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Women's City Club of New York - Who We Are

Who We Are

The Women's City Club of New York, established in 1915, is a nonprofit, non-partisan, multi-issue activist organization dedicated to improving the lives of all New Yorkers. The WCC shapes public policy to promote responsive government through issue analysis, education, advocacy and civic participation.

Why “Women's”?

Since 1915, we have been giving opportunities to women to play significant roles in the public forum and to be heard as voices of experience.

Why “City”?

We have found we can educate ourselves and the public about the issues and make an impact by focusing primarily on our enormous and vital city.

Why “Club”?

Although we don't have a clubhouse, we are a community. We enjoy the company of others with similar energy and idealism, and we learn a tremendous amount from the vast experience of other members. We welcome new members – come and participate in a range of activity or simply attend an occasional program or event.

WCC Vision

While looking forward to the WCC's 100th anniversary in 2015, members continue to provide an experienced public policy voice in response to contemporary issues. Assisted by professional staff, these volunteers identify and remain informed about the critical concerns of the day, often seeing problems before they emerge and creating solutions that work for all New Yorkers. The WCC's members maintain working relationships with City and State legislators and are a sought after resource for policy makers. This model of informed activism has earned the organization the respect of the civic community and the attention of public officials who have called members "reasoned citizen-advocates who know the way to City Hall."

Unique among civic groups, the WCC is a member-driven / staff partnership organization. WCC brings together women of all ages who wish to learn about and advocate for public policies that impact their lives, their families, their communities and New York City. WCC members choose how and when they participate within a flexible and supportive structure.

WCC Priority Issues

• Government Accountability and Transparency
• Health Care Reform
• Affordable Housing
• Improving NYC’s Environment and Infrastructure
• Women’s Issues– Reproductive Rights, Pay Equity
• Poverty Reduction
• Preserving NYC’s Cultural and Historic Heritage

Joining is easy – click here

For more information, look through our website and feel free to contact us:

Women’s City Club of New York
307 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1403
New York, NY 10001
Tel: 212.353.8070
Fax: 212.228.4665
Email: info@wccny.org

Ruth E. Acker, President
x 202 • racker@wccny.org

Heidi Overbeck, Program & Volunteer Coordinator
x 200 • hoverbeck@wccny.org

Jorge Ruiz, Membership & Development Coordinator
x 205 • jruiz@wccny.org



Past Presidents celebrate WCC’s 90th Anniversary at Gracie Mansion. Pictured from left to right are Margaret B. Howard: 1993-1995; Ethel Paley: 1988-1989; Phyllis Lusskin: 1986-1988;
Blanche E. Lawton: 2001-2007; Susan Alt:
1990-1993; Elizabeth Lubetkin Lipton: 1998-2001; Nora Lavori: 1995-1996.

Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady and former WCC member, delivers 25th anniversary address (1941). (l to r) Miss Juliet M. Bartlett, WCC President; Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt; Dr. Josephine S. Baker, WCC founding member; Council President Newbold Morris; and Alice Duer Miller, first president of the club.
(The New York Times)

2008-2009 Annual Report

 

Our Advocacy Committees
and Task Forces

Our Organization

  • PUBLIC POLICY: The Public Policy Committee coordinates the policy and advocacy activities of the WCC. It analyzes and develops policy initiatives in areas not covered by the Civic Committees and facilitates public policy decision making by the Board of Directors.

  • PUBLIC PROGRAMS: WCC's Public Programs are the educational arm of the organization. Calling on the expertise of elected and other officials, academics, professionals in various fields, and Pulitzer Prize winning authors, WCC's Public Programs are nonpartisan, educational forums that highlight current and emerging public policy issues, programs and trends.
    Click here for the program calendar.

  • COMMUNICATIONS: WCC regularly communicates with members and the broader community through its website, email alerts, calendar of events, newsletters and bulletins to inform, motivate and mobilize its constituency.

  • DEVELOPMENT: WCC's fundraising activities include special appeals, benefits and events, foundation, corporate and individual support, and special projects such as the sale of "Elsie's Tours."

  • MEMBERSHIP: WCC’s members are offered hands-on experience with policy issues, the opportunity to work with advocates from diverse professional backgrounds, and present their recommendations to public officials.

  • ORAL HISTORY AND ARCHIVES: Written histories of WCC members documenting the lives and experiences of remarkable women not in history books are recorded by this Committee. More than 50 oral histories of WCC members have been compiled thus far. The WCC’s important historic documents are archived at Hunter College and used extensively by scholars.

 

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