THE PIONEER WORKERS

OF THE GFWC/OHIO FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS

The Pioneer Workers of the Ohio Federation of Women's Clubs united on October 16, 1912, at Athens, Ohio, during the 17th OFWC annual convention. Twenty women, consisting of Founders (women who had served as officers, club presidents or delegates at the OFWC organizational meeting at Springfield in October 1894), chairmen of standing committees, presidents and delegates of Federated Clubs who participated in the convention prior to and including 1900, enrolled at that meeting.

All officers and members of the Executive Board who had served a full term of office were ex-officio members. The purpose of this union was to strengthen the bond among the early workers of this great organization.

On April 26, 1982, the constitution was amended to read: "Officers and members of the Ohio Federation of Women's Clubs Board of Directors, all chairmen of departments and divisions and of standing committees, The Buckeye staff and trustees of the scholarship funds and the Memorial Forest who have served a full term of office are eligible for membership". Meetings are held during the GFWC/Ohio Federation of Women's Clubs annual meetings.

Action to confer Honorary Life Membership in The Pioneer Workers to each state president at the close of her administration was taken in 1946. Honorary Life Membership was also given to the eight living past presidents at that time.

At the 1948 meeting, action was taken to honor The Pioneer oldest in active years of service. The first awards were made in 1949.

THE BLUE BOOK OF DISTINGUISHED WOMEN

The Blue Book of Distinguished Women was established in 1964 to honor those women in Ohio who have made significant contributions to their clubs, communities and state. A name to be recorded in the book may be sponsored by an individual or by a club along with a ten dollar ($10.00) donation. One name may be recorded more than one time and a ten dollar ($10.00) donation must be enclosed each time.

Monies contributed is known as "The Blue Book Fund" and is used for office equipment for the GFWC/Ohio Federation of Women's Clubs executive committee. It is administrated by the executive committee of the Pioneer Workers and the chairman of The Blue Book committee.

Click to download the Blue Book of Distinguished Women Entry Form

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