​The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is one of the world’s oldest and largest women’s volunteer service organizations. We are dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.  GFWC is a vibrant and connected sisterhood of women who are creating better communities, expanding their own possibilities, and extending friendship and support to women all over the world.  GFWC encourages lifelong learning for members, challenging them to identify and explore their personal passions, and provides leadership training and support to women to achieve positions of power in their clubs, communities, and careers.  GFWC connects and directs the energy, ideas, and outreach of clubs to create a strong network of national influence.  From women’s health and equality to global poverty and international rights of women and children, GFWC members’ talents and interests are used to enhance the lives of their neighbors and friends.
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GFWC currently has more than 4,000 clubs in all 50 states and in more than a dozen countries.  Members range from age 12 to age 102.  Our members cross all demographics of age, ethnicity, education, and lifestyle. GFWC Clubwomen find enjoyment, motivation, and companionship across the Federation. GFWC continues to grow and adapt to the changing and diverse lifestyles and concerns of women, and remains one of the strongest and most influential membership organizations in the country. Please visit our International Website at GFWC.org. 

To learn more about GFWC Wyoming's History, you can read "Our Heritage - The Wyoming Federation of Women's Clubs." This book was published in 1976 and tells our story from 1904 to 1976. More history resources will be added soon.
Our Heritage, Part 1
Our Heritage, Part 2

​Founded in 1890, GFWC's roots can be tracked back to 1868 when Jane Cunningham Croly, a professional journalist, attempted to attend a dinner at an all male press club honoring British novelist Charles Dickens. Croly was denied admittance based upon her gender, and in response, formed a woman's club--Sorosis. In celebration of Sorosis' 21st anniversary in 1889, Jane Croley invited women's clubs throughout the United States to pursue the cause of federation by attending a convention in New York City. On April 24, 1890, 63 clubs officially formed the General Federation of Women's Clubs by ratifying the GFWC constitution. 

Since 1890, GFWC's impact has been felt throughout communities across the United States and the globe.

Our original 1928 Certificate of Incorporation and amendments:
​WFCW 1928 Certificate of Incorporation
​WFCW 1932 Certificate of Incorporation
WFCW 1956 Amendment to Articles
WFCW 1978 Amendment to Articles
GFWC Wyoming 1989 Amendment to Articles

Special Programs & Community Service Programs

GFWC has launched its five new Community Service Programs to build upon the difference that the Federation has collectively made throughout the United States- and across the the globe. The Community Service Programs and Special Programs have been re-structured to help clubs light a path for the future and better address the current and upcoming needs of its communities. 

Signature Program: Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention

The Signature Program's goal is to increase awareness of and help prevent the widespread occurrence of violence against women in communities across the nation- and the globe. Areas of focus include intimate Partner Violence, Child Abuse, Teen Dating Violence, Campus Sexual Assault, Elder Abuse, Violence Against Native American Women, Military Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking.

Juniors' Special Program: Advocates for Children

​GFWC Juniors’ Special Program: Advocates for Children is designed to encourage all woman’s, Junior Woman’s, Juniorette, and International Affiliate Clubs to make a difference in the life of a child by being an advocate. The Program was envisioned as a way for clubwomen to provide a voice for children and to teach and encourage parents and other caregivers to advocate for children at the grassroots level.

Arts & Culture Community Service Program

The GFWC Arts and Culture Community Service Program encourages members to promote and support art and cultural programs in their clubs and communities, and to expand understanding on every level, from local and regional to national and international. Our goal is to create projects that include crafts, dance, drama, food, music, and other manifestations of art and culture that develop skills, awareness, and appreciation. It is designed to inspire clubwomen and ignite within them a desire to make the world a more beautiful, thoughtful, and caring place.

Civic Engagement & Outreach Community Service Program

The GFWC Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program reminds GFWC members that each of us is a part of a larger society and is responsible for undertaking actions that will create a better quality of life and foster a sense of community-locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. This Community Service Program highlights and encourages, citizenship; crime prevention, safety, and disaster preparedness; the needy, the hungry, and homeless; and our military personnel and veterans. 

Education and Libraries Community Service Program

We aim to help others, while we also continue to learn. Projects in the Education and Libraries Community Service Program are designed to foster schools, as well as other educational institutions and opportunities. These projects promote libraries, literacy, and the love of a good book. Through these efforts, we encourage the growth of individuals and communities at home and around the world. 

Health & Wellness Community Service Program

The human body, mind, and spirit comprise our health and wellness. To improve our well being, we must address three key components: nutrition, disease prevention, and physical and emotional care. This Community Service Program aims to explore the various opportunities for awareness and advancement of each of these vital areas. 

Environment Community Service Program

​The GFWC Environment Community Service Program encourages us to become stewards of the earth by working to preserve the world's resources, protect wildlife and domesticated animals, live sustainably, and beautify our communities and enjoy nature. Environmental degradation is cumulative and many scientists warn that we are at a tipping point. There is no time like the present to act. 

AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS

​​Past Presidents of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Wyoming

Years President	Name
​1904-07	Mrs. Harriett (F. N.) Shiek
​1907-09	Mrs. Rose (B. F.) Perkins
1909-13	Mrs. Mary (B. B.) Brooks
​1913-17	Mrs. Katherine (R. A.) Morton
​1917-19	Mrs. Clara (S. C.) Parks
1919-23	Mrs. Mattie (Lin) Noble
1923-25	Mrs. LaVaughn (W. V.) Gage
​1925-27	Mrs. Lucy (T. S.) Taliaferro Jr.
​1927-29	Mrs. Dale (Guy J.) Gay
​1929-31	Mrs. Beatrice (E. C.) Raymond
​1931-33	Mrs. Kathryn (A. C.) Meloney
1933-35	Mrs. Hazelle (R. A.) Ferguson
1935-37	Mrs. Grace (E. D.) Morrow
​1937-39	Mrs. Frances (L. H.) Bump
​​1939-41	Mrs. Laura (J. L.) Jordon
​1941-43	Mrs. Mathilde (Walter H.) Smith
​1943-45	Mrs. Frances (D. E.) Gwin
​1945-47	Mrs. Margaret (Fred) Boice Sr.
​1947-49	Mrs. Norma (Paul) Dupertius
​1949-51	Mrs. Maurine (H. T.) Person
​1951-54	Mrs. Mary (John) Slack
1954	Mrs. Beulah (George) Dodge
1954-56	Mrs. Shirley (Fred) Boice Jr.
1956-58	Mrs. Lorene (Duke) Himebaugh
​1958-60	Mrs. Mary (William) Baertsch
1960-62	Mrs. Bess (A. L.) Kendig
​1962-64	Mrs. Gladys (Arthur) Hill
1964-66	Mrs. Mary (Glenn K.) Rogers
1966-68	Mrs. Ruth (Clarke) Gapin
​1968-70	Mrs. Lillian (Reuben O.) Galloway
1970-72	Mrs. Loy (Raymond) Aho
​1972-74	Mrs. Shirley Burdett
​1974-76	Mrs. Jackie Slack
1976-78	Mrs. Ruth Clare Yonkee Johnson
1978-80	Mrs. Ernie Shriner
1980-82	Mrs. Iris Trover
1982-84	Mrs. Janean Jolley
1984-86	Mrs. Patricia Atkinson
1986-88	Mrs. Catherine Hattan Butler
​1988-90	Mrs. Delsa Asay
1990-92	Mrs. Eldora Kongable
1992-94	Mrs. Doris Small
1994-96	Mrs. Shirley McGill
1996-98	Mrs. Kaye Davis
​1998-2000	Mrs. Carol Pralle
​2000-02	Helen Clark
2002-04	Patty Benskin
2004-06	Phyllis Salzburg
2006-08	Edith Miller
2008-10	Bess Stevenson
2010-12	Wendy Owen
2012-14	Pam Crochet
2014-16	Ann Norwood
2016-18	Leslie Jo Gatti
2018-20	Mary Lee Dixon
2020-22	Nancy Kaufman
2022-24	Trish Peoples
2024-2026	Karen Bard