The Wisconsin Federation of Women's Clubs, an affiliate of the national General Federation of Women's Clubs, was organized in Milwaukee in October 1896, incorporating 63 existing clubs in ten districts. The Second District is composed of Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, and Waukesha counties. Each district elects executive officers who meet in formal session at least once each year to direct the work of the district's clubs. A convention of the entire membership gathers each spring. On May 12, 1914, in Beaver Dam, the Second District was formally organized and the first election of officers was held. In addition to the district federation, local clubs are organized into county-wide federations. Annually each club reports its activities to the county federation president, who passes the reports on to the district president, and ultimately, to the state president.
Since its organization the WFWC has promoted civic awareness and responsibility as well as cultural enrichment of individual members and social activities. The clubs of the Second District have established and supported local libraries; contributed to special funds to assist needy students, American Indians, the mentally ill, war refugees, and others. The Second District clubs also sponsored the Helen Mears Art Contest and the Theodora Youmans Citizenship Award, helped purchase the site of the territorial capitol building in Belmont, and contributed to the restoration of it and of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Other areas of club activity include home life, health and safety, and public and international affairs.
