, Environment, Health, and Wellness. GFWC Port St. Lucie Woman’s Club develops and implements projects and events within these categories that will provide service hours and monetary donations to help our local community, state, nation, and other countries such as the Ukraine.