|
Virginia women have always dared to try, and it was the leaders of ten women's organizations, meeting in the YMCA auditorium in Lynchburg, who created the Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs on May 16, 1907. The Women's Clubs of Lynchburg had sponsored this first meeting and Mrs. James R. Kyle, a member of the club, was elected the first president and is remembered as the "mother" of the federation. An impetus to the formation of the Virginia Federation had been a scheduled meeting of the GFWC Council in Norfolk in June 1907, to coincide with the Jamestown Exposition. From that beginning of ten clubs with a membership of 683 women, there are now 337 clubs with a membership of 15,960. Following the purpose of VFWC, as defined in the bylaws, "to bring into closer unity the Women's Clubs of Virginia in order to promote through their common interests the civic, educational and social welfare of the state, the clubs have had and will continue to have an impact on life in Virginia. The motto of the VFWC is "Service, the Debt of Education," and measures have been supported to establish higher education for women, to provide adequate preparation for teachers of children with learning disabilities, to insure highway safety and beautification, to create prison reform, and to establish better health and welfare procedures. Tangible evidence of the faith and cooperation of federated club women have been the accumulation of monetary gifts through the combined efforts of Federation clubs in excess of $1 million over a period of years. These monies have been applied to mental health research, education, environmental projects, aid for underprivileged and handicapped children, a Bicentennial drams production, the first artmobile project in the world, and equipment for cancer detection and treatment. During 1984-88, VFWC members contributed over $256,295 toward the purchase of a new High-Volt Linear accelerator for cancer treatment at Medical College of Virginia. In August, 1978, VFWC initiated Camp Easter Seal-East with contributions of $600,000, one-half the cost of construction. VA juniors funded a Recreational/ Therapeutic Pool at Camp-East and contributed $166,000 toward a special cover for the pool. 1990-92, $165,000 was contributed toward a new dormitory. In 1990-92, clubwomen contributed over $2 million as they promoted all the VFWC objectives. The main thrust was supporting Operation Smile, a medical mission to Third World Countries. Four VA club members volunteered to serve on medical teams to the Philippines and to Africa. VFWC members contributed $54,000 in supplies and monetary gifts. Noteworthy in the accomplishment in Health was Virginia's being the first state to participate in the GFWC "Canine Companions For Independent Living" program in 1988-90. VFWC members have contributed funds to place five Canine Companions with handicapped Virginians. The Federation has supported scholarships and loans and many clubs offer this kind of support in the club community. The hours of dedicated service of Virginia clubwomen cannot be estimated nor can the impact of the total effort be evaluated. |