The History of GFWC in Montana

MONTANA BECAME A PART OF GFWC IN 1904

For more than 120 years, Montana clubwomen have been making a difference in their communities though volunteer service, leadership, and civic engagement. Montana joined the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1904 when twelve local women's clubs united to form the Montana Federation of Women's Clubs. What began as a small netork of dedicated women quickly grew into a statewide movement focused on education, literacy, community improvement, and advocacy.  

GFWC Montana is organized into three districts—Western, Central, and Eastern—connecting clubs from every corner of the state. While each district reflects the unique character and needs of its communities, all Montana clubwomen share a common commitment to service, leadership, and improving the lives of others. Through local projects, scholarships, partnerships, and volunteer efforts, Montana clubs continue a proud tradition of making a lasting impact.  

Throughout its history, GFWC Montana has supported countless statewide projects, including library initiatives, children's programs, health and wellness efforts, suicide prevention awareness, support for foster youth, historic preservation projects, children's hospitals, and programs serving individuals and families in need. The organization has remained dedicated to meeting the changing needs of Montana communities while honoring its rich legacy of volunter service.  

From the Bitterroot Valley to the Hi-Line, from the plains of Eastern Montana to the mountain communities of the west, GFWC Montana members continue to embody the spirit of volunteerism that has defined the organization since 1904. United by service and strengthened by friendship, Montana clubwomen are building stronger communities for future generations.  The purpose of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Montana is to unite women’s clubs around the state in order to enhance community service efforts throughout our state. We are professional women, homemakers, teachers, elected officials, business owners, students, retirees, wives, mothers, and single women. Our clubs are very diverse in age as well as agendas and interest. We have a wide variety of meeting times and programs. We meet in homes, in clubrooms, in public buildings, senior centers, and in libraries.

In 1904 twelve clubs banded together to form the Montana Federation of Women’s Clubs. Early records show that the still active GFWC Deer Lodge Woman’s Club, organized in 1890, was the first woman’s club organized in Montana.

Montana’s first state convention was held in Butte in 1905, with State President Mrs. H. Mitchell of Great Falls reporting on our first year. The Federation had grown with 32 clubs attending the convention. Mobile and local libraries were major projects supported by all.

The state official seal was adopted during the 1962-1964 administration with the official colors of copper and green; official bird, the meadowlark; and the official flower, the bitterroot.

Some of our projects over the past 48 years:

The CARE Project – Caring for those who care for us

Suicide Prevention and Awareness

Youth Equip – support foster care children as they age out

Montana Hope Project – MT Highway Patrol wishes for ill children

Helping Hearts Project St Patrick’s Hospital

Montana Talking Book Library- new recording booth

Cancer Family Network

Chapel at Galen

W.H.A.L.E. Project – Child Safety Seat Occupant Program

Intermountain Children’s Home Playground at Helena

Chapel at Warms Springs

Restoration projects at the Governor’s Mansion

Braille Trail at School for Deaf and Blind in Great Falls

Communications system for Eastmont Training Facility in Glendive

Hope Ranch Children’s Home Recreation room in Poplar

Fort Peck Indian Reservation

Northern Rockies Cancer Treatment Center in Billings

Shodair Children’s Hospital Allergy center in Helena

Raised funds for ‘Prevention of Child Abuse’

Portable monitors for children with heart disease

‘Speak Typewriter’ for blind

Rejuvenation of local libraries

Stained Glass Windows Restoration of the State Capitol Rotunda

Participant in ‘Montana Promise’

Library Improvements 

Veterans

A wide variety of projects in Signature Program: Domestic Violence and Sexual Awareness and Prevention, Juniors Special Program: Advocates for Children, Arts and Culture, Civic Engagement and Outreach, Education and Libraries, Environment, and Health and Wellness address issues of importance to our communities, state, nation, and world. With ‘Unity In Diversity’ as our motto, our clubs are free to choose programs and projects suitable to their interests and their communities’ needs.

GFWC has come a long way since 1868.  We are still going strong.