Our History

NJSFWC Headquarters. 55 Labor Center Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Founded in 1894, the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs of GFWC (NJSFWC), a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, provides opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service through participation in local clubs, enabling members to make a difference in the lives of others, one project at a time. There are approximately 10,000 members in 203 general clubs, 45 junior clubs, 10 juniorette clubs, and 16 evening membership departments located throughout New Jersey.

Too frequently, women’s clubs’ members are described as privileged, white-gloved women with too much time on their hands. Just the opposite is true. Each member has inherited a history of activism on the community, state, national and international level. Now more than ten years into a second century of community service, we look back with pride at the many accomplishments of our clubs and their members, and know that activism is just as alive and spirited today.

In 1918, the NJSFWC founded the New Jersey College for Women (now Douglass Residential College), and through our scholarships to Douglass students, the Federation continues to support this institution with its strong tradition of training tomorrow’s women leaders.

•  The efforts of the NJSFWC led to the formation of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission to oversee the preservation of the Palisades.

•  In 2003, the Federation was named the Grassroots Organization of the Year by the Highlands Coalition.

•  The New Jersey Library Association granted its “Library Champions Award” to the NJSFWC in 2004, recognizing the federation for the role that it and individual clubs played in the establishment of public libraries in the state, as well as the group’s continued support of libraries.

•  The Federation received widespread recognition for its letter writing campaign to state and Federal legislators which helped secure passage in 2004 of the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act to protect water quality for more than one half of New Jersey's population.

•  Every two years, members throughout the state support a defined special project with fundraising, in-kind donations and public awareness campaigns. Examples of these projects include the Valerie Fund when $226,658 was raised; Canine Companions for Independence, raising almost $190,000; the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and its state-wide affiliates, contributing $140,000; and most recently, contributing cash and in-kind services totaling more than $600,000 to support New Jersey’s domestic violence shelters and their client families.

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, with members in all 50 states and more than a dozen countries. Among the many achievements of our members, GFWC is credited with turning the tide in favor of the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906 (an effort initiated by a New Jersey clubwoman, Alice Leakey of Cranford); founding 75% of the public libraries in the country in the 1930's; campaigning in the 1960's for seatbelts in all cars and streetlights on neighborhood streets; the fulfillment of its commitment to America's Promise by raising and donating over $13.5 million in books and materials to public libraries and public school libraries (1997-2002), continuing GFWC’s traditional support for libraries; and contributing $180,000 for a fully-equipped ambulance for use by the New York Fire Department in response to the loss of equipment suffered during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

Watchtower

Watchtower, honoring the New Jersey State Federations of Women's Clubs.  
Palisades Interstate Park, 1929.

Courtesy, Penny Colman collection.

Several years of lobbying and study by the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs led to the preservation of the Palisades from commercial development and to the creation of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission by New Jersey and New York. This stone watchtower, a replica of ancient watchtowers built on the Rhine River in Germany, was built on the Palisades Cliffs overlooking the Hudson River to honor the successful efforts of the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Club in stopping the quarrying industry from blasting the Palisades Cliffs to pieces. The watchtower was dedicated on April 30, 1929.

The plaque reads:

"This Federation Park and this structure are dedicated to the successful efforts of the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Club and of these men and women who aided in the opening years of the twentieth century in preserving these palisades cliffs from destruction for the glory of God who created them and the ennobling of the generations which may henceforth enjoy them"

The watchtower can be reached via a path that starts at Stateline Lookout on the Palisades Parkway heading North.

Membership Information

As a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC you will have the opportunity to work with women on an international, state and local basis serving the needs of your community. By joining this group, you become a member of the oldest and one of the world's largest women's volunteer organizations, the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC).

Advantages of Membership

•  Leadership development
•  Legislative action programs
•  National and state publications
•  Fellowship and networking
•  Personal growth
•  Group support in accomplishing objectives

What are the benefits of belonging to the Federation?

•    Access to State and National Program guidelines and resource materials
•    Access to State and National websites
•    Access to State and National Headquarters with professional staff
•    Access to the Women's History and Resource Center in Washington, DC
•    Participation in all levels of Federation recognition and awards programs
•    Representation on Capitol Hill and access to GFWC Public Policy Updates and Legislative Alerts
•    Representation on and membership in many State and National organizations and coalitions
•    Access to Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO) honorary educational society
•    Availability of special group insurance programs
•    Access to all levels of Federation educational workshops and training sessions
•    Access to and support from leadership at all levels of Federation
•    Participation in meaningful volunteer community service in a variety of areas
•    Access to leadership training and career enhancement opportunities
•    Friendship and networking opportunities around the state and country
•    Prestige of belonging to one of the world's oldest and largest service organizations

Who Can Join/Types of Membership?

Membership in the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC consists of Women’s Club, Evening membership Departments, Junior Clubs and Juniorette Clubs. There are 183 Women's Clubs, 35 Junior Women's Clubs and 8 Juniorette Clubs spread across the state of New Jersey. Each club is autonomous and sets their membership requirements.

Women’s Clubs are targeted at women over 18 years of age. These clubs are structured for the wide range of ages and interests among their members. Approximately, half of the Women's Clubs meet in the evening with the rest of the clubs meeting during the day. A number of the daytime clubs also have groups which meet in the evenings (Evening Membership Departments).

Junior Women’s Clubs are targeted at women between the ages of 18 and 40 years of age. These clubs meet in the evenings.

The Juniorette Clubs are for girls between the ages of 12 and 18. These clubs are sponsored by either a Woman's Club or Junior Woman’s Club.

For additional information on membership or projects and programs please contact:
membership@njsfwc.org

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY:
Fill in the form below and mail to:
NJSFWC Headquarters
55 Labor Center Way
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901

Membership Form

Or, Save as an attachment and email to membership@njsfwc.org