The Part Taken by Women in American History/Federation of Women Clubs
Federation of Women's Clubs.
This organization represents 850,000 members. No other organization of women in the world represents such a powerful and active militant movement for social betterment. The Sorosis of New York and the Woman's Club of Boston have long been rivals in their claim of being the oldest organization in the United States. Each was founded in 1868, but it has been decided that the Ladies' Library Society, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, deserves this honor. It was founded in 1852, and the Minerva Club, of New Harmony, Indiana, was organized in 1859. The Sorosis, however, was the leader of the federation movement and is responsible for broadening the scope of women's club work. The first biennial convention of the General Federation of Women's Clubs was held in Philadelphia, in 1894. Every state in the Union has its state federation, and there are to-day organizations in the Canal Zone and our insular possessions. Almost every one of the five thousand clubs has taken up some measure of active interest. The subject of home economics has been one of the principal issues for club work throughout the United States. Perhaps no other organization in the country represents a greater force for good than the General Federation of Women's Clubs.