The Woman's National Democratic Club (WNDC) is a membership organization based in

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, that offers programs, events, and activities that encourage political action and civic engagement. The WNDC was founded in 1922 with the goal of providing a meeting place where Democratic women could engage in political dialogue and activities. The club was the first dedicated meeting space for women of the Democratic party. Notable members have included

Eleanor Roosevelt Anna Eleanor Roosevelt () (October 11, 1884November 7, 1962) was an American political figure, diplomat, and activist. She was the first lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945, during her husband President Franklin D. Roosevelt's four ...

and suffragist Minnie Fisher Cunningham.

History

The WNDC was founded in 1922 by

Emily Newell Blair Emily Newell Blair (January 9, 1877 – August 3, 1951) was an American writer, suffragist, feminist, national Democratic Party political leader, and a founder of the League of Women Voters. Biography Early life and ancestors Emily Jane Newel ...

and Daisy Harriman with the goal of garnering support for the Democratic party. One of the club's major goals was to keep the party active between campaigns. Blair had previously been active in the Democratic National Convention's Women's Division. After

John W. Davis John William Davis (April 13, 1873 – March 24, 1955) was an American politician, diplomat and lawyer. He served under President Woodrow Wilson as the Solicitor General of the United States and the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom ...

lost the presidential election to

Calvin Coolidge Calvin Coolidge (born John Calvin Coolidge Jr.; ; July 4, 1872January 5, 1933) was the 30th president of the United States from 1923 to 1929. Born in Vermont, Coolidge was a History of the Republican Party (United States), Republican lawyer ...

, the DNC closed its headquarters due to financial hardship. The WNDC provided support for the DNC by continuing to organize party activities, providing desk space, and storing DNC records. The WNDC began hosting twice-weekly programs and events in 1924. The WNDC's first meetings were held in Harriman's Georgetown home. The club's first dedicated space was located near

The White House The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., and has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800. ...

at 820 Connecticut Avenue, NW. In 1927, the WNDC moved into a home located at 1526 New Hampshire Avenue, NW in Washington's Dupont Circle neighborhood. The home was previously owned by Sarah Adams Whittemore, a descendant of

John Adams John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was an American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Befor ...

, and is still known as the Whittemore House. The WNDC held a dedication ceremony at the property on May 10, 1927. The WNDC offered membership for both Washington, DC residents and nonresidents. Eleanor Roosevelt was a nonresident member prior to becoming

First Lady of the United States The first lady of the United States (FLOTUS) is the title held by the hostess of the White House, usually the wife of the president of the United States, concurrent with the president's term in office. Although the first lady's role has never ...

and remained an active member during her time in The White House and beyond. In the 1960s, Roosevelt delivered radio addresses for the club's library. The WNDC library and a club award are named in her honor. Prior to the 1955–56 season, WNDC only accepted white members. Gladys Duncan, a community leader, teacher, and wife of singer

Todd Duncan Robert Todd Duncan (February 12, 1903 – February 28, 1998) was an American baritone opera singer and actor. One of the first African-Americans to sing with a major opera company, Duncan is also noted for appearing as Porgy in the premier produ ...

was the club's first black member. WMDC's first voting male member, Wynn Newman, joined in 1988. Men were only allowed to join as associate members up until that time. The Whittemore House was added to the

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in 1973.

Present day

The WNDC continues to host programs or events twice each week when circumstances permit. Their headquarters is used for exhibitions and made available for community events. The WNDC gives awards each year including the Eleanor Award and the Woman of the Year Award. Notable recipients of the Eleanor Award include

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Joan Ruth Bader Ginsburg ( ; ; March 15, 1933September 18, 2020) was an American lawyer and jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1993 until her death in 2020. She was nominated by President ...

Harry Belafonte Harry Belafonte (born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr.; March 1, 1927) is an American singer, activist, and actor. As arguably the most successful Jamaican-American pop star, he popularized the Trinbagonian Caribbean musical style with an interna ...

, and

Hillary Rodham Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton ( Rodham; born October 26, 1947) is an American politician, diplomat, and former lawyer who served as the 67th United States Secretary of State for President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013, as a United States senat ...

. Clinton also received the Woman of the Year Award in 2017.

WNDC Educational Foundation

The WNDC Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization that hosts on-site events, encourages scholarly efforts, and manages outreach programs was founded in 1991.

Notable members

* Kay Shouse, first woman to chair the Federal Prison for Women Board *Rose Frances Hull *Eleanor Roosevelt * Bess Truman *Minnie Fisher Cunningham, suffragist *

Esther Peterson Esther Eggertsen Peterson (December 9, 1906 – December 20, 1997) was an American consumer and women's advocate. Background The daughter of Danish immigrants, Esther Eggertsen grew up in a Mormon family in Provo, Utah. She graduated from Brig ...

, American consumer and women's advocate * Dorothy Vredenburgh Bush, American political activist, secretary of the

Democratic National Committee The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is the governing body of the United States Democratic Party. The committee coordinates strategy to support Democratic Party candidates throughout the country for local, state, and national office, as well a ...

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The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large nati ...

Lindy Boggs Marie Corinne Morrison Claiborne Boggs (March 13, 1916 – July 27, 2013) was a politician who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and later as United States Ambassador to the Holy See. She was the first woman elected to Cong ...

, first woman elected to Congress from Louisiana * India Edwards *

Edith Bolling Edith Wilson ( Bolling, formerly Galt; October 15, 1872 – December 28, 1961) was the first lady of the United States from 1915 to 1921 and the second wife of President Woodrow Wilson. She married the widower Wilson in December 1915, during hi ...

* Nellie Ross, 14th governor of Wyoming *

Eleanor Roosevelt Seagraves Eleanor () is a feminine given name, originally from an Old French adaptation of the Old Provençal name ''Aliénor''. It is the name of a number of women of royalty and nobility in western Europe during the High Middle Ages. The name was introd ...

, American librarian, educator, historian, and editor *

Francis Perkins Frances Perkins (born Fannie Coralie Perkins; April 10, 1880 – May 14, 1965) was an American workers-rights advocate who served as the 4th United States secretary of labor from 1933 to 1945, the longest serving in that position. A member of th ...

Muriel Humphrey Muriel Fay Humphrey Brown (née Buck; February 20, 1912September 20, 1998) was an American politician who served as the second lady of the United States from 1965 to 1969, and as a U.S. Senator from Minnesota in 1978. She was married to the 38th ...

* Marjorie Merriweather Post *

Katie Louchheim Katie Louchheim (1903–1991) was a 20th-century American diplomat, Democratic National Committee (DNC) vice chair, poet, and writer. Background Kathleen Scofield ("Katie") was born on December 28, 1903, in New York City. Her father, L ...

* Joan Mondale

References

External links

Video: Hillary Clinton receives 2017 WNDC Democratic Woman of the Year Award, Nov 2, 2017
Democratic Party (United States) organizations Women's political advocacy groups in the United States Organizations established in 1922 Women in Washington, D.C.