GFWC To Host Women's History Month Lecture

Lecture Will Explore Women’s Roles in the Chautauqua Idea

Contact: Michele J. Mount or Ashley Carver       
P: 202-347-3168 ext. 149 or 137
E: MMount@GFWC.org or ACarver@GFWC.org

For Immediate Release 

February 21, 2012 (Washington, D.C.) – Join the General Federation of Women’s Clubs during Women’s History Month for an educational lecture on the historic American “Chautauqua Idea,” and the important role women played in the movement. The lecture will be held on Thursday, March 15, 2012, from 2 to 4 p.m. at GFWC Headquarters.

Jon Schmitz, archivist and historian at the Chautauqua Institution in New York, will discuss the 19th century origins of this historic movement, where thousands gathered to learn and discuss great ideas, new initiatives, and issues of public concern. He will cover the crucial role women played, and why the American Chautauqua Idea remains an important phenomenon.

The Pageant of Citizenship, a rare silent film from 1923, will be shown during the event. The movie was filmed at Chautauqua and features Anna H. Pennybacker, GFWC President (1912-1916) and prominent author, lecturer, and women’s suffrage advocate.

The GFWC Women’s History Month lecture is free and open to the public. GFWC Headquarters is located at 1734 N Street, NW, in Washington D.C. For more information, contact GFWC@GFWC.org or call 202-347-3168.

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About the General Federation of Women’s Clubs
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is a unifying force, bringing together local women’s clubs, with members dedicated to strengthening their communities and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. With 104,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members are community leaders who work locally to create global change by supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, advancing education, promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging civic involvement, and working toward world peace and understanding.