The GFWC Woman’s Club of Fernandina Beach has over
100 years of history in serving the community.

 Who We Are

The GFWC Woman’s Club of Fernandina Beach is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs , the GFWC Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs , and serve with other clubs in this area as members of GFWC Florida District 4. Members are engaged in community service programs, promoting arts and culture, civic engagement and outreach, education and libraries, the environment, and promote health and wellness. We support the GFWC Signature Program, Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention, and the Juniors’ Special Program, One Voice for Children. You can learn more about these programs in the GFWC Club Manual.

We have a number of affiliate organizations that we support including: Heifer International, Bogey Creek, Reading for Literacy, Florida Disaster Relief, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, March of Dimes, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY), Jacksonville Zoo, the Ark Wildlife Santcuary, Hope House/Salvation Army, and Micah’s Place, as well as others throughout the Community and the State.

In 1952 the GFWC Woman’s Club of Fernandina Beach began sponsoring Little Women, a club for high school girls 10th thru 12th grade, and it continues to be an active and vibrant club.


Mission

The GFWC Woman’s Club of Fernandina Beach’s objective shall be to serve the educational, literary, scientific, and charitable interests of its members; to encourage movement for civic betterment and to promote spirit in the community.

GFWC Woman’s Club of Fernandina Beach
Featured in the Amelia Islander Magazine

Read the Article Here

Ronda Carney, 2023-2025 Club President coined the hastag #THEORIGINALWOMANSCLUBOFFB to showcase our history in Fernandina Beach established in 1920.

2026-2028 Executive Board

A smiling woman with short, gray hair, wearing pink earrings and a pink and red floral top standing against a textured background.

Mary Millette, President

A smiling older woman with short, curly gray hair taking a selfie on a sandy beach with houses in the background and clear blue sky.
A smiling woman with short, light brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a colorful floral blouse and pearl earrings, standing indoors with a white background and a black frame behind her.
A smiling woman with blonde hair, wearing a white top and hoop earrings, in front of a dark background.

Lisa Row, 1st Vice President

Kathye Reily, Treasurer

Ann Garber, 2nd Vice President

A woman with medium-length brown hair smiling, wearing a patterned shirt with green, white, and black geometric designs, and small hoop earrings.

Stacy Condray, Recording Secretary

A smiling woman with blonde hair wearing earrings, outdoors near water during sunset.

Laura Hardin, 3rd Vice President

A smiling elderly woman with short gray hair wearing large round glasses, a white top, and layered gold necklaces, standing against a plain white background.

Anne Merkey, Corresponding Secretary

A woman with dark brown hair, glasses, and wearing a blue shirt, outdoors with green foliage in the background.

Kim Gavin, 4th Vice President

Close-up of a woman with blonde hair wearing a black and white leopard-print dress and pearl necklace, smiling in front of a plain light-colored background.

Mary Powell, Parliamentarian

Membership (2).jpg
A large white house with multiple windows and a porch, surrounded by trees and a dirt yard.
A white sign with black text that reads "GFWC WOMAN'S CLUB" is in the foreground. Behind it, there is a pathway leading to a white building with multiple windows seated among green shrubs and trees, with some branches covering part of the building.
A white house with dark shutters, situated behind lush green bushes and trees, with a concrete pathway leading to the front entrance, shaded by tree branches.

Club History

 
Mary+Powell+HS.jpg

In May 2016, GFWC Woman's Club of Fernandina Beach member, Mary Powell, became GFWC Florida President for 2016-2018.

Organized 1920

Federated 1922

Incorportated 1956

The GFWC Woman's Club of Fernandina Beach was organized in 1920 by twenty-seven ladies who met in the city library with the goal of doing everything possible to improve their city, educationally and physically. Thus, the GFWC Woman's Club of Fernandina Beach was born.

In January 1960, ground was broken for the new Club House on land which was donated by Mr. C. E Ward. The completed building is in a perfect location, three blocks from the beach, where it sits amongst large live oaks and colorful azaleas.

 

Many thanks to the Amelia Island Museum of History for scanning our many years of scrapbooks, currently 1956 to 1966. You may click HERE and view the early days of the Fernandina Beach Woman’s Club.

Memories from the Club Scrapbook

Click on an image to enlarge 

Black and white photo of a school nurse checking a child's throat while other children and a teacher watch in a classroom.
Black and white photo of five women in can-can costumes with ruffled skirts and bodices, performing a dance. The caption below mentions they are part of a can-can chorus line, part of the Fernandina Beach Woman's Club, and includes names of Elovse So
A black and white photograph of two women dressed in costumes, standing in front of a decorative background. They are holding hands, and one of them is playing a piano. The caption mentions the women are Elizabeth Hall and Charlene Roberts, participa
Black and white photograph of women at the Fernandina Beach Woman's Club meeting, arranged in two rows. The caption lists their names and titles, including Mrs. Gilbert Wightton, Mrs. Hugh Evans, Mrs. Exteen Corbett, Mrs. J. P. Ewing, Mrs. George T.
A vintage black and white newspaper clipping featuring a woman in a kitchen, standing next to a stove. The headline reads, "New Clubhouse Is a Reality For 201 Fernandina Women." The photo caption mentions Mrs. J. P. Ewing and describes the kitchen as
Black and white photograph of a group of women standing outdoors behind a newspaper headline that reads 'Big Blow-up For The 1956 March of Dimes.' The women are smiling and wearing coats, with some holding balloons shaped like animals or figures. The
Four women dressed in vintage clothing, wearing hats and jewelry, posing together and smiling, likely at a social event or gathering.
Five women in vintage dresses standing on a stage with large palm leaves and a curtain backdrop, engaged in conversation at a social event.
Newspaper article about a woman's club setting up a thrift shop downtown, with a black-and-white photo showing the thrift shop's facade and a person standing outside.