History The Goochland Woman’s Club
History was made on February 13, 1963 at 8 p.m. when twenty-two ladies met at the home of Mrs. Paul Halla. After the third meeting, membership was closed with forty- three club members. The Goochland Woman's Club was officially elected to membership in the Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs on April 14, 1964.
The purpose of the club was to give women of the county an opportunity to get acquainted and take an active role in community, state, national and world affairs. The club was created as a service organization devoted to philanthropic endeavors. Over the years, the club has helped in almost every facet of Goochland County. The organization known for its acts large and small, such as: purchasing a much needed infant car seat, cookies for special L.D. classes, an Easter Seal campership for a county child with special needs, Books for Babies to support literacy, assisting with local homes for Habitat for Humanity recipients, providing volunteer support to the staff at the Goochland Free Clinic or the local branch of the Pamunky Regional Library, a college scholarship for a Goochland high school graduate, and sending local students to Hugh O’Brian Leadership seminars.
The club is proud of its beautification efforts in the Courthouse area, with benches placed near the old library and landscaping of the Courthouse and School Annex Buildings. Education has long been a special focus and for over four decades members have devoted many hours to reading programs in the elementary schools, supported special tutoring initiatives, and provided sponsorship for art contests, art mobiles and safe after prom parties, as well as serving on many boards.
Club members have chaired Goochland Day; paraded as club women, made GWC floats, ridden on floats -- decked out in costumes through the ages -- judged floats and baked food to help celebrate the spirit of Goochland.
The club has continuously supported the Goochland Christmas Mother in every aspect from taking applications, shopping, wrapping, delivering, adopting families. Over the years, a number of members have been chosen to serve as the county’s Christmas Mother.
The health and safety of the Goochland citizenry has also been of importance to the women of the Goochland Woman’s Club. Members have prepared meals for the volunteer medical staff of the county’s free clinic, transported patients for medical treatment, staffed portable mammogram mobiles, serve on fire and rescue auxiliaries and financially support each of the county’s six fire/rescue stations.
The club has supplied docents for the Governor’s Mansion and the Lee District project, escorted children through the State Fair for GFWC Virginia, supported Operation Smile, Canine Companions, and Sock a Vet through the GFWC. The club takes pride in supporting as many local, district, state, and national projects as possible each year.
Today, the GFWC Goochland Woman’s Club remains a thriving organization that continues to serve its county through most of these same endeavors. Many county women, past and present, enjoy the rewards of serving their community through club work in a forum that provides ample opportunity for learning, leadership and friendship.
The Goochland Woman’s Club-- “Together in Service and Fellowship”