GFWC CORAL SPRINGS WOMAN’S CLUB HISTORY 

     The GFWC Coral Springs Woman's Club was founded in 1970 and accepted by the Florida Federation of Women's Clubs the same year; it was formed with the objectives of furthering educational, civic, and charitable activities in Coral Springs and the community-at-large, as well as promoting personal growth among its members.

    The club has compiled a rich history as it has touched the lives of the city’s residents in many tangible ways: the founding of the library, the Orchid Park, the Cultural Society, and the Craft Guild; seed money to start local programs, such as Y-Me Breast Cancer Awareness, Safety Town, Patch the Pony, McGruff, B-Wise Immunize, and the WINGS Project; purchases for the first E.M.S. unit; support for the Coral Springs Volunteer Fire Department, the Coral Springs Library, and local schools.

     Some projects continue today: an annual scholarship award to a non-traditional student with funded by a number of activities, including an annual auction and a taster’s luncheon; “Dollars for Delegates” raised by the Seasiders singing group; a community service in the county’s Adopt-a-Street Program, performed by the Curbsiders; and support for the Sawgrass Nature Center, the Northwest Regional Library, and schools.

    Beyond the local level, the club supports projects to benefit many global organizations; these are subject to change, based on variable criteria, such as need and urgency. The GFWC Coral Springs Woman’s Club, twice named outstanding Club in Category 2 and this year in Category 3, strives to retain and strengthen the qualifications that made these state awards possible.

    In addition to our members attendance at district meetings and state conventions, several women have taken an active role at the state level: Past CSWC President Alice Jackson was recognized as GFWC Florida Clubwoman of the Year; Past CSWC Presidents Sandy Novak, Kathy Laux and Carol Johnson are Past District Directors who have gone on to become State chairmen; former members Past CSWC Presidents Lois Porterfield and June Buckley also served as District Directors.

     The club counts among its members two GFWC Florida Past Presidents Charlyne Carruth (2004-06) and Bert Alberti (1994-96), who is also a CSWC Past President. Both women have served in various positions at the state, regional, and/or national levels since their state presidencies. Our two long-term woman's club members are Bert Alberti, 60 years, and Alice Jackson, 51 years. The knowledge and experience of all these women enrich our club.

     Coral Springs residency is not a membership requirement. Currently Florida cities represented within the club are Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach, Margate, Lauderdale Lakes, Parkland, Pembroke Pines, and Pompano Beach; membership also includes associate members in Boynton Beach, FL, Hanover, NH, and Waterbury, CT.

     The club continues to draw from a diverse population and welcomes into membership those women who enjoy social contacts with other area women and have an interest in the club’s original objective of using a group effort to effect the quality of life in Coral Springs and in the community-at-large.

     At the annual state conventions in Orlando, Florida, GFWC Coral Springs Woman's Club has been named Best in Membership Category many times over the last several years.

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