Local members remain dedicated to continuing the international organization’s mission of community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.

“We truly embody the can-do spirit for the community since its inception,” IM-K GFWC Germaine Hendrickson said. “We still fully represent that.”

The Iron Mountain-Kingsford District 5 organization was honored this spring at the state convention for marking 110 years since becoming a part of the GFWC in 1915.

The longtime civic group had three predecessors — The Ladies’ Benevolent Society that formed in 1893, The Drawingroom Club that formed in 1890 and the Tuesday Study Club that formed in 1910.

MRS. E.G. KINGSFORD, shown at front left, was the first president of the local General Federation of Women’s Clubs. (Contributed photo)

The history of the Tuesday Study Club stated it was instrumental in organizing the Women’s Club on May 7, 1912. The Drawingroom Club was also invited to assist with the organization plans. Postcards were sent out to 175 women of the city who might be interested in the Women’s Club, requesting they attend a meeting at the council chamber.

“Mrs. E.G. Kingsford was elected as the club’s first president,” said Hendrickson, noting the study groups are still in existence.

Mary Frances Kingsford’s husband, Edward G. Kingsford, was instrumental in establishing Ford Motor Co. in the community that bears his name.

Taking over leadership in 1913 was Mrs. R.S. Powell, followed by Miss Mary Beer in 1914 and Mrs. Gilbert V. Carpenter in 1915.

In addition to Kingsford, Beer and Powell, other known charter members included Mrs. William Cudlip, Mrs. W.W. Thompson, Mrs. J.A. Bangs, Mrs. F.C. Cole, Mrs. S.E. Cruse, Mrs. T.A. Hanna.

BY "LIVING THE VOLUNTEER Spirit” for more than a century, Iron Mountain-Kingsford General Federation of Women’s Club members have tried to lead by example in the community. The women’s club style show has been an annual tradition since the late 1940s. Shown is a past fashion show program — year unknown — that highlights all the area clothing store participants. (Contributed photo)

One of the club’s first efforts was establishing parent-teachers groups in all the schools.

“This led to the club sponsoring public baths for boys at the Chapin Dry,” she said. “Many homes didn’t have bathing facilities during that time and they continued to support it for several years.”

The club became a voice in bettering the community, as they petitioned the mayor and council to eliminate carnivals and street fairs they termed “detrimental both morally and financially to the welfare of the city.” In addition, they also requested a “no spitting on the streets” ordinance be enforced.

During World War I, members supported the U.S. efforts by conserving food, planting gardens and preserving vegetables and fruit. They also purchased Liberty Bonds, contributed to the tobacco fund in France, knitted items for the Red Cross and sent clothing to France.

After the war ended, they continued to address community issues and organized a community center.

BY "LIVING THE VOLUNTEER Spirit” for more than a century, Iron Mountain-Kingsford General Federation of Women’s Club members have tried to lead by example in the community. The women’s club style show has been an annual tradition since the late 1940s. Shown is a past fashion show program — year unknown — that highlights all the area clothing store participants. (Contributed photo)

In 1920, the club with its 146 members, opened and furnished a comfort station and public restroom.

They then conducted a “City Beautiful” campaign by planting flowers and hosting a flower show. As part of their fundraising efforts, they published a cookbook dedicated to their first president, “Modern Meals and Methods for Modern Maids and Matrons.”

During the challenging times of the Great Depression, the club furnished clothing to the needy and started a toy project for Christmas.

Documentation stated that in 1935, they changed the name to the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Women’s Club.

The Scholarship Loan Fund was established in 1939 and became a club priority.

World War II didn’t stop the women from rolling up their sleeves, as they organized for National Defense with home nursing classes, a knitting group, Red Cross work, blood donor unit, a nutrition class and canteen service. They also collected metal, rubber and baking grease in the effort. Women also purchased savings stamps and War Bonds.

After the war, they again focused on the community.

In 1948, the club hosted its first style show, which has become an annual event.

“Another long-standing tradition of the club is the senior girls’ tea,” Hendrickson said.

The club regularly had more than 350 members in the 1950s and 1960, she said, adding, “Great things were happening.”

The club celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1962 with advice columnist Ann Landers as the keynote speaker. The Milwaukee Journal ran a half-page feature article on the event.

“Our women’s club was very instrumental in starting the community schools program here,” Hendrickson said. “Bringing that to the U.P. was huge — that is one of the best things for our area.”

Of note are the students who have been able to receive their GED certification thanks to the program, Hendrickson said.

During that time, the IM-K GFWC incorporated as a non-profit organization.

Other projects they spearheaded, was the establishment of Dickinson County Council for the Arts. They also contributed to drives for the hospital, county library, mental health clinic, guild guidance center, a sheltered workshop, a senior citizen center and community pool.

The IM-K GFWC was chosen as Club of the Year in 1983 at the state convention and in 1987 was honored with a first-place state award for leadership.

They also received a number of other awards over their 110 years.

In the late ’80s, club leaders took time to start the Litter Pick-Up Campaign. They remained dedicated to beautification of the cities as well.

They were responsible for the Parade of Lights for the World Cup Ski Tournament, a large fundraiser.

Among their most ambitious projects was the Academic Booster Club for both schools during that time.

“We have been longtime supporters of the Menominee Range Historical Museum as well as its restoration of the World War II Glider project,” Hendrickson added. “We are trying to hold onto the history of our community.”

Hendrickson noted they “did a lot of legwork” to help to establish Bay College in Iron Mountain.

“This organization has accomplished a lot in the last 110-plus years,” she said.

Today, they maintain its original purpose “to promote through organized efforts the ethical, intellectual and social culture of its members, and to further all measures for the betterment of the community.”

“We have those older traditions of being a club activity involved in earning money to support local community initiatives to national projects,” Hendrickson said.

Locally, they support Clothing for Warmth, Community Schools Spelling Bee, Senior Girls Tea, food pantries, Friends of the Braumart, Art for All, Downtown Development Authority, law enforcement and high school music departments.

They also provide funding to Bay College Student Scholarship, Dickinson County Community Chorus, Menominee Range Museums, Dickinson County Library and Almost Home Animals Shelter, local nursing home and veteran parties and other programs at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Hospital, Bay Cliff Health Camp, Girlstown, GFWC Education Fund and Heifer International.

Money is raised throughout the year with various activities, including their annual holiday fruitcake sale.

GFWC took over the annual book sale at Midtown Mall from American Association of University Women last year, and will continue it into the future. “The community loves that book sale,” she said. “All the money earned goes back to all those charities we support.”

Hendrickson noted one significant change made — prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the club was by invitation only.

“All clubs are experiencing a lack of membership, that’s why a number of them are no longer in existence today,” she said, adding they currently have about 70 members and welcomes anyone interested in joining.

GFWC meets September through June, with a special presentation planned each month.