In the fall of 1949, the first discussions began about creating what would later become known as the Minnesota Women of Today. By May of 1950, the organization was formally created as the Mrs. Jaycees of Minnesota. Within the first five years, there were already over 60 local chapters formed in the state. By 1957, Minnesota had the largest state organization in the nation, with 90 local chapters. By 1979, there were over 5,000 members within the state.
By 1982-83, a major issue arose concerning the affiliation of a local Jaycees club to the local Mrs. Jaycees branch. Without a local Jaycees club, a local chapter would have been forced to close. However, the Jaycees and the Mrs. Jaycees worked closely together to establish the needed Jaycees chapters in the areas where they were needed. Therefore, they were able to ensure that the local branch of the Mrs. Jaycees wouldn’t be forced to close.
Although the Jaycees and the Mrs. Jaycees started out as separate clubs divided by gender, by July 3, 1984, the Supreme Court ruled that women must be allowed membership privileges in to the Jaycee organization. This left the current Mrs. Jaycees clubs with the decision to either join forces with the local Jaycees and become one group or to establish their own organization. So in April of 1985, the US Jaycee Women Executive Council drafted a resolution to dissolve the group on July 1, 1985. This motion was voted on and approved by the members at the Indianapolis National Convention on June 17, 1985. While at this convention, there was a special meeting held for those who were interested reorganizing as a new club – The Women of Today. In recognition of the National Convention held in 1985, every year the Women of Today celebrate Founders Day on July 1.
Once the Women of Today organization was formed, there was a mid-year meeting held to form the following committees: By-Laws, Future Directions, Programming and Finance. At the same time they developed a national creed and logo as well.
By July of 1986, there were chapters in the following 21 states: MN, WA, AR, IL, MO, PA, MA, SD, NE, CA, ND, IA, MT, NJ, ID, MI, OH, OK, WI, TN and WY.
By 1989, the US Women of Today expanded to an all-time high of chapters in 18 states with 5, 273 members.
As of the end of 1997, the US Women of today had 4,045 members in 219 chapters in 17 states. By that time, the organization had donated over $10,000,000 to various charities and organizations.
Today we have over 100 chapters (with 49 chapters in MN) in 13 states and one international chapter located in Cyprus.
