When Jane Cunningham Croly, a professional journalist from New York City, was denied admittance to a press dinner honoring British novelist Charles Dickens in 1868, she formed the "Sorosis Club" for women in 1868 to encourage women to expand their rights, improve their skills, and apply with special sensitivity their abilities to improve their lives and communities.  Now 10 million members world-wide, we are the largest group of volunteer women in the world.  Chartered by President William McKinley in 1901, we have been dedicated to community service since 1890 when the Sororis Clubs banded together to form the General Federation of Women's Clubs.   GFWC's motto "Unity in Diversity" truly reflects the many unique clubwomen across our world who work together to better their lives and communities.

Swift Creek is also affiliated with the Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs, which organized in Lynchburg in 1907 and joined GFWC in 1910.  Eight districts comprise the Virginia Federation, with Southside District being the home to Swift Creek as well as 25 other clubs from Colonial Heights south to Emporia and encompassing parts of Suffolk and other communities such as Wakefield, Waverly and Smithfield.  Virginia's motto is "Service, the Debt of Education" and has the same ideals that the GFWC has, although modified to fit each community's needs.  Virginia's Headquarters are in Richmond.  

What we do:

• GFWC is responsible for the establishment of 75% of American's public libraries
  

• 1899, GFWC established the national model for juvenile courts
  

• 1906 turned the tide for the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act
  

• 1911 supported legislation for the eight-hour work day
  

• 1938 supported the first child labor law
  

• 1944 supported equal rights for women and equal responsibilities
  

• 1974 started an alcohol and drug abuse education program for women and children
  

• Support issues such as: women's health (especially in the area of breast cancer research and support systems); illiteracy and child abuse; substance abuse prevention; opportunities for citizens with disabilities; safety for older Americans; international understanding and peace.
  

• Provide community improvements (including beautification, recycling, preserving historic sites)
  

• Special projects:  Camp Easter Seal (Roanoke and Caroline County); Operation Smile (support of reconstructive dental and facial surgery for underprivileged children); MCV Massey Cancer Center in Richmond