Alice Wiley Seay founded the Empire State Federation of Women's Clubs (ESFWC) in Brooklyn in August 1908.[3][4] The first convention took place at the Bethel A.M.E. Church in New York City in July 1909.[5] The organization has created educational endowments.[2] In 1933, they formed the Empire State Association of Youth Clubs for black girls.[2]
The organization also saw that Harriet Tubman, who was living in poverty in the Tubman Home, would need continuing donations to support her care in her old age.[6] The ESFWC was sending Tubman $25 a month for expenses, which supplemented the $20 a month she received as a pension.[7] Tubman's expenses came to around $40 a month.[8] The club has continued to honor Tubman's memory in various ways. In 1915, the group created a monument designed by Mrs. Jackson Stewart at Tubman's grave.[9] In 1974, the ESFWC paid tribute to Tubman at their annual convention, and over 300 women attending the convention visited the Tubman home.[10]
