Book your room today for the 2025 GFWC Annual Convention, June 7-9, in Atlanta, to receive GFWC rate!

The OMNI Atlanta at Centennial Park is conveniently connected to the College Football Hall of Fame and one block from the World of Coke and Georgia Aquarium. It is located in the center of it all.

Don’t miss out on the excitement of this year’s Convention!

To view hotel's amenities and photos, visit: www.omnihotels.com/hotels/atlanta-centennial-park/property-details

For hotel reservations, visit: bookings.omnihotels.com/event/atlanta-centennial-park/2025-gfwc-annual-convention

#GFWC #GFWC_HQ #GFWCAdvocacy #LivingTheVolunteerSpirit #iamgfwc #GFWC2025AC … See MoreSee Less

It's WHRC Wednesday! January is National Braille Literacy Month, to honor the January 4th, 1809 birthday of Louis Braille. GFWC member clubs have worked on many projects and programs related to increasing access to literature for blind readers, including both audio and Braille books. For example, in the mid 1930s the Junior Clubs of Mississippi funded the binding of Braille books that were produced by the Mississippi Commission for the Blind.

While I couldn't find any social-media-appropriate images to go with that project (Mississippi club members, let us know if you have sources!), there are other related projects in the WHRC Archives. For example, the GFWC Conservation Department (1968-1970) suggested a "Build a Trail of Braille" program. Here, we expanded our thinking beyond books, outward to the natural environment. "A path through a garden of carefully selected plants, or a nature trail through the woods, with descriptive signs, printed both in Braille and regular script, can become a place of delight for everyone," Mary Margaret Lawrence, GFWC Program Coordinator, declared.

Has your club participated in projects or programming related to expanding access to, or literacy training in, Braille? Let us know in the comments!

📘"Build a Trail of Braille" program brochure, GFWC Conservation Department, 1968-1970 administration. PRO 1968-1970 f51 … See MoreSee Less

Registration Open for THREE Upcoming Webinars… Be sure to register today!

January 27, 2025 @ 7 PM ET — ESO Beyond the Page, Mystery with a Mission — bit.ly/3AkgYoc

February 5, 2025 @ 7 PM ET — Heart Health Awareness Month
bit.ly/48Epc7g

February 11, 2025 @ 7 PM ET — The Role Storytelling Plays in Advancing a Brand and Building Membership — bit.ly/3UI3Srs

To learn more about GFWC events, visit: www.GFWC.org

#GFWC #GFWC_HQ #GFWCAdvocacy #iamgfwc #LivingTheVolunteerSpirit #gfwclearning … See MoreSee Less

It's WHRC Wednesday! Did you know that January is National Blood Donor Month? The American Red Cross Blood Services program began in March 1941, seeking blood donors in the United States to aid England in their fight during World War II. When the US itself joined the war effort, naturally GFWC was one of the organizations urging its members not only to help get the word out about the need for blood donors, but also to donate themselves.

"Clubwoman" magazine during the war years included many references to this effort: In May 1942, the New Jersey Juniors reported their activities as "donating blood, buying bonds and stamps, and holding dances for service men." In May 1943, the War Service chairman noted that "the clubs in one district [sadly unnamed] raised over $2,300 to purchase equipment for blood plasma," and the Illinois First District reported in the same issue that they "have regular blood donors from about 12 clubs." Although blood donation doesn't appear to have been one of our major, nation-wide programs during the war, it was a constant underlying theme – all the more impressive, perhaps, since the notion of regular blood donations was something of a new concept at the time.

Has your club or federation ever hosted a blood drive (during WWII, or in the many decades afterward)? Let us know in the comments!

#NBDM #clubwomeninhistory

📷Photo of GFWC President Sara Whitehurst (1941-1944) along with an excerpt from her "Bulletin for Club Presidents" regarding blood donations "needed for wounded soldiers and sailors." Both from the September 1942 issue of "General Federation Clubwoman," Magazine collection, MAG 1942.09 … See MoreSee Less

It's WHRC Wednesday! Tomorrow, January 9th, is the date of President Jimmy Carter's state funeral here in Washington, DC. Moments such as this one prompt us to look back at our records to find connections, for GFWC has always sought a close relationship with each US Presidential administration. Our International Presidents Jerri Wagner (1976-1978) and Mary Elizabeth Sowards Quint (1978-1980) worked with Carter's White House on various initiatives, like the creation of the National Women's Business Enterprise Policy, by Executive Order, in June 1979.

Those connections can be found as well in our archival materials such as this letter of commendation sent to the General Federation by President Carter in March 1977, acknowledging our many years of work to reduce crime through the HANDS UP program. Of particular note is that this letter is addressed not only to our leadership, but also to all GFWC members; as Carter noted, "the voluntary activities of your nationwide network of clubs" was, and remains, a crucial element in our success.

#ClubwomenInAction #LivingTheVolunteerSpirit … See MoreSee Less