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

Washington, DC Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and Federal district of the United States, federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from ...

, 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 longest-serving First Lady of the United States, first lady of the United States, during her husband Franklin D ...

and suffragist Minnie Fisher Cunningham.

History

The WNDC was founded in 1922 by Emily Newell Blair 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 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, serving from 1923 to 1929. A Republican Party (United States), Republican lawyer from Massachusetts, he previously ...

, 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. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., it has served as the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800 whe ...

at 820 Connecticut Avenue, NW. In 1927, the WNDC moved into a home located at 1526 New Hampshire Avenue, NW in Washington's

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neighborhood. The home was previously owned by Sarah Adams Whittemore, a descendant of

John Adams John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was a Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father and the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Before Presidency of John Adams, his presidency, he was a leader of ...

, 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

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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 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 ( ; Bader; March 15, 1933 – September 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 Death and state funeral of Ruth Bader ...

Harry Belafonte Harry Belafonte ( ; born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr.; March 1, 1927 – April 25, 2023) was an American singer, actor, and civil rights activist who popularized calypso music with international audiences in the 1950s and 1960s. Belafonte ...

, and

Hillary Rodham Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton ( Rodham; born October 26, 1947) is an American politician, lawyer and diplomat. She was the 67th United States secretary of state in the administration of Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013, a U.S. senator represent ...

. 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

* Anna Black Beers (1836-1933), widow of Donald A. McDonald * Kay Shouse, first woman to chair the Federal Prison for Women Board *Rose Frances Hull *Eleanor Roosevelt *

Bess Truman Elizabeth Virginia Truman (; February 13, 1885October 18, 1982) was First Lady of the United States from 1945 to 1953 as the wife of President Harry S. Truman. She had previously served as Second Lady of the United States from January to April ...

*Minnie Fisher Cunningham, suffragist * Esther Peterson, American consumer and women's advocate *

Dorothy Vredenburgh Bush Dorothy McElroy Vredenburgh Bush (December 8, 1916 – December 21, 1991) was an American political activist. She was the secretary of the Democratic National Committee from 1944 to 1988. She also became the vice-president of the Young Democratic ...

, American political activist, secretary of the

Democratic National Committee The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is the principal executive leadership board of the United States's Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party. According to the party charter, it has "general responsibility for the affairs of the ...

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The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'', locally known as ''The'' ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'' or ''WP'', is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C., the national capital. It is the most widely circulated newspaper in the Washington m ...

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 * Nellie Ross, 14th governor of Wyoming * Eleanor Roosevelt Seagraves, 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 fourth United States Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945, the longest serving in that position. A member o ...

* Muriel Humphrey *

Marjorie Merriweather Post Marjorie Merriweather Post (March 15, 1887 – September 12, 1973) was an American businesswoman, socialite, and philanthropist. She was the daughter of C. W. Post and the owner of General Foods, General Foods Corporation. For much of Post's l ...

* Katie Louchheim *

Joan Mondale Joan Mondale (née Adams; August 8, 1930 – February 3, 2014) was the Second ladies and gentlemen of the United States, second lady of the United States from 1977 until 1981 as the wife of Walter Mondale, the 42nd vice president of the United S ...

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.