CUPERTINO WOMEN'S CLUB
General Federation of Women's Clubs www.GFWC.org
California Federation of Women's Clubs www.CFWC.org
Loma Prieta District No. 9 www.LomaPrieta.org
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CUPERTINO WOMEN'S CLUB
General Federation of Women's Clubs www.GFWC.org California Federation of Women's Clubs www.CFWC.org Loma Prieta District No. 9 www.LomaPrieta.org |
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General Federation of Women's Clubs, California Federation of Women's Club, Loma Prieta District Number 9
Loma Prieta District No. 9 A Member of California Federation of Women's Clubs http://WWW.GFWL.ORG
A Member of General Federation of Women's Clubs http://WWW.CFWC.ORG
General Federation of Women's Clubs, California Federation of Women's Club, Loma Prieta District Number 9
THE GFWC STORY
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), founded in 1890, is the world’s largest nonpartisan, nondenominational women’s volunteer service organization. GFWC traces its roots back to Jane Cunningham Croly, an accomplished New York newspaperwomen, who wrote under the pen name “Jennie June”.
Journalist Jane Cunningham Croly founded the Sorosis club of New York City in 1868. In 1889, she initiated the founding of the Federation by bringing existing clubs together to form a national, mutually supportive organization. In 1994, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. In 1868 Mrs. Croly and other newspaperwomen were denied admittance to a banquet honoring Charles Dickens at the all-male New York Press Club. It was then that she conceived the idea of forming a club for women only, that should manage its own affairs, represent the active interests of women and create a bond of fellowship between them.” The name chosen for this club was Sorosis, a Greek word meaning “an aggregation; a sweat flavor of many fruits, as in the pineapple.” Although the founders originally supposed they were starting a new movement, they became aware over the years of existence of other women’s clubs that had formed independently to meet the needs of women in the expanding country. As Sorois approached its twenty first year, Mrs. Croly proposes a conference in New York that brought together delegates from sixty-one women’s clubs. On the last day of the conference, the women took action to form a permanent organization. A Constitution was adopted in 1890, and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs was born.
Julia Ward Howe, known for her poem "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," was a founder of the New England Woman's Club in 1868, with Caroline M. Severance, and an honorary member of the Sorosis club.
Ella Dietz Clymer, president of Sorosis at the time, gained a particular place of honor in Federation history as the author of the GFWC motto, “Unity in Diversity.” Speaking to the delegates at the first conference, she said: “We look for unity, but unity in diversity. We hope that you will enrich us by your varied experiences…” The aptness of the motto is evident in the diverse interests of GFWC members, who have implemented a broad range of programs and projects tailored to meet the needs of their communities. It set the tone for the flexibility that has allowed GFWC to grow and adapt to the changing and diverse life-styles and concerns of women throughout a century of volunteer work.
Although women’s clubs were founded primarily as a means of self-education and development for women, gradually the emphasis of most local clubs changed to one of community service and improvement. GFWC programmatic areas of activity include the arts, conservation, education, home life, international affairs and public affairs, as well as various special projects. The Federation also has a distinguished record of legislative activity on issues of historical importance: establishment of a national model for juvenile courts, spearheading the conservation movement resulting in the establishment of the first Forest Reserve in 1899, turning the tide for passage of the Pure Food and Drugs Act in 1906, support for the eight hour-work day legislation and the first child labor law and endorsement of a resolution supporting equal rights and responsibilities for women. The small banding together of existing clubs that began in 1890 has grown into the largest organization for women volunteers in the world. GFWC now numbers approximately 300,000 members in 8,000 clubs across the U.S. and millions of additional members in forty countries.
California Federation
of Women's Clubs
Mission
Statement CFWC is
WHO WE ARE The California Federation of Women's Clubs (CFWC) was organized in January 1900 and became the thirty-seventh state to join the General Federation of Women's Clubs in May of the same year. "Strength United is Stronger" was chosen as the motto and still holds true today as the Clubs working together make a difference throughout the world. Our members continue to serve the diverse needs of their communities and country - through time of social change, technology advancements, peace and global conflicts - all in an increasingly independent world. Our members strive to promote education, eliminate illiteracy, encourage faithful citizenship, preserve our natural resources, encourage healthy lifestyles, fight to prevent crime, support the Arts and contribute to international understanding.
Missions:
Alas, the bells were not maintained, and by 1926, the bells had fallen into disrepair and some had been stolen. From 1926 to 1931, the California State Automobile Association and the Automobile Club of Southern California assumed responsibility for maintenance and replacement of bells on state-owned property (just as they had responsibility for signage). In fact, the bells often served as highway signage, working as markers for California motorists. By 1949, there were approx. 286 bells along the road. In 1960, Justin Kramer of Los Angeles won the bid to manufacture replacement bells. His design became the standard. Theft and vandalism continued to take its toll, and the number dwindled to about 75. In 1974 the Legislature appointed Caltrans as guardian of the bells, responsible for repairing or replacing them. Replacements are made of concrete, rather than cast iron, to discourage theft. Along with Los Angeles County, the bells are located in the counties of Ventura, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Mateo and Santa Clara. In 1996, Caltrans developed the "Adopt-A-Bell" program (specifically, it was developed by Keith Robinson, who was the Statewide Coordinator of the Caltrans Adopt-A-Highway Program because he had an interest in the El Camino Real and the loss of the mission bell markers; it appeared to him to be a good way to get the bell markers back on the highways for the public to recognize the historic route of the El Camino Real). After the program was conceived, the California Federation of Womens Clubs was offered the opportunity to adopt as many bells as they could until early 1998. The adoption guidelines were written so that after early 1998 anyone could adopt a bell and maintain it under the Adopt-A-Highway Program. Today, more than 380 bells are in place marking the old highway and its branches. Today, the CFWC continues to work to place more bells on El Camino Real in California. Also working on the program is the Automobile Clubs of Northern and Southern California, the Knights of Columbus, The California Sister Cities Program and Various sites in Baja California. In October of 1997, a special bell was erected at Loreto, Baja California Sur, the site of the very first successful mission to be established in the Californias, thus marking the site of the very beginning of El Camino Real. In June of 1998, the California State Dept. of Transportation and the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History, in conjunction with CFWC and The Knights of Columbus, dedicated a bell on the international border at the San Ysidro/Tijuana crossing.
Projects the Club is involved with include: The Veterans Very Special Arts project. Although this is now a District-run program, it was originally started by our Club 13 years ago. It's a day when the veterans can display their talent publicly as well as share refreshments and entertainment, with fellow veterans and volunteers. We also are dedicated to 24 Lady Veterans with their personal needs, birthday parties, Christmas baskets, holiday festivities and luncheons. Our Cordette singers practice once a week and perform at least twice a month at nursing and retirement homes in the area. Much of our time, effort and money goes to the youth of our Community.. .help with the Cupertino Tournament of Bands; $1000 in scholarships to graduating seniors, a $300 scholarship to a student at Junior College re-entering the education field; sponsor a local art contest for elementary and high school students.. .cash awards and winners go on to area and state judging where they may win more cash awards; sponsor an Essay writing contest for 6th graders with cash awards for the winners; one of our most satisfying- projects is the Teens with Tots program at Cupertino High School and Broadway high School in San Jose, this allows unwed mothers, some fathers, to finish their high school education, and have baby sitting for their youngsters right there at school, we provide HOBY scholarships and contact other Clubs to ensure all the High Schools in our District are covered; we donate to the High School Music departments by having various groups perform at our meetings; each year we have as guests at one of our luncheon meetings the foreign exchange students visiting the local high schools; we provide a campership to Camp Castanoan, the Camp for crippled & mentally and developmental handicapped; each month we collect food and paper supplies for City Team ministries, plus at Christmas we provide them with toys and gifts, and each month we collect and donate to a different Charity of the Month; our members are very dedicated to recycling and each month provide hundreds of pounds in newspapers, plastic and cans. In 1971 club members served as hostesses for the opening of Cupertino's new Library, and in April 1988 members once again had this honor for the dedication of the Library's newly expanded facilities. We are truly dedicated to Community Service, but we haven't forgotten the Club's other original goals of fellowship and self improvement. Our social events include a day at the Races, the President’s Ball, Mystery trips. Theatre Parties and a June Barbecue. We also find fellowship in all our Club activities from working at Very Special Arts and the student Art Contest, to sharing reading experiences in the Literary group, to going out to lunch with the Gourmet Group,playing Bridge and Tile Rummy, to singing with ,the Cordettes at Convalescent homes. And we receive self-improvement through the messages of our guest speakers and club chairmen at our monthly meetings, Cupertino Federated Women's Club has something for everyone. A person can be involved in many activities or just go the monthly meetings. Each member finds her own level of club involvement and satisfaction.
THE GFWC STORY
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), founded in 1890, is the world’s largest nonpartisan, nondenominational women’s volunteer service organization. GFWC traces its roots back to Jane Cunningham Croly, an accomplished New York newspaperwomen, who wrote under the pen name “Jennie June”.
Journalist Jane Cunningham Croly founded the Sorosis club of New York City in 1868. In 1889, she initiated the founding of the Federation by bringing existing clubs together to form a national, mutually supportive organization. In 1994, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. In 1868 Mrs. Croly and other newspaperwomen were denied admittance to a banquet honoring Charles Dickens at the all-male New York Press Club. It was then that she conceived the idea of forming a club for women only, that should manage its own affairs, represent the active interests of women and create a bond of fellowship between them.” The name chosen for this club was Sorosis, a Greek word meaning “an aggregation; a sweat flavor of many fruits, as in the pineapple.” Although the founders originally supposed they were starting a new movement, they became aware over the years of existence of other women’s clubs that had formed independently to meet the needs of women in the expanding country. As Sorois approached its twenty first year, Mrs. Croly proposes a conference in New York that brought together delegates from sixty-one women’s clubs. On the last day of the conference, the women took action to form a permanent organization. A Constitution was adopted in 1890, and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs was born.
Julia Ward Howe, known for her poem "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," was a founder of the New England Woman's Club in 1868, with Caroline M. Severance, and an honorary member of the Sorosis club.
Ella Dietz Clymer, president of Sorosis at the time, gained a particular place of honor in Federation history as the author of the GFWC motto, “Unity in Diversity.” Speaking to the delegates at the first conference, she said: “We look for unity, but unity in diversity. We hope that you will enrich us by your varied experiences…” The aptness of the motto is evident in the diverse interests of GFWC members, who have implemented a broad range of programs and projects tailored to meet the needs of their communities. It set the tone for the flexibility that has allowed GFWC to grow and adapt to the changing and diverse life-styles and concerns of women throughout a century of volunteer work.
Although women’s clubs were founded primarily as a means of self-education and development for women, gradually the emphasis of most local clubs changed to one of community service and improvement. GFWC programmatic areas of activity include the arts, conservation, education, home life, international affairs and public affairs, as well as various special projects. The Federation also has a distinguished record of legislative activity on issues of historical importance: establishment of a national model for juvenile courts, spearheading the conservation movement resulting in the establishment of the first Forest Reserve in 1899, turning the tide for passage of the Pure Food and Drugs Act in 1906, support for the eight hour-work day legislation and the first child labor law and endorsement of a resolution supporting equal rights and responsibilities for women. The small banding together of existing clubs that began in 1890 has grown into the largest organization for women volunteers in the world. GFWC now numbers approximately 300,000 members in 8,000 clubs across the U.S. and millions of additional members in forty countries.
More about the El Camino Real Bells. The road that linked the missions, pueblos, and presidios in early California was called El Camino Real. While typically called "The King's Highway" the term "Camino Real" is more usually used to denote a crude road, almost a trail, used mostly by wagons.
The first marker was dedicated 15 August 1906 at the Plaza Church in Los Angeles. The bell was cast iron and weighed 100 pounds; supported 11 feet off the ground by iron tubing. The route was completely marked by 1913. In 1933, the California Division of Highways took over care of the bells and many disappeared when roads were widened or relocated. Only 120 remained in 1959. In 1963, 81 replica bells were donated for replacement purposes while one of the original bells was sent to Majorca, Blessed Serra's birthplace. Later, in 1978, Caltrans developed replacements made out of concrete. New bells now are created in iron again. According to the book California's El Camino Real and Its Historic Bells by Max Kurillo, Erline M. Tuttle there are some 15 different bell designs.
LandmarkStrange as it may seem for something not quite tangible, El Camino Real has its own California Landmark status. One of the signs is at the San Diego Mission (on the front wall by the entrance), the southern terminus. I presume another sign will be at the northernmost mission and will add it when found.
Originators of the 1906 "El Camino Real Bell" Est. 1914 by Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes
sales@californiabell.com or (408) 249-1000 
The California Bell Company, established
early in the last century |
Contact Information
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![[El Camino Map]](http://www.cahighways.org/images/elcaminomap.gif)
The
history of the El Camino Real and its bells, is quite interesting. At the same
time that the American At the same time that the American colonies were
rebelling against England, a handful of Spaniards and Mexicans established
outposts up the California coast. The first was established in 1769 at San
Diego, when they established a fortress and a Franciscan mission. From that
point, a series of small self-reliant religious missions were established. Each
was a day's travel apart and linked by El Camino Real, Overall, El Camino Real
("The King's Highway") linked 21 missions, pueblos and four presidios from San
Diego to Sonoma. ![[Image of 101 Bell from Casey Cooper's site]](http://www.cahighways.org/images/101-bell_small.jpg)
The notion of preserving El Camino Real was first proposed by Miss Anna Pitcher,
Director of the Pasadena Art Exhibition Association to the Women's Club of Los
Angeles in 1892. Unsuccessful, she tried again with a pitch to the California
Federation of Woman's Clubs (CFWC) in May 1902 and to the Native Daughters of
the Golden West (NDGW) in June 1902. Both organizations endorsed the idea. The
CFWC (principally Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes and Mrs. Caroline Olney) and the NDGW
eventually implemented the proposal. In 1904, a group was formed called the El
Camino Real Association. This group had the mission to reestablish the road and
select a marker design. Mrs. Forbes' (upon a suggestion by Mrs. C.F. Gates)
created a marker that was a cast iron bells hung from an eleven-foot bent
guidepost. The first bell was placed in 1906 in front of the Old Plaza Church in
downtown Los Angeles. Eventually, there were approx. 158 bells installed along
the Camino Real by 1915. 
Modern
day U.S. Highway 101 follows the general route of the original trail and a plan
to mark the original route was developed in 1902 by the General Federation of
Women's Clubs in Los Angeles. The Camino Real Association was established in
1906 and, in that year, the decision was made to mark the original route with
guide posts. The design chosen by Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes used a mission bell
supported by a staff in the shape of a Franciscan walking stick. Each mile of
the route (450 total then, presently expanded to a goal of 700) was to have a
marker.![[Smile]](http://missiontour.org/images/smiley.gif){kind=small}
