In November 1919, Mrs. Henry Parker, President, Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs called a
meeting for the Board of Directors as an aid to our organizational progress. From this meeting
three Districts were formed: Southwestern, with 26 federated clubs; Southeastern, with 41
federated clubs, and Northern, with 15 federated clubs.
In 1924 VFWC increased to six Districts. Originally referred to as the 4th District, Northern held
its first meeting in Winchester. Mrs. Joseph Crupper of the Falls Church Club presided over the
meeting in which 9 federated clubs and 17 counties were represented. Leaders were called
Chairmen and served as Vice Presidents of VFWC until 1929 when they were made Presidents of
the Districts and the Junior Director of the District was made 3rd Vice President.
In 1930 a 7th District was formed and in 1952 the 8th District was formed and names were chosen
for the Districts. The 1st District became Southwestern; 2nd Shenandoah; 3rd Alice Kyle; 4th
Northern; 5th Lee; 6th Tidewater; 7th Southside, and 8th Blue Ridge.
Encompassing the 14 northernmost counties of the state, there are currently 33 clubs in
Northern District; 28 General clubs and 5 Junior clubs with a paid membership of 1,415. Within
the District is the only County Federation in the state, the Fairfax County Federation of
Women's Clubs.
The District Shield, designed by Jane Woodruff Kearns of the WC of Culpeper, was adopted in
1970. It signifies the six GFWC departments; Education, the lamp of knowledge; Conservation, a
hand holding a dogwood blossom ( our state flower); Home Life, a spool of thread; The Arts, a
palette and brushes; Public Affairs, a gavel; and International Affairs, a world globe. The "N" is
for Northern District and the arrow is always pointing north. The Blue signifies loyalty/truth and
the gold is for generosity. The Latin inscription means "From Diversity, Strength".
Traditionally the District adopts a project each administration. Many times the District has
adopted the State Project and in 1972 led all districts in its contributions and support of the
Mental Health Foundation. Other projects Northern District has supported include: a District
scholarship, a transport van for the National Kidney Foundation; "60 trees by 60 clubs for 60
years" in celebration of Northern District's 60th anniversary in 1984; purchase of a robotic
D.A.R.E. Bear; and most recently, with a focus on women's health issues, the District supported
"Life with Cancer".
The Northern District Juniors continue their support of the ongoing State Junior Project, Camp
Easter Seal West with contributions for complete cabin renovations and donations of medical,
recreational, and administrative supplies.
Earning state awards in all departments and special programs is not uncommon for Northern
District clubs. However several clubs have received GFWC recognition for outstanding efforts in
their communities. In 1982 the WC of Fredericksburg won the second place national award for
their CIP entry "Stroke Club" in which they helped area residents adjust to life after a stroke. At
the 2001 convention in St. Paul, Minnesota the Oakton WC received an award for their "Libraries
2000" contribution, recognizing this club's efforts in bringing a library to the Oakton community.
The District hosted its first State Convention at the Sheraton Park Hotel (formerly known as the
Wardman Park) in Washington, D.C. in 1941. Northern District at that time had no facility large
enough to hold it. We have grown and now host the convention every 4 years.
Prior to the formation of numbered Districts two club women from this area did serve as VFWC
President. They were Mrs. Helen Norris Cummings, 1915-1917 who was a member of the
Cameron Woman's Club, Alexandria; and Mrs. Henry Lockwood 1921-1923 of the Clarendon
Woman's Club in Clarendon. Since then four Northern District members have gone on to serve as
the Virginia Federation President: Mrs. J. York Welborn (Grace) 1960- 1962; Mrs. James B.
Roberts (Phyllis) 1970-1972; Mrs. John O. Gregory (Angela) 1976- 1978; and Mrs. Joseph A.
Wintz III (Leigh) 2000-2002. Two District Junior Directors have served as 3rd Vice President,
Director of Junior Clubs, at the state level; Mrs. Donald Warren (Faye) 1972-1974 and Mrs.
Joseph A. Wintz III (Leigh) 1982-1984.
Phyllis Roberts, Past President of Northern District and the Virginia Federation served as the
GFWC International President from 1986-1988. Mrs. Roberts is one of three ladies from Virginia
to serve in this office in the 112 years of Federation history. The first being Mrs. J.L. Blair Buck
(Dorothea) who served from 1947 - 1950, and the most recent being Mrs. Leslie Hamlett (Shelby)
2000-2002.
Northern District continually strives to create ways to support member clubs and help new clubs
to form and prosper. And our members continue to dedicate and volunteer their time and talents
to promote the civic and cultural welfare of their communities while sharing Federation
fellowship.
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