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May 13, 2021
View our Important Dates page for upcoming events and milestones.
Meet Equal Pay Advocate Lilly Ledbetter at the 2021 GFWC Annual Convention
GFWC is honored to have Lilly Ledbetter speaking at the 2021 GFWC Annual Convention, during the “Gateway to the World” Celebration Banquet on Friday, August 27. Born and raised in Alabama, Lilly Ledbetter spent more than a decade fighting for pay equality – a fight that eventually led her to the nation’s capital. Don’t miss the chance to hear Lilly’s inspiring story, and register for Convention by the June 15 Early Bird deadline.
Ledbetter’s journey for pay equity began in 1979, when she took a job at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Gadsen, Alabama, and became one of the first women to be hired at the management level. However, nearly two decades after her first day with the company, she received an anonymous note revealing that she was making thousands less per year than the men in her same position. This devastating realization led to Ledbetter filing a sex discrimination case against Goodyear. Although she lost on appeal, she saw her case to the Supreme Court. Once again, though, the court did not rule in her favor. Despite the loss in court, Ledbetter continued to fight, and eventually became the namesake of Barack Obama’s first official piece of legislation as U.S. President. She now continues to travel the country urging women and minorities to claim their civil rights. In 2011, Ledbetter was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
Register by June 15 to secure the Early Bird Rate through the Member Portal. You will not want to miss Lilly Ledbetter!
President’s Pick
By Marian St.Clair, International President
April was the first full month of spring. It was also the month that we celebrated National Gardening Day, Earth Day, and Arbor Day. Many of the April projects submitted for the GFWC Blog honored these occasions, so it seems fitting to commend a club project that improves the health of the environment and makes the world a better place.
This month’s “President’s Pick” goes to The Woman’s Club of Clayton (North Carolina) for planting a pollinator garden at their local library. Spearheaded by the club’s Environment Community Service Program Committee, the purpose of the garden is to provide nectar and/or pollen for a wide range of insects that pollinate plants.
With the decline of honeybees, native bees, and other pollinators that are vital to agriculture, it is more important than ever that clubwomen and others with an interest in the environment form a network of gardens throughout communities to sustain pollinating insects. With aesthetics in mind and careful selection of plants, these gardens can be as beautiful as they are useful.
To create the garden, members of The Woman’s Club of Clayton partnered with town residents, who readied the planting beds and built a stone pathway to entice library patrons to step among the flowers. The clubwomen, outfitted with gardening gloves and tools, planted the garden and will maintain its health and beauty into the future.
A quick peek at the club’s website revealed other outstanding projects, such as support of an all-abilities playground, various children’s enrichment programs, and assistance to local shelters and community agencies. For members who work during the day, the club formed a Night’N’Gals group, which coordinates an annual food drive.
Congratulations to President Betsy Grannis and the members of The Woman’s Club of Clayton on their winning project!
Volunteers in Action
The week’s GFWC Blog features GFWC Illinois Morris Woman’s Club, GFWC Wamego Study Club (Kansas), GFWC Woman’s Club of Lake Wales (Florida), and Glendale Woman’s Club (Arizona). Read about how clubwomen helped pick-up trash along a local waterway, hosted a grab-and-go lunch for police officers, celebrated Arbor Day with a holiday tree planting, and made self-care packages for women veterans.
Do you have a success story to tell? Email PR@GFWC.org.
Starting the Conversation on Youth Mental Health
By Beth Smith, Health and Wellness Community Service Chairman
Psychiatric disorders impact children more than cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. Nearly one in five children, ages 3 to 17, has a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder with more than 33% being anxiety disorders.
Do you know how to talk to your children or grandchildren about how they are feeling about the disruption to their world due to the pandemic? Parents have the biggest influence on securing mental health assistance for their children, but they need to know what to monitor and when to talk to doctors.
The signs to look for can be found on mentalhealth.gov. Some are:
- Feeling very sad for more than two weeks
- Getting into fights or hurting others
- Showing severe out-of-control behavior
- Having intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities
- Having severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
- Showing drastic changes in personality
Contact schools and youth programs about sharing this information with families in your community. Anywhere your club volunteers, such as the local food bank, is a good place to share information (just ask if it’s okay). And don’t forget to raise awareness on social media.
The American Psychological Association (APA) is focusing on youth mental health through their Text, Talk, Act program. Throughout May, teens can text APA to 89800 to engage in a mental health awareness activity.
Teens will learn about self-care, focused on challenges related to COVID-19, and how to reach out to their parents to start a conversation around mental health. The text messages include questions for polling and discussion, videos, and sample social media posts. Visit the APA website for more information.
To share a club project success story, email PR@GFWC.org.
Turning Point Suffragist Memorial Dedication Set For Sunday, May 16
After 13 years of fundraising, the remote dedication of the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial is set for 2:00 p.m. EDT Sunday, May 16. The Memorial will honor the work of millions of suffragists who fought for the right for women to vote and the passage of the 19th Amendment.
The remote dedication will highlight special guests, including leaders with GFWC, the National League of Women Voters, and the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission. Members can watch the livestream of the event on YouTube and Facebook.
GFWC Hosts AHT for Insurance Webinar
AHT Insurance is offering a webinar at 3:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday May 26, with Amy Miller, GFWC’s account manager at AHT Insurance. The webinar will cover topics such as who is AHT Insurance, what options they offer to GFWC clubs, general liability and directors and officers coverage, and a question and answer session.
The cost to attend the webinar is $15, and members can register through the GFWC Member Portal.
Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Join GFWC in celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, an annual celebration that takes place each May in the United States.
Checking out the National Women’s History Museum’s 2021 resource toolkit is one way you can celebrate this May. This toolkit recognizes Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women who have made, and are making, history as trailblazers, leaders, storytellers, and artists both nationally and around the world. The toolkit is also filled with links to biographies, events, and programming to help you celebrate AAPI women past and present this month.
State President’s Project: Carol Jarvais, Maine
“Building a Brighter Tomorrow…Supporting Children Today” is the tagline for GFWC Maine State President Carol Jarvais’ project. Children hold a special place in Carol’s heart, and she wants to do whatever she can to support them. What people do to help children today paves the way for a better future for everyone, as they will be the leaders of tomorrow.
Carol’s project lets clubs choose how to help children in their communities, keeping COVID-19 restrictions in mind. Clubs were encouraged to make and donate masks for students and teachers, donate hand sanitizer, provide food to school food pantries, or help establish food pantries. Clubs could adopt a teacher, a student, or an entire classroom and offer continuing support through donations. Gently used or new clothing could be given to schools with students in need, as well as personal hygiene products. “Thank you” notes and letters of encouragement could be sent to teachers and administrators. This project has no limits, and the support is needed now more than ever.
Carol is also asking clubs to consider donating funds to Pine Tree Camp to help provide a scholarship/campership for a child to attend a week at this amazing facility. Carol has been blessed with a grandson who was born with Down syndrome, and he has attended camp for the past 10 years. Located on a pond in central Maine, Pine Tree Camp caters to people with physical and developmental disabilities, and attendance is covered mainly through donations. Here, they get to discover their abilities together. They swim, go fishing, do crafts, climb into a handicap accessible treehouse, have a talent contest, toast marshmallows—all the activities offered at any summer camp. Carol wishes everyone had the opportunity to witness the effect this camp has on children who attend. She said she can’t think of a better way to support children today.
Club Anniversaries and Gold Pin Recipients
Club Anniversaries
20th
GFWC MA Past State President’s Club (Massachusetts)
50th
GFWC Pioneer Junior Woman’s Club (Massachusetts)
60th
GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club (Florida)
70th
GFWC Taipei International Women’s Club (Taiwan)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Bridgeport (West Virginia)
80th
GFWC Keystone Northfork Woman’s Club (West Virginia)
85th
GFWC Woman’s Club of River Edge, Inc. (New Jersey)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Berkeley Springs (West Virginia)
100th
GFWC Wednesday Review Club (Texas)
110th
GFWC Woman’s Club of Charleston (West Virginia)
125th
GFWC Friday Club-Highstown (New Jersey)
GFWC Woman’s Club of Westfield (New Jersey)
Gold Pin Recipients
Gloria Saldano
GFWC Santa Fe Springs Women’s Club (California)
Ann Lamb
GFWC Outer Banks Woman’s Club (North Carolina)
Virginia Backhus
GFWC Mokena Woman’s Club (Illinois)
Marianna Roenna
GFWC Lisle Woman’s Club (Illinois)
Rebecca Morton
GFWC Glenwood Junior Woman’s Club (Illinois)
Andrea Burla
GFWC Lockport Woman’s Club (Illinois)
Bette McCowan
GFWC Lockport Woman’s Club (Illinois)
Barb Dystrup
GFWC Lockport Woman’s Club (Illinois)
Barb Morrisette
GFWC Lockport Woman’s Club (Illinois)
Elberta Van Ekeren
GFWC Woman’s Club of Aurora (Illinois)
Carol Schwantz
GRWF Lincoln Woman’s Club (Illinois)
Joyce Potts
GFWC St. Francisville Woman’s Club (Illinois)
Marlea Steiner
GFWC Monroe Woman’s Club (Wisconsin)
Virginia Bozarth
GFWC Worthington Woman’s Club (Virginia)
Patricia Reynolds
GFWC Worthington Woman’s Club (Virginia)
Julene McPhaul
GFWC Woman’s Club of Raleigh (North Carolina)
Mary Jane Lane
GFWC Woman’s Club of Raleigh (North Carolina)
Jackie Mach
GFWC Papillion Junior Woman’s Club (Nebraska)
GFWC Marketplace: GFWC Member Pin
The GFWC Member Pin is the accessory no clubwoman should be without! Wear this pin proudly to proclaim your membership no matter where you go. At one-inch in diameter, this small pin is the perfect way to promote the Federation while staying stylish. Order yours today.
There have been reports of mail service delays in many communities throughout the United States. GFWC staff is processing Marketplace orders as quickly as possible, but Headquarters is still operating with limited staff onsite daily. In order to speed up processing of your order, we request that you pay for your order at time of purchase in the Member Portal. For details on mail service in your area, visit the USPS Service Alerts page. |
