The History of the Woman's Club Movement in America

The History of the Woman's Club Movement in America (Volume 1)
By Mrs. J.C. Croly

The need and the value of this history are to be found in the natural character of the woman's club development, as the outgrowth of national conditions, and the cumulative evidence of the woman's ideals and strongest tendencies.

The priceless boon that America gave to women was freedom and opportunity. Up to the last half, it might be said quarter, of the present century", small provision had been made for the education and training of the woman beyond the rudimentary lines. As late as the early seventies no college training was possible to a girl in New York city and many other parts of this country, except under precisely the same conditions as those which existed in Russia; viz., by the special grace of some professor endowed with the human spirit, such as Professor Newberry of Columbia in New York or Dr, Gruber of St, Petersburg.

The club, from the beginning, accomplished two purposes. It provided a means for the acquisition of knowledge, the training of power; and the working of a spirit of human solidarity, a comprehension of the continuity of life: its universal character and interdependence. It is not too much to say that this aspect changed the whole point of view of the woman who came under its influence. Her ideals were elevated, her trust in eternal goodness and its purpose strengthened, and her own possibilities as a social and intellectual force, brought out and gradually moulded into form.

The acceptance of the club as a means of education and development was almost simultaneous throughout the country. Everywhere groups of women were found who eagerly seized the idea and shaped it according to their own conditions and needs. Everywhere also the path has broadened, and larger groups of women have and are working with the same eager enthusiasm toward the still larger life, the greater unity, the "all in all."

Contents:

Introduction

Beginnings of Organization
--Women in Religious Organization
--The Moral Awakening

Representative Clubs
--Sorosis
--New England Woman's Club
--Friends in Council, Quincy, Ill.
--The Fortnightly Club, Chicago
--Chicago Woman's Club
--The Civic Club of Philadelphia
--Working Girls' Clubs

General Federation
--Call
--Founding the General Federation
--Ratification Convention
--Constitution
--By-Laws
--List of Officers and Members
--The Advisory Board
--The First Council
--The Biennial of 1892
--Federation Congress at Chicago
--Biennial of 1894
--A New Departure
--State Federation
--Meeting of the Council at Atlanta
--Third Biennial, 1896
--Department Work
--Social and Other Features...

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