[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5532]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         GENERAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS 125th ANNIVERSARY

 Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, today I rise to pay special 
tribute to the General Federation of Women's Clubs. This year is very 
special as they celebrate their 125th anniversary tomorrow, April 24.
  The General Federation of Women's Clubs is an international women's 
organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives 
of others through volunteer service. It was founded in 1890 when Jane 
Cunningham Croly, a professional journalist, attempted to attend a 
dinner in New York City honoring British novelist Charles Dickens. 
Croly was denied admittance based on her gender. In response, she 
formed a woman's club for the purpose of educating women. In 1889, Jane 
Croly invited women's clubs throughout the United States to pursue the 
cause of a federation by attending a national convention. On April 24, 
1890, 63 clubs officially formed the General Federation of Women's 
Clubs.
  I am very proud to recognize a third-generation clubwoman, Babs J. 
Condon from Westminster, MD, as the 2014-2016 International President 
of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. And, I am very pleased that 
the 2016 international convention will be held in Baltimore next June. 
For the record, there are 34 clubs in Maryland and almost 1,500 club 
members statewide.
  By ``Living the Volunteer Spirit'', clubwomen transform lives each 
day, not simply with monetary donations, but with hands-on, tangible 
projects that provide immediate impact. With nearly 90,000 members in 
affiliated clubs in every State, the District of Columbia, and more 
than a dozen countries, GFWC members work in their own communities to 
support the arts, preserve natural resources, advance education, 
promote healthy lifestyles, encourage civic engagement, and support 
international efforts to feed the hungry, encourage immunizations and 
impact other lifesaving and economic development initiatives.
  GFWC history includes many powerful examples such as advocacy for 
child labor laws, promotion of nationwide outreach that led to passage 
of the Pure Food and Drug Act, and working to pass the Violence Against 
Women Act.
  GFWC has been instrumental in shaping our Nation. As it celebrates a 
history of 125 years, let's hope they continue to build upon their 
traditions and pave the way for a future filled with even greater 
success through volunteerism.

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