GFWC Woman’s Club of Zephyrhills
The GFWC Woman’s Club of Zephyrhills was organized on November 11, 1915 by fifteen civic-minded ladies, and federated the same year. Through the efforts of Walter R. Gail and Mayor B.F. Parson, The WPA (Works Progress Administration) built the Clubhouse from native rock hauled from a quarry on the Hillsborough River. The Women’s Club first met here in April 18, 1941. Dues in 1915 were one dollar a year. The first President was Mrs. L.N. Gilbert, and the Cherokee rose was selected as the club flower, with moss gray and pink as the club colors.
The original pledge was
“Holding my membership in the Woman’s Club of Zephyrhills worthy of unfailing loyalty, I will sustain its good work and guard its reputation.”
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs was established in 1889. In 1950, GFWC officially divided the country into four regions and in the ensuing years this number was increased to eight encompassing all 52 state federations. It is one of the world’s largest and oldest nonpartisan, nondenominational, women’s volunteer service organizations, was founded in 1890 and chartered by the 56th United States Congress in 1901.
Headquartered in a National Historic Landmark building in Washington, D.C., GFWC has a long history of philanthropy, social and political advocacy, and community leadership.
More than 100,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries work in their own communities to support the arts, preserve natural resources, advance education, promote healthy lifestyles, encourage civic involvement, and work toward world peace and understanding.
In 2006, GFWC and its members raised nearly $32 million on behalf of more than 230,000 projects, and volunteered more than 8.4 million hours.