Faculty Women's Club records

The Faculty Women's Club at The George Washington University grew out of the parent organization the Columbian Women, formed in 1894 and continuing today. All women associated with the University as students or faculty were invited to belong to the Columbian Women. In 1930 the membership numbered 566, of which 82 were faculty or faculty wives. Feeling the need for closer friendship among the faculty wives, especially the newcomers, Mrs. John Donaldson held a series of small teas for getting acquainted. The Faculty Women's Club was formally founded February 21, 1931 at which time the By-Laws were passed and Mrs. John Donaldson was elected President. The club's purpose was to “foster friendliness and sociability among all of the women of the faculty and to cooperate in every possible way in promoting the interests of the University.” Annual dues were set at twenty-five cents and membership was open to the “wife or recognized hostess of any faulty member, including Emeriti professors, and any woman member of the faculty.” In the first year of 1931-32 ninety women joined as charter members, of which fifteen were faculty members.

During the war years the club's activities were curtailed, but in 1950 Mrs. Mitchell Dreese became president and amended the constitution to include as members the University Administrators and certain Research personnel. Extra effort was put into planning interesting programs, and to help newcomers get acquainted, special interest groups were formed which met at members' homes. From 1950-75 membership reached a high of 275 members in 1964 with an average of 210 during the period. After 1975 the membership declined, perhaps attributable to “an increase in female employment” (according to a history written in 1980).

In 1981 the club presented the University a ceremonial mace, to be used as official processions. President Elliott called it a “historic gift” and said that it would become a ceremonial part of the activities of the University. The Faculty Women's Club ceased functions around 1992.

N.B. This history note was written in 2005