News & Notes – November 21, 2019

Remembering Jacquelyn Pierce

On November 17, 2019, GFWC was saddened to learn that Jacquelyn (Jackie) Pierce, International President from 2006–2008, passed away that morning.

Born and raised in Hannibal, Missouri, Jacquelyn earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Illinois State University and her MA in Arts Administration from the University of Illinois. She was a dedicated teacher for more than 20 years and earned a plethora of accolades throughout her life. Her honors included the AAUW Susan B. Anthony Award, Cosmopolitan Women of the Year, YWCA Leader Luncheon Volunteer Award, and Chicago Magazine Woman of the Year Finalist. This past summer, Jackie completed all requirements to become a Professional Registered Parliamentarian (PRP).

The 2006–2008 Administration focused on domestic violence awareness and prevention and oversaw a multitude of accomplishments. Under Jackie’s Administration, the Public Policy/ Legislation Committee (now Legislation/Public Policy Committee) and the Public Relations Committee (now the Communications /Public Relations Committee) were formed. Jackie also oversaw a major renovation of 1734 N Street, beauty still being enjoyed to this day.

Join us in celebrating the legacy of International Past President Pierce by reading our full tribute to her on GFWC’s website.Visit the Laird Family Funeral Services website to view and sign the guest book.

Cares & Concerns

It is with sadness that GFWC announces the passing of Diane Fowler, GFWC Arkansas Past President (2016–2018). Diane was an active member in GFWC since joining her local club in 2006. For more information about services, visit Diane’s obituary.

President Brock Speaks at Suffragists Memorial Groundbreaking

On November 14, International President Mary Ellen Brock spoke at the groundbreaking of the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial in NOVA Park’s Occoquan Regional Park. The memorial, slated to be completed August 2020, will honor the brave women whose courage and commitment led to the passing of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. President Brock was invited to be an honored guest speaker by the Chairman of the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial, Patricia Wirth. In her remarks, President Brock addressed the history of the suffragist movement and how GFWC played a role in securing women’s right to vote. President Brock encouraged the audience to be proactive and never forget what these women have done. She stated: “Let us never forget how they fought, how they suffered, and how they persevered. Let us always remember to honor who they were. Let us always rejoice what they accomplished. Let us always be thankful for the gift that they gave us. Let us never forget and always remember to pay tribute to them and vote.”

President Brock was accompanied by a host of influential guest speakers; including Dr. Thelma Daley 16th President, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Virginia Kase, CEO, League of Women Voters U.S.; Lidia Soto-Harmon; CEO, Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital; and Collen Shogan, Vice Chair, Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission; Assistant Deputy Liberian for Collections and Services, Library of Congress. GFWC Executive Committee joining President Brock at the groundbreaking event were President-elect Marian St.Clair, First Vice President Deb Strahnoski, Second Vice President Suellen Brazil, Secretary Wendy Carriker, Treasurer Jolie Frankfurth, Director of Junior Clubs Trisha Schafer, and Parliamentarian Dean J. Meloro, RP. Also attending were Special Assistant to the President Linda Babeuf, Resolution Committee Member Mary Powell, and GFWC Florida Director of Junior Clubs Shannon Bailey.

The site selected for the Memorial is where suffragists were imprisoned and kept in inhumane conditions after organizing the famous 1917 march on Washington and protest in front of the White House. Once suffragists were arrested, they were taken to the Occoquan work house. This work house will be dedicated as the Suffragist Memorial, and the Plaza Rotunda will feature a statue of GFWC clubwoman Carrie Chapman Catt.

Check out more photos on Facebook, and visit the Memorial’s website for more information.

Volunteers in Action

The GFWC du Midi Woman’s Club (Alabama), GFWC Junior Women’s Club of Walpole (Massachusetts), GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City (Florida), GFWC Valamont Woman’s Club (Tennessee), and GFWC Viera Woman’s Club (Florida) are featured on GFWC’s Blog. Read and comment on their activities about laying wreaths on the tombs of fallen veterans; providing complimentary coffee for veterans; and hosting a BBQ for veterans and their families, a baby shower for female soldiers, and a benefit concert for veterans.

Join Us at Headquarters on December 4

Have you marked December 4 on your calendar to attend the annual Holiday Open House 3:00–6:00 p.m. at GFWC Headquarters? Register now so that you don’t miss out on the ornate holiday décor and dazzling floor-to-ceiling Christmas tree. Enjoy hor d’oeuvres and refreshments while you mingle with other clubwomen.

Bring your most festive spirit to 1734 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Register through the GFWC Member Portal now. If you’re registering as part of a group, contact Jennifer Simpson.

Ensure You Receive the Call to Convention

Producing the Spring 2020 Magazine, the Clubwoman issue containing the 2020 Call to Convention, is already in the works and is scheduled to land in mailboxes mid-March. Login to the GFWC Member Portal to confirm that your mailing address is correct. If you’re not already subscribing to GFWC Clubwoman Magazine, sign up for a one-year subscription online instantly! After logging in, go to the Marketplace tab and then select “Education Add-Ons.” A one-year Clubwoman subscription should then be the only option on the next page.

Having trouble logging in? Try selecting “Forgot your password?” and entering the email address with which you are receiving this News & Notes.

Kick Off  Year-End Giving by December 3

The season of giving starts with Giving Tuesday on December 3, an excellent day to make a gift to GFWC. Support the preservation of GFWC’s Headquarters, programmatic development, and grants to support the valuable work of clubwomen. There are multiple ways you can help ensure the legacy of GFWC!

Million Dollar Club
One of the Seven Grand Initiatives, the Million Dollar Club is an Administration campaign promoting GFWC’s Campaign for the Future. It is time to invest in our future and the future of the communities that need GFWC and the clubwomen who serve them.

1734 Society
By joining the 1734 Society, you help maintain the structural integrity of this historic building which continues to serve as a vital center for women’s issues and outreach all while demonstrating your pride and commitment to GFWC.

Friends of the WHRC
The Women’s History and Resource Center preserves and promotes the work and history of GFWC through its archives, research library, and collections. The WHRC is one of the most comprehensive women’s history centers in the country!

These are just a few ways your donation helps to preserve the essential history and work of GFWC clubwomen. Gear up for Giving Tuesday and donate to GFWC today on the Member Portal !

GFWC’s Oral History Collection

Help the WHRC preserve the voices of our past by supporting a fundraising effort to digitize all 341 oral histories in its collection! Login to the GFWC Member Portal to donate online.

Curator’s Corner

In our final installment of digitizing our Presidential Scrapbook Collection, we’ll explore the memorabilia of the 27th GFWC International Past President (1968–1970) Jessie June Magee. Jessie June was born in Steubenville, Ohio but moved to Wheeling, West Virginia as a small child. She attended West Liberty State College in West Virginia and Kent State University in Ohio, and taught elementary and junior high school.

In 1923, she began her career as a clubwoman with the Woman’s Club of Lakewood of Ohio. Magee went on to serve as president of the Federation of Women’s Clubs of Greater Cleveland and organized and presided over the Radio Council of Cleveland. She was elected GFWC Ohio State President in 1952. Jessie June also served as chairman of GFWC’s Community Affairs Department and held the full range of national offices before being elected as GFWC President in 1968.

Jessie June’s Administration fell during a tumultuous time in American history. During her term, Jessie June Magee’s theme was “Individual Involvement.” The theme encouraged clubwomen to become involved in voting in the presidential election and to actively promote positive content in television shows and movies through her “Crusade for Morality.” Jessie June was also outspoken against the “New Left” of the late 1960s; she contributed to multiple articles and insights about squashing campus rebellions throughout her administration.

Under Magee’s Administration, GFWC printed pocket-sized statements of GFWC policies and programs, a booklet of GFWC’s history, and the first postcard illustrating the GFWC Headquarters building. In 1969, Magee led a NATO Study Mission Tour that attended the Brussels Conference and visited eight NATO countries.

Visit the second page of our digitized scrapbooks for the photographs, invitations, telegraphs, newspaper articles, and correspondence of International Past President Jessie June Magee. Of special note are numerous letters from President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon, tickets to and the program for President Nixon’s inauguration Gala, and the eulogy and program from President Dwight Eisenhower’s funeral.

Happy Thanksgiving

There will be no issue of News & Notes next week in observance of Thanksgiving, and Marketplace orders placed after today will not be shipped until December 3. Enjoy the holiday and stay tuned for the December 5 issue of News & Notes.

Parliamentary Pointers
by GFWC Parliamentarian Deen J. Meloro

There are different ways to amend motions. The main motion used as an example is: “I move to purchase the parking lot on Main Street for club use.”

1. Insert words. Inserting words is putting words in the middle of a sentence. For example, insert “the 700th block of” before “Main Street.”
2. Add words. Adding words means putting words at the end of a sentence. Add “and for rental.”
3. Strike out words. This deletes words from the main motion. Strike the word “parking.”
4. Strike out and insert words. You delete some words and put some other words within the sentence. Strike out “purchase” and insert “rent.”

If all of these amendments had been adopted, the motion would now read: “I move to rent the lot on the 700th block of Main Street for club use and rental.” It doesn’t make a lot of sense when done this way, but since each amendment is voted on separately the amended motion would be read after each amendment and the procedure would make sense.

When it is desirable to amend paragraphs, the same terminology is used. You can insert one or more new paragraphs among other paragraphs. You can add a new paragraph at the end of a series of paragraphs.

Instead of “striking out and inserting” when you are working with paragraphs, you would “substitute” such as “I move to amend by deleting the proposed third paragraph and substituting _______.”

Marketplace: Cyber Monday

Check out the GFWC Marketplace sales on December 2, Cyber Monday. It’s never too early to begin your holiday shopping, especially when there are great deals!