Welcome to the Women's History Consortium

The Women's History Consortium, created by state statute (RCW 27.34.360) in 2005 as a Washington State Historical Society-led initiative, is dedicated to preserving and making available resources about Washington women's history.

Club Journal of Colored Women's Federation of Washington and Jurisdiction, 1922-1925

A recent addition to the Women's History Consortium Digital Archive is the Club Journal of Colored Women's Federation of Washington and Jurisdiction. Founded in 1917, this organization was known by various names, including the Washington State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, the Colored Women’s Federation of Washington and Jurisdiction and, in later years, the Washington State Association of Colored Women. Prominent members included Nettie Asberry, a founder of the Tacoma Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and a member of the Progressive Mothers' Club of Tacoma and the Tacoma Inter-Racial Council.

Other resources in recognition of Black History Month:

• Introduction to Black History, by Esther Mumford
• Seattle Republican: Northwest Negro Progress Number, 1909
• Do You Know Peggy Maxie?
• Mrs. Marion King Smith, State Representative, 37th District
• Susie Revels Cayton

WHC Oral History Project

The WHC Oral History Project brings together 27 participants of the Washington State Conference for Women to discuss their remembrance of the 1977 IWY conference in Ellensburg.

WHC Digital Archive

The WHC Digital Archive acts as a central index to the digital objects which are being contributed to the Women's History Consortium by our partner organizations. Each digitial collection in the Archive consists of material relevant to the study of women's history in Washington state. Although the Digital Archive itself is still in development, and the WHC is continually adding new partners and collections, it is at a point at which users can enjoyably browse collections and view objects, as well as do basic searches against one, a few, or all the collections.

Presentation by Dr. Karen Blair on
the History of Women's Clubs

Four 15 minute (approx.) segments

Dr. Karen Blair, noted authority on Women's Clubs nationally and in the Northwest, gave a one hour presentation on the history of the development of women's clubs arising out the aftermath of the Civil War at the Washington State History Museum March 29, 2007. The WHC recorded Dr. Blair's presentation to make available on this site.

Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs

A Condensed History of Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs 1896-1996

This book was originally compiled and published in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs and distributed at the April 1996, WSFWC Convention in Tacoma. The WHC re-issues it on our web site with the permission of the WSFWC.

• Enter Book
• Background of Book
• Presidents Administrative Summaries
• Presidents Photo Gallery

Utsalady Ladies Relief Club

Celebrating its 100th anniversary
on March 8, 2008

The Utsalady Ladies Relief Club, a longtime Camano Island women's club, will celebrate its 100th anniversary on March 8, 2008. The Ladies Relief Club building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

• Utsalady Ladies Relief