It was in 1919 that women were admitted to the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee, a year before the passage of the Women’s Suffrage Amendment. The Democratic Party historically and presently has been responsible, to a conspicuous degree, for the modern development that has given women recognition in government.
In one of her newspaper columns of 1939, Eleanor Roosevelt suggested that there be a Democratic Women’s day celebration. Her proposal was taken up immediately, and Women's Day has become an annual event since then.
Each federated club in Pennsylvania is urged to celebrate Women’s Day with a fund-raising event for the benefit of the State Federation. The Federation then gives 25% of Women’s Day proceeds to the Memorial Scholarship Fund. The remainder is used for Federation operating expenses.
As each club and member forward their Women’s Day donation to the federation they accompany it with a nomination for PFDW's Woman of the Year. From these nominations the annual PFDW Woman of the Year is selected and is recognized at a special dinner during the Annual Convention.