GFWC Coral Springs Woman's Club

 A Brief History

Founded and accepted by the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1970, the Coral Springs Woman’s Club was formed with the objectives of furthering educational, civic, and charitable activities in Coral Springs and the community-at-large, as well a promoting personal growth among its members.  Coral Springs residency is not a membership requirement.  At present, Florida cities represented within the club are Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach, Margate, Lauderdale Lakes, and Pompano Beach; membership also includes associate members in Boynton Beach, FL and Waterbury, CT.

                1993 new members assemble.

The Coral Springs Woman’s Club has historically been instrumental in enriching the lives of the city’s residents in many tangible ways.  In 1973 it was the catalyst for purchases for the first E.M.S. unit; it was pivotal in founding Orchid Park, the Cultural Society, and the Craft Guild, all of which continue as vital parts of the community.  The organization also provided 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; the club has supported the Coral Springs Volunteer Fire Department, the Coral Springs Library, local schools, and the Sawgrass Nature Center.

In 1995 the Seasiders, a singing group, was formed as a community out-reach activity.  This group entertains at sister clubs, area nursing homes, and other organizations by presenting songs of yesteryear while attired in 1895 swimsuits.  Formation of the group was in recognition of the FFWC (Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs) Centennial celebration. 

An outgrowth of the Conservation Department, the Curbsiders currently keep a section of Lakeview Drive in Coral Springs clear of litter as a community service in the Adopt-a-Street program.  Husbands often join the members in this effort.

Education has been a focus of this club since its inception.  One long-running, local fund raising tradition that continued until 2004 was the Festival of Lights, based on a Spanish tradition of the Luminaria; the proceeds of this community project funded the club’s scholarship fund.  A scholarship continues to be awarded annually to an area graduate, now funded through a number of fundraising activities that include an annual auction and a taster’s luncheon.

Beyond the local level, the club supports projects to benefit many global organizations.  Annually, the focus of the charitable and philanthropic programs is subject to change, based on variable criteria, such as need and urgency.

The club is always represented at the district meetings and state conventions.  Additionally, several club members have held federation offices.  Sandy Novak and Kathy Laux were Past District Directors who have gone on to become State chairmen; former members Lois Porterfield and June Buckley also served as District Directors, Current GFWC Coral Springs Woman’s Club President, Bert Alberti, was FFWC President from 1994-1996, while she was a member of the GFWC Woman’s Club of North Miami.  She has served as a State chairman, and also currently holds the title of GFWC (General Federation of Women’s Clubs) Education Chairman until June 2010.

Club members also share social times.  Club events have included Oktoberfests, fashion shows, cruise ship luncheons, progressive dinners, Mardi Gras parties, beach picnics, game nights, Trash-to-Treasure exchanges, high teas, holiday parties, Tacky Flamingo deliveries, Kentucky Derby parties, taster’s luncheons, movie nights, book clubs, and District Art Shows, as well as field trips to museums, restaurants, and other points of interest.

Approaching its fortieth year of existence, the club continues to draw from a diverse population and welcomes into membership those women who enjoy social contacts with other area women and who have an interest in the club’s original objectives -- using a group effort to affect the quality of life in Coral Springs in the community-at-large. The club will celebrate its 40th anniversary on February 19th, 2010 at Brooks Restaurant in Lighthouse Point.