HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 271 Offered February 3, 2006 Commending the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Virginia on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. ---------- Patron-- Nixon ----------

WHEREAS, in May 1907, the Virginia Federation of Women’s Clubs, consisting of 10 clubs and almost 700 women, was founded in Lynchburg by its first elected president, Alice Aunspaugh Kyle; and

WHEREAS, in 2002 the name of the organization was changed to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Virginia, known as GFWC Virginia, and today, the organization has eight districts throughout the state with 233 clubs and 8,670 members; and

WHEREAS, "Service the Debt of Education" was chosen as the organization's motto in 1913 and members made it clear that this did not mean just formal education, but also advancement through the “continuing process which comes about through reading, listening, acting”; and

WHEREAS, GFWC members promoted industrial arts programs for rural schools, supported school fairs that exhibited vocational training projects, worked to establish state-supported women’s universities, and supplied books to libraries; and

WHEREAS, GFWC members also advocated legislation that would expand the building of schools, require compulsory attendance, and provide adequately paid and trained teachers, as well as the establishment of libraries; the GFWC is responsible for 75% of the libraries in existence today; and

WHEREAS, because of high infant mortality rates and disease, the GFWC responded to urgent health issues concerning tuberculosis, typhoid, and malaria and worked to clean up open wells and outdoor privies, demanded stores protect food from insects and dust, and promoted sanitation, pure food, and litter clean-up; and

WHEREAS, the GFWC of Virginia continues to work with the American Cancer Society, the Arthritis Foundation, the American Heart Association, and other health organizations, conducting osteoporosis and blood pressure screenings, working with children with cancer, and providing valuable medical equipment to medical facilities such as the Massey Cancer Center; and

WHEREAS, the dedicated members of GFWC Virginia are committed to increasing the quality of life of their neighbors through programs for safety, crime prevention, child welfare, the Virginia Museum art mobile, get out the vote, billboard blight removal, mental health, and education; and

WHEREAS, GFWC Virginia generously donated funds for a heated physical therapy pool to the Children’s Rehabilitation Center of the University of Virginia and routinely contributes to scholarships to increase educational opportunities for students; and

WHEREAS, Operation Smile, founded in the Norfolk clubs in 1988, is a major project that provides funds and support for medical missions to developing countries, and in 1990 Operation Smile was added to GFWC International's objectives; and

WHEREAS, over its long history of community support, GFWC Virginia and its members have supported legislation for issues such as the eight-hour workday, the first child labor laws, equal rights and responsibilities for women, the “Women’s Crusade for Seatbelts,” funding for the arts, clean-up of waterways, adult literacy, breast cancer and arthritis research, assisted living health care, identity theft, cell phone use while driving, sexual exploitation of children, and many other issues; and

WHEREAS, GFWC Virginia is an altruistic and dynamic organization with a proud 100-year history of outstanding service to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs International and the citizens of the Commonwealth and the nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Virginia on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the state president, Linda Beatty, and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Virginia as an expression of the General Assembly's congratulations and best wishes for continued success in its mission.