Recording History!
Thanks to the many clubs who have taken the time to write up community service projects and share them with us on Facebook this summer. The GFWC-NC Summer of Service project ideas can be found on our GFWC-NC website under the community service tab. Here are a few:
- Encourage healthy physical and emotional lifestyles for children this summer. Swimming, biking, boating and sports programs that promote skills as well as safety help improve children’s self-esteem and protect them from harmful situations.
- Every woman, no matter how young, needs access to necessities to maintain health and self-esteem. Organizations like Days for Girls and I Support the Girls promote sustainable products to help manage hygiene. Women should not have to sacrifice their dignity, so reach out to elevate the women and girls in your community.
- Celebrations of the 100thanniversary of the woman’s right to vote were limited, but there is no reason not to celebrate women and the 101st anniversary on August 26th! Votes for Women selfie stations at local summer events, campaign yard signs, and voter registration drives are ways to commemorate the occasion. Remember to post with #summerofservice.
GFWC Federation Day, April 24th, was a great opportunity for projects as well. We appreciate the following clubs for sharing their creativity, participating in the Federation Day contest, and recording our history! And congratulations to the Wake Forest Woman’s Club (WFWC), this year’s Federation Day contest winner!
The Wake Forest Woman’s Club (WFWC) kicked off Federation Day with a financial donation to the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina and continued with a virtual afternoon Tea Party in vintage dress. The highlight of the tea party was traveling back in time and eavesdropping on two clubwomen, “member-actors” in costume, chatting about the accomplishments of the GFWC through the early 1900s. Their original script, performed live at the Tea Party, gave birth to a WFWC original video – “GFWC Beginnings – Unity in Diversity – Federation Day” now posted on the WFWC’s Facebook page!
The North Wilkesboro Woman’s Club began with the curators at the Wilkes Heritage Museum to exhibit historical items from the North Wilkesboro Woman’s Club and the Wilkesboro Woman’s Club which withdrew from the Federation in June 1993. They held their annual tea with vintage hats, gloves and purses and visited the 19th Amendment display to celebrate 100 years of Women’s Right to Vote. They were surprised by a special decorated cake to celebrate the club’s centennial.
Mary Stewart Woman’s Club invited Juanita Bryant, past GFWC International President, to share her inspirational stories from 7 decades of service in a memorable Federation Day. The Club and Debby Bryant, Juanita’s daughter, organized the gathering. A member interviewed Juanita prompting a fountain of information from her years of service at all levels of Club work. A video will be sent to the WHRC at GFWC headquarters. Juanita advised, “make your decision and stick with it.” Juanita put that into practice to complete the Women’s History and Resource Center as international president.
GFWC of Holden Beach collected much needed items for the Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina. Hundreds of personal care items and a check for $575.00 was delivered on Federation Day. A long-time member sent handmade cards to every club member, and GFWC, GFWC-NC and District 7 officers with the message of “We unite around a renewed commitment to service and civic duty.”
The NC Sorosis President asked members to do a simple act of kindness of their choosing for Federation Day. They gathered and eight blue pinwheels were placed in front of the NC Sorosis Clubhouse sign along with a homemade poster to acknowledge Child Abuse Awareness Month. A member made a $25.00 donation to Stop Soldier Suicide and another baked cookies for the local fire department.
The Woman’s Club of Clayton scheduled a Federation Day program and then created a quiz for members to answer and bring to the April meeting. They had great fun going over the correct answers and the winner received a $25 gift certificate to a local restaurant. On to next year!
The Wilmington Woman’s Club honored the firemen at eight fire stations within the City of Wilmington by preparing a variety of baked goodies, delivering them, and thanking them for their service. They celebrated the firemen as part of Federation Day on April 24th and fulfilled the promise of GFWC.
Thank you to Federation Day Chairman Pauletta Parker and the judges too!
Wendy Carriker, GFWC-NC Women’s History and Resource Center Chairman, reminds us again in her article this month how important it is to share and preserve our history. The Women’s History and Resource Center in Washington DC deserves attention and a visit as well.
Remember every summer has a story, so be sure to share yours!
In Federation Spirit,
Karen Throckmorton, GFWC-NC 1st Vice President
Pam Mediano, GFWC-NC Dean of Junior Community Service Programs