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March 17, 2022
View our Important Dates page for upcoming events and milestones.
A Memorable Women’s History Month Event
On March 9, GFWC continued its tradition of celebrating Women’s History Month in honor and commemoration of the contributions made by women in history and contemporary society. Clubwomen and other guests were invited to a fun and educational afternoon featuring guest speaker Stephen A. Hansen, architectural historian, historic preservation specialist, and author.
Hansen is the author of A History of Dupont Circle: Center of High Society in the Capital, which chronicles the neighborhood of GFWC Headquarters. During the event, he shared stories about the history of the Dupont Circle area and its earliest residents with attendees. Following his riveting presentation, Hansen offered book signings to those interested.
In addition to the many welcomed attendees, GFWC was excited to open its doors to Anna Fierst, a Past President of the Woman’s National Democratic Club and great granddaughter of Eleanor Roosevelt, who was a GFWC member.
Visit this year’s Women’s History Month Event photo album and download photos of this fun and educational event.
If you would like to download the individual images, click on the arrow in the lower right corner of each photo. To download the entire folder, click the “Download All” arrow in the lower right corner of the photo at the top of the screen. You will be prompted to enter your email address, which you will need to verify by clicking on the link in the verification email you will receive. After doing so, you will receive a second email with an option to download the entire photo album.
If you were unable to attend the event or are simply interested in learning more about the history of Dupont Circle and GFWC, read the Winter 2022 edition of the WHRC News newsletter.
Enjoy the photos and we hope to see you all again next year!
President’s Pick
By Marian St.Clair, International President
The GFWC Blog is an amazing resource for club ideas that are custom-made for success. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I do! The many meaningful projects that clubs take on never fail to amaze me and I’m often inspired by the creativity and the dedication of our clubwomen.
Choosing a “President’s Pick” is not an easy job, so I often look for a “little something extra” that distinguishes one project from the others. This month the project that caught my eye was a life-skills training program by the GFWC Sisters of Service Women’s Club, Inc. (Florida) for at-risk youth who are 7-10 years old. And, in this case, the “little something extra” is not so little—it includes a $20,000 grant from the Tallahassee-Leon Cares Group, a $250 Costco gift card, a $1,500 micro grant from Walmart, and an effort to work collectively with other community groups and volunteers.
The purpose of the program is to teach basic skills that are no longer a part of school curriculums, such as personal and dental hygiene, laundering clothes, budgeting, couponing, grocery shopping, and cooking. “Kids are struggling to become successful adults,” Charter President Vanessa Moore explained, “It’s our job to make sure younger generations don’t struggle. We want to empower them with this knowledge.”
The two-year grant funding will cover the cost of supplies, while the gift card and micro grant will be used to supply breakfast prior to the Saturday classes. A local charter school has offered the use of their space, local church volunteers will provide student transportation, and many local teachers, chefs, healthcare professionals, and others are on tap to assist with classes.
Nurturing children into healthy, happy, and productive adults is a long-standing and key component of GFWC’s work, which threads throughout our Special Programs and Community Service Programs. Certainly, there are few needs that merit our attention more than children who are navigating life without the care and support they need to thrive. Congratulations to President Moore and the club’s many dedicated members for their commitment to assist, encourage, and enable children, and to serve their community faithfully. Well done!
For more information on this project and others supported by the GFWC Sisters of Service Women’s Club, Inc., follow them on their Facebook page.
Cares & Concerns
We are sad to share the news that Mary Joyce Swanda, Past Oklahoma State President (1990-1992), passed away on March 3. Mary was a well-loved member of the Federation for many years.
Volunteers in Action
This week’s GFWC Blog features the GFWC North Pinellas Woman’s Club (Florida) and the work one member has done to recognize International Past President Judy Lutz (2002-2004) and GFWC as a whole. Check out this story of how Judy was selected to be featured in a Women Trailblazers in History exhibit at a local museum and how the exhibit is educating current and prospective members about the Federation.
In recognition of Federation Day on April 24, GFWC is celebrating the long history of clubwomen working tirelessly within their communities to make the world a better place. Through these efforts, GFWC clubs often form long-term partnerships with various local organizations. If your club has been working with a local charity or nonprofit for years, send your success stories to PR@GFWC.org to be considered for a special GFWC Blog series.
Help UNICEF Support Children in the Ukraine
GFWC Affiliate Organization UNICEF USA continues to stay at the forefront of the humanitarian response for Ukraine and is providing essential services to vulnerable children and families affected by the conflict. Donate today to support UNICEF’s efforts and help ensure children have access to clean water, nutrition, health care, education, and safe conditions.
GFWC continues to hold the Women’s Club of Ukraine in its thoughts. For continuous coverage on this war crisis, visit apnews.com.
Time Is Running Out: Convention Program Ad Sales
The April 1 deadline for placing an ad in the 2022 Convention Program is rapidly approaching! Convention brings clubwomen together from across the country to celebrate all of the hard work they’ve put into their communities. That makes it the prime place to share your love and appreciation for the clubwomen in your life. Purchasing an ad in the 2022 Convention Program, which every attendee receives, is an opportunity to be loud and proud about your club or Federation sisters. Whether they’re doing a great job as leaders in this Administration or they’ve been there for you through difficult times, shine a spotlight on them!
Orders and payment must be received by April 1. Check out our Convention Program ad form to see your options. Submit your form to Publications and Project Manager Taylor Fussman.
The Registration Parade Begins Here
By Lisa M. Hedrick, Credentials Chairman
Are you ready for the 2022 GFWC Annual Convention this June 25–28? The Credentials Committee Members, including Martha Casassa, Tric Heepe, Karen Leach, Michelle Munoz, Sharon Sheridan, and I, anxiously await your arrival at the registration desks in New Orleans. We will be ready to help you obtain your credentials and then get you on your way to food, fun, music, and dance with the best friends ever!
Before you ever arrive, the Committee members will verify the levels of all attendees. If there are questions, we might call you. Voting privileges are granted only to those registered for the entire Convention. Attendees paying daily registration do not have voting privileges so please look at the registration carefully. This is an election year and GFWC’s future depends on you.
Not sure if you can vote? Check out the Credentials and Voting page of the Call to Convention. All levels are explained to help you identify your status:
- Club Level
- Board Level
- Region Level
- State Level
- GFWC National or International Club
- National Organization or International Affiliate
The Early Bird registration deadline is April 30 and registration closes May 31.
Register for the 2022 GFWC Annual Convention today and let us help you start the parade to NOLA!
Get Your 2022 Convention Patron Pin
The 2022 Convention Patron Pin is available for purchase! Select either the single-stone pin for $50 or the multi-colored stone pin for $100. Download the order form to secure your pin while supplies last and mail it to South Central Region representative Mary Ann Arnold at the address listed. A special reception will be held in the GFWC International President’s Suite following the Friday night Gala, for those wearing the Convention Patron Pin.
Help Children Paint Their Path to Personal Growth
By Angela Cutrera, GFWC Arts and Culture Chairman
Paintings of many sorts are magnificent art forms that could serve as inspiration for your club’s Youth Art Contest. Creating beautiful textures and color combinations on canvas, or even some paper, is an excellent outlet for personal growth and expression.
The most common and affordable paint type is acrylic paint, easily found in any department or craft store, or on smile.amazon.com where Amazon donates to GFWC. It is the most professional of the inexpensive paint materials as it is often used by artists, as well as children. Watercolors are also easy to use and are readily available. Contests should be organized by age group so that every child has the opportunity to do their best in the contest. The competition should strive to be as inclusive as possible, but it should have the ability to engage the community, regardless of your club’s budget.
Other painting mediums, such as oil painting, are not as suitable for a children’s art contest. Oil paints require lots of time (and patience) to dry, are costly, and need specific paint brushes that may be harder to find. Painting with oils is also a difficult process and needs to be done in a very well-ventilated room.
If you haven’t already, paint your club’s path to participate in this Administration’s Arts Challenge Project, Arts and Culture: Youth Art Contest. I look forward to reading about your club’s success story on the GFWC Blog (send submissions to PR@GFWC.org).
12 Success for Survivors Scholarships to Be Awarded
GFWC will award more Success for Survivor Scholarships in 2022 than in recent years! There will be 12 scholarship recipients, thanks to the generous donations from clubwomen, clubs, State Federations, and others. GFWC originally expected to award 10 scholarships, but everyone’s support has made it possible to help two additional survivors achieve financial and personal independence. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to this important scholarship program!
Office Depot Savings Program through March 28
Spring is a wonderful opportunity to break out the cleaning products, get organized, and declutter for a healthier work environment. Your GFWC Office Depot Savings Program can help you rejuvenate your workspace and stay productive while keeping the essentials in stock.
Open or use your business.officedepot.com account and save up to 75% off on Office Depot’s Best Value List of preferred products, compared to the regular retail price offered on officedepot.com. Plus, you’ll enjoy free next-business-day delivery on qualifying orders of $50 or more within local delivery areas.
The GFWC Office Depot Savings Program is also offering up to $30 in coupons valid through March 28; these coupons are only valid online and some exclusions apply. Take advantage of this great deal before it’s gone!
Visit Officediscounts.org/GFWC to shop online through their Office Depot Savings Program.
Western States Region: Kate LeMere, President
GFWC Western States Region President Kate LeMere chose Everyday Heroes as her Administration theme. She selected this theme because she believes it is important for GFWC clubwomen to show their appreciation to the people in their communities who are working hard every day to protect, support, and generally make the lives of their neighbors better. These acts usually happen without fanfare and without a great deal of recognition, but they serve to keep everyone safe, fed, warm, and healthy.
Kate encouraged clubs in the Region to invite these outstanding community members to their meetings as a way to increase awareness of how they are making a difference and to recognize them for their dedication to helping others. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, clubs were not able to invite many community heroes to their meetings, but Kate hopes this will change as clubwomen begin to gather together again.
Although clubs could not meet in person for much of the Administration, members were still able to find ways to recognize the Everyday Heroes in their towns and throughout the Region. For example, members of the Region raised awareness about the work of Kim Langas, who launched Free the Girls, a nonprofit organization that provides new- and gently-used bras to Africa and Central America, where they can help a survivor of sex trafficking earn an income.
From founders of impactful nonprofits to nurses to waste collectors, GFWC Western States Region is filled with Everyday Heroes.
Club Anniversaries and Gold Pin Recipients
Club Anniversaries
10th
GFWC Juniorettes Long Valley (New Jersey)
15th
GFWC Juniorettes Princeton Area (New Jersey)
20th
GFWC Lillies (New Jersey)
25th
GFWC 25840 Junior Alumnae Club (West Virginia)
GFWC Juniorettes Verona-Essex (New Jersey)
30th
GFWC Allendale Woman’s Club (New Jersey)
35th
GFWC Juniorettes South Plainfield (New Jersey)
45th
GFWC North Jersey Woman’s Club (New Jersey)
50th
GFWC Eighth District Contemporaries (New Jersey)
GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Elkins (West Virginia)
GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Harrington Park (New Jersey)
GFWC Mountaineer Woman’s Club (West Virginia)
GFWC Shades Mountain Woman’s Club (Alabama)
GFWC Vernon Township Woman’s Club (New Jersey)
55th
GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Sparta (New Jersey)
GFWC Montgomery Woman’s Club (New Jersey)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Brielle (New Jersey)
60th
GFWC Cresskill Woman’s Club (New Jersey)
GFWC West Virginia Bethany Woman’s Club (West Virginia)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Kountze (Texas)
65th
GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of West Morris (New Jersey)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Middletown (New Jersey)
70th
GFWC Bridgeport Junior Woman’s Club (West Virginia)
GFWC Riverdale Woman’s Club (New Jersey)
GFWC Woman’s Club of South Norfolk (Virginia)
75th
GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of River Edge (New Jersey)
GFWC Oceana Woman’s Club (West Virginia)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Denville-Rockaway Area (New Jersey)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Mullica Hill (New Jersey)
GFWC West Virginia Ronceverte Woman’s Club (West Virginia)
80th
GFWC Civic League of Warwood (West Virginia)
GFWC Pompton Lakes Woman’s Club (New Jersey)
85th
GFWC California Past Presidents’ Club (California)
GFWC Clendenin Woman’s Club (West Virginia)
GFWC Fayetteville Woman’s Club (West Virginia)
GFWC Jersey Shore Woman’s Club (New Jersey)
90th
GFWC Naples Woman’s Club (Florida)
GFWC Women’s Club of Livingston Township (New Jersey)
95th
GFWC Moorefield Woman’s Club (West Virginia)
GFWC West Virginia Follansbee 20th Century Club (West Virginia)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Martinsburg (West Virginia)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Point Pleasant (New Jersey)
100th
GFWC El Segundo Woman’s Club (California)
GFWC Ex-Presidents Club of Garden District (New Jersey)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Belleville (New Jersey)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Clinton (New Jersey)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Cranbury (New Jersey)
105th
GFWC Book and Needle Club, Inc. (New Jersey)
GFWC McDowell Woman’s Club (West Virginia)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Maplewood (New Jersey)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Montgomery (West Virginia)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Penns Grove/Carneys Point (New Jersey)
110th
GFWC Fortnightly Club (New Jersey)
GFWC Wednesday Club of Hinton (West Virginia)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Wheeling (West Virginia)
115th
GFWC Woman’s League of Mount Holly (New Jersey)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Fairmont (West Virginia)
120th
GFWC Mutual Improvement Club of Ronceverte (West Virginia)
125th
GFWC Delaware State Federation of Women’s Clubs (Delaware)
GFWC Kalmia Club (New Jersey)
GFWC Menominee Woman’s Club (Michigan)
Gold Pin Recipients
Barbara Burgard
GFWC Hill and Valley Club (California)
Becky Elensky
GFWC Curwensville Woman’s Club (Pennsylvania)
Mary Beth Elmore
GFWC Woman’s Club of Huntington (West Virginia)
Linda Fischer
GFWC Cosmopolitan Women’s Club (Missouri)
Ruth Gilbert
GFWC Woman’s Club of Huntington (West Virginia)
Jan Guyette
GFWC Friends in Council (New Hampshire)
Alaine Hanke
GFWC Hill and Valley Club (California)
Erline Jessman
GFWC Friends in Council (New Hampshire)
Barbara Jewart
GFWC Curwensville Woman’s Club (Pennsylvania)
Ann Justice
GFWC Woman’s Club of Huntington (West Virginia)
Joyce Kerr
GFWC State College Woman’s Club (Pennsylvania)
Glenna F. Kirk
GFWC Oklahoma Cheyenne Sorosis Club (Oklahoma)
Shirley Lewis
GFWC Woman’s Club of Huntington (West Virginia)
Lucille Lorge
GFWC Hill and Valley Club (California)
Kit Muth
GFWC Woman’s Club of Huntington (West Virginia)
Carol J. Palmer
GFWC State College Woman’s Club (Pennsylvania)
June Rigley
GFWC Hill and Valley Club (California)
Pat Rountree
GFWC La Habra Woman’s Club (California)
Ivous Sisk
GFWC du Midi Woman’s Club (Alabama)
Mary Beth Snavely
GFWC Woman’s Club of Huntington (West Virginia)
Nancy Spannuth
GFWC State College Woman’s Club (Pennsylvania)
Jennifer Spielman
GFWC Monroe Woman’s Club (Wisconsin)
Louise Y. Tukey
GFWC State College Woman’s Club (Pennsylvania)
Jean Whitko
GFWC PA Women’s Civic Club of Schwenksville (Pennsylvania)
Sharon Winn
GFWC Woman’s Club of Shelbyville (Missouri)
Beth Wolfe
GFWC Woman’s Club of McMechen (West Virginia)
GFWC Marketplace: USA and GFWC Flags in Desk Base
The GFWC and USA flag set is a quick and easy way to decorate a head table, enhance a centerpiece, or promote GFWC at a community event. Each flag is 4 inches by 6 inches and set in a small black base. Order yours today.
There could be some mail service delays throughout the pandemic. To speed up processing of your order, we request that you pay for your order at time of purchase in the Member Portal. For information on mail service in your area, visit the USPS Service Alerts page. |
