This year the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) is celebrating its 125th anniversary, and the Woman’s Club of Buckingham County GFWC (WCBC) is celebrating 61 years of “Living the Volunteer Spirit” in Buckingham County.

On Thursday at 2 p.m., Club members and guests will gather at the Arts Center to celebrate the two anniversaries and to share refreshments and make plans for the upcoming Club year. Club President Mary Lohr invites all women in the community to attend.

To mark GFWC’s 125th anniversary, state federations have received proclamations from their governors and mayors, proclaiming April 24 GFWC Day. The organization has produced an anniversary stamp and a series of 125 facts shared daily through social media in the 125 days leading up to April 24. The 125th celebration culminated at GFWC’s annual Convention in Memphis, Tenn., in June of this year.

GFWC’s Signature Project is Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention. It also focuses heavily on veterans’ issues and child advocacy, among a host of other programs. GFWC partners include Canine Companions for Independence, Easter Seals, The Heart Truth®, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY), Inside Knowledge, The Kettering Foundation, March of Dimes, Prevent Child Abuse America, Sew Much Comfort, UNICEF, the U.N. Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign, and USO.

The seeds for GFWC’s existence were sown in New York in 1868 when journalist and founder Jane Cunningham Croly was denied entry because of her gender to a press club dinner honoring author Charles Dickens. On April 24, 1890, 63 clubs officially formed the General Federation of Women’s Clubs by ratifying the GFWC constitution.

In addition to its active support for GFWC’s projects during its 61 years of “Living the Volunteer Spirit” in Buckingham County, WCBC members have raised thousands of dollars to support projects that directly benefit the community.  The short list includes college, 4-H and Art Camp scholarships, maintenance of the Arts Center, support for the county fire and rescue departments, art supplies and other school supplies for Buckingham County schools, an annual literary and art contest and exhibit for students, adults and professional artists in Buckingham. The Club also provides on-going support for the high school after-prom activities, Ellis Acres Memorial Park, Meals on Wheels, and the Patrick Henry Family Services (formerly the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation). 

The Woman’s Club of Buckingham County GFWC was founded in 1954 with the stated objective to promote civic, educational and cultural interests and to be ready at all times to cooperate in any progressive course that vitally affects the community.  Regular membership meetings are held at 2 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, September through May, at the Arts Center in Buckingham Courthouse.  For more information, contact Mary Lohr, 969-2888 or Membership Chair Jackie Fairbarns, 969-4189.