Tempe's Mary Ellen Laister Installed as GFWC International President

TEMPE’S MARY ELLEN LAISTER INSTALLED AS GFWC INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

Laister to lead women’s volunteer service organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.

 July 3, 2012 (Washington, D.C.) – The General Federation of Women’s Clubs recently installed Mary Ellen Laister, a successful Tempe insurance professional and community leader, as its 49^th international president. Laister will reside at GFWC Headquarters, a National Historic Landmark, in Washington, D.C., throughout her two-year term.

Laister has successfully blended a 35-year career as an independent insurance agent and community service volunteer to Washington, D.C., where she will lead 100,000 women as they carry out the organization’s mission of community improvement through volunteer service. During the past year, GFWC members volunteered more than seven million hours, completed 116,204 projects, and donated nearly $39 million.

 First elected to the GFWC Executive Committee as treasurer and chairman of the budget and finance committee in 2002, Laister was subsequently elected recording secretary (2004-2006), second vice-president (2006-2008), first vice-president (2008-2010), and president-elect (2010-2012).

Laister is a member of King Glory Lutheran Church, past St. Luke’s Health Initiative Trustee, past president of Profit Executive Club, and past president of The Governors. Born and raised in Beaver, Pennsylvania, Laister is a graduate of Walsh College (Fla.).

About the General Federation of Women’s Clubs

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is a unifying force, bringing together local women’s clubs, with members dedicated to strengthening their communities and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. With 100,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members are community leaders who work locally to create global change by supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, advancing education, promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging civic involvement, and working toward world peace and understanding.

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