Photograph from the Woman’s History and Resource Center
in Washington DC.
GFWC of Montana was 10 years old in
1914.
Donated in 1990 by Marge Ulrich
(GFWC Helena Woman's
Club). The photo is of the 10th annual
meeting
of the
Montana Federation of Women's Clubs in Lewistown.
Who we are
The purpose of the General
Federation of Women's Clubs of Montana is to
unite women's clubs around the state in order to
enhance community service efforts throughout our
state. We are professional women,
homemakers, teachers, elected officials,
business owners, students, retirees, wives,
mothers, and single women.
Our clubs are very diverse in
age as well as agendas and interest. We have a
wide variety of meeting times and programs. We
meet in homes, in clubrooms, in public
buildings, senior centers, and in libraries.
Our history
In 1904 twelve clubs banded
together to form the Montana Federation of
Women's Clubs. Early records show that the still
active GFWC Deer Lodge Woman's Club, organized
in 1890, was the first woman's club organized in
Montana.
Montana's first state
convention was held in Butte in 1905, with Mrs.
H. Mitchell of Great Falls elected as our first
state president.
The state official seal was
adopted during the 1962-1964 administration with
the official colors of copper and green;
official bird, the meadowlark; and the official
flower, the bitterroot.
Our record
Notable projects from GFWC of
Montana:
-
Chapel at Galen
-
Restoration projects at
the Governor's Mansion in Helena
-
Braille Trail at School
for Deaf and Blind in Great Falls
-
Communications system for
Eastmont Training Facility in Glendive
-
Recreation room for Hope
Ranch Children's Home, Poplar
-
Fort Peck Indian
Reservation
-
Fundraising for Northern
Rockies Cancer Treatment Center in Billings
-
Allergy center at Shodair
Children's Hospital in Helena
-
Raised funds for
'Prevention of Child Abuse'
-
Portable monitors for
children with heart disease
-
'Speak Typewriter' for
blind
-
Rejuvenation of local
libraries
-
Restoration of the
historic stained glass windows in the dome
of the state capitol rotunda
-
Participant in 'Montana's
Promise'
-
Raised funds for a
playground at Intermountain Children's Home
in Helena.
What we do
Education, Home Life,
International Affairs, and Public Affairs to
address issues of importance to our communities,
state, nation, and world. With 'Unity In
Diversity' as our motto, our clubs are free to
choose programs and projects suitable to their
interests and their communities' needs.
We tackle many issues such as:
-
Personal leadership development
-
Literacy-adults and children
-
Safety of older Americans
-
Women's health concerns
-
Community improvement contests
-
Arts and crafts development
-
Recycling and waste management
-
International understanding
We raise money for:
