The Detroit Federation of Women's Clubs
"The impact of the DFWC on Detroit's municipal affairs cannot be measured simply in terms of failed or successful campaigns. The DFWC achieved an active, if not equal, position in Detroit's Political life" ~ Jayne Morris Crowther
Background:
The Detroit Federation of Women’s Clubs (DFWC) was started by Frances Bagley in 1895 in order for the various women’s clubs in the city to “understand each other's work, provide more unified thinking, and consequently make their efforts more effective” (1). While each of the clubs of the federation were independent, for the most part they all had the same goals which dealt in various aspects of the arts, philanthropy, and civic duties(2). The federation was comprised of a representative from each of the partner clubs that would attend the federation meetings. Though the ladies did not always agree on everything, if they found a matter that they all passionately agreed on they would join together in one strong voice behind this issue (3). Eventually the DFWC became a strong federation in which policies and decisions would be enacted by the federation instead of by the independent clubs (4). The clubs often met twice throughout the month and extra meetings were called if necessary (5).
The Detroit Federation of Women’s Clubs (DFWC) was started by Frances Bagley in 1895 in order for the various women’s clubs in the city to “understand each other's work, provide more unified thinking, and consequently make their efforts more effective” (1). While each of the clubs of the federation were independent, for the most part they all had the same goals which dealt in various aspects of the arts, philanthropy, and civic duties(2). The federation was comprised of a representative from each of the partner clubs that would attend the federation meetings. Though the ladies did not always agree on everything, if they found a matter that they all passionately agreed on they would join together in one strong voice behind this issue (3). Eventually the DFWC became a strong federation in which policies and decisions would be enacted by the federation instead of by the independent clubs (4). The clubs often met twice throughout the month and extra meetings were called if necessary (5).
Club Membership:
The federation was made up of middle class and wealthy women who had "time on their hands" to host club meetings (6). Though the women that made up the federation were mostly white, there were two African American clubs, the Detroit Study Club and the Entre Nous Club that also were part of the federation(7). |
A Gateway into the Political Sphere
Being part of the Federation opened up new possibilities for the Detroit Women’s clubs, especially regarding their voice in a field they were often left out of, politics. Out of the case studies featured on this website, the DWFC seems to have been the most successful in the political sphere before suffrage for women. As seen in the following section “impacts made on the community” the DWFC successfully rallied to get various laws enacted, a women’s police force , as well as, amendments to the city charter passed. If not for the DWFC’s educational campaigns and lobbying efforts, these laws would likely not have passed (8). Even though these women were not in the rooms making the laws, the impact they had on the men writing them was tremendous. These women knew they had great strengths to offer their community in regards to social and political issues, and luckily for them they proved it. As Jayne Morris-Crowther says “the DWFC achieved an active, if not equal, position in Detroit political life” to that of the men in political positions (9).
Being part of the Federation opened up new possibilities for the Detroit Women’s clubs, especially regarding their voice in a field they were often left out of, politics. Out of the case studies featured on this website, the DWFC seems to have been the most successful in the political sphere before suffrage for women. As seen in the following section “impacts made on the community” the DWFC successfully rallied to get various laws enacted, a women’s police force , as well as, amendments to the city charter passed. If not for the DWFC’s educational campaigns and lobbying efforts, these laws would likely not have passed (8). Even though these women were not in the rooms making the laws, the impact they had on the men writing them was tremendous. These women knew they had great strengths to offer their community in regards to social and political issues, and luckily for them they proved it. As Jayne Morris-Crowther says “the DWFC achieved an active, if not equal, position in Detroit political life” to that of the men in political positions (9).
Impacts made on the community
The number of impacts the Detroit Federation of Women’s Clubs had on the local community appears to be endless. Like most women clubs of the time, the community impact in the beginning of the federation was centered around municipal housekeeping (10). To do this clubwomen went to their local governments to “provide services for private needs like recreation and personal hygiene” (11). Below are a few examples of the Women’s club influencing politics and impacting their community.
Playgrounds: A goal for the federation from 1901 to 1903 was to create city playgrounds for children (12). Initially, the DWFC requested an empty lot in the city but the city council refused which resulted in a campaign that lasted two years (13). This campaign raised over a thousand dollars to build a playground (14). In order to raise awareness for their campaign, the women “wrote hundreds of letters, made numerous speeches and in 1903 presented a petition to the board of education with fourteen thousand signatures” (15). In response to the petition, the educational board relented and contacted the city council which resulted in a newly built playground (16).
Reforming Education: A primary cause of concern for much of the women in the United States during the early 1900's was the education the cities children were getting (17). Some of the campaigning they did was for enforcement of school attendance, higher salaries for teachers and the “retention of art and music teachers” (18). During this campaign the women realized that Detroit's school board needed to be reformed (19). Many of the members of the board were uneducated and were found to be taking bribes from “furniture and book dealers”. As result of the DWFC’s speeches, letters and door to door campaigning the Michigan legislature passed a bill that would require each city to have a nonpartisan school board ( 20). In fact Laura Osborne, a leader of this education reform was elected to the first school board following the reform and she served until her death (21). The federation was also successful in getting truancy officers to report to the more qualified school boards then to the city government (22).
Laws and Amendments:
The number of impacts the Detroit Federation of Women’s Clubs had on the local community appears to be endless. Like most women clubs of the time, the community impact in the beginning of the federation was centered around municipal housekeeping (10). To do this clubwomen went to their local governments to “provide services for private needs like recreation and personal hygiene” (11). Below are a few examples of the Women’s club influencing politics and impacting their community.
Playgrounds: A goal for the federation from 1901 to 1903 was to create city playgrounds for children (12). Initially, the DWFC requested an empty lot in the city but the city council refused which resulted in a campaign that lasted two years (13). This campaign raised over a thousand dollars to build a playground (14). In order to raise awareness for their campaign, the women “wrote hundreds of letters, made numerous speeches and in 1903 presented a petition to the board of education with fourteen thousand signatures” (15). In response to the petition, the educational board relented and contacted the city council which resulted in a newly built playground (16).
Reforming Education: A primary cause of concern for much of the women in the United States during the early 1900's was the education the cities children were getting (17). Some of the campaigning they did was for enforcement of school attendance, higher salaries for teachers and the “retention of art and music teachers” (18). During this campaign the women realized that Detroit's school board needed to be reformed (19). Many of the members of the board were uneducated and were found to be taking bribes from “furniture and book dealers”. As result of the DWFC’s speeches, letters and door to door campaigning the Michigan legislature passed a bill that would require each city to have a nonpartisan school board ( 20). In fact Laura Osborne, a leader of this education reform was elected to the first school board following the reform and she served until her death (21). The federation was also successful in getting truancy officers to report to the more qualified school boards then to the city government (22).
Laws and Amendments:
- In 1919 the clubwomen decided that in order to better serve the community that women should be police officers as well (23). At first they ran a campaign simply trying to get a women police officer on the force, but this quickly turned into gaining a full women’s division as part of the police department (24). The plan was for the women police officers would “be on the same footing as their male counterparts and have all of the same rights and responsibilities” (25). The clubwomen were successful in gaining a temporary women’s division in the police department in January 1920 (26). This temporary division proved its worth it in a report to be “the most progressive and effective line of “social betterment” and that detroit was preeminent among U.S cities because of its women’s divisions work” (27). In order to get a permanent womens board the women endorsed an amendment to the city charter that would fully establish the a women’s police force division that would be lead by a woman (28). To the amazement of all involved the amendment was passed on March 7, 1923 (29).
- The DWFC along with the Michigan Federation of Women’s clubs supported an anti gambling law that was brought to the Michigan State Legislature called the Voorheis-Bahorski Anti-Handbook Bill (30). The presence of the women’s clubs at the state legislature was influential in persuading the politicians who were also being lobbied by parts of the state that benefited from gambling (31). In the end the clubwomen won, and the law passed.
- Another city charter amendment included a bureau of smoke inspection and abatement within the department of building and safety engineering. Harry L. Shearer, the secretary of this department said that “the women’s organizations stood solidly behind the committee all through its investigation and a great deal of credit for the passage of the amendment and creation of the department must be given to the women of Detroit who got out in large numbers to vote” (32).
- The DFWC also actively voiced its opinion and support for national law as well. An example of this was the Sheppard-Towner Infancy and Maternity Protection Bill that helped provide money for maternity clinics (33). They also voiced support for Child labor Amendment to the United States Constitution (34)