Became woke? They were born of woke. It’s just more open now.
Funny, but GS were viewed as scandalously improper women by many back in 1912, when it all started. The role of the Founder herself as a well-raised lady from respected Savannah/Chicago families, and the support of the upper classes including the First Lady as honorary head, helped overcome the gender barriers to female leadership and self-sufficiency.