GFWC Clubs in the News

GFWC Clubwoman Donna Parker Wins Citizen of the Year Award

by Kenneth Fry, Crawford county Press Argus-Courier (3/17/08)

A city council member and former teacher who does not seek attention or want it for the many ways she gives back to Van Buren was the recipient of the Iverson Riggs Citizen of the Year award given at Saturday night's Van Buren Chamber of Commerce banquet.

In a nutshell, Donna Parker makes Van Buren a better place to live for us all, said Michela Wiley, who presented the 21st annual award.

"I have known Donna for more than 30 years and I can tell you she is a giver," Wiley said. "Her efforts for our community are very selfless and have been going on for many years."

"What I have given is nothing compared to the blessings," an emotional Parker responded.

Parker's past awards include National PTA life achievement award, Sertoma Club's Service to Mankind award, Louis Peer Lifetime Achievement award from the City of Van Buren, Who's Who in American Education, Van Buren School District teacher of the year award, GFWC Women's League of Van Buren woman of the year award, Governor's Volunteer of Excellence award and Community Service Award from the city.

Wiley noted Parker's work on the Van Buren Library Board is one of her greatest enjoyments. Currently board president, she is among those overseeing the construction of a new library at 15th and Main streets.

Board member Jackie Wyatt said Parker is the great advocate and the spirit of the Van Buren Library Board.

"Donna's effort to secure the 'perfect place' for the new library led her to Shirley and Eddie Yeager," Wyatt said. "Their generous contribution of land is making the dream come true, but it was Donna's passion that led to the request."

The $3 million-plus, 19,000-squre-foot library is being construction on land donated by the Yeagers.

"Before any of the present library staff or trustees were serving the community, Donna was there," Wyatt said. "She has led us through difficult times when state aid to libraries was slashed and we had to defend court challenges of library funding. Her leadership made the difference when we worked to pass and extend the library tax initiative."

When the need for Christmas lights in downtown Van Buren was evident, it was Parker who stepped in as the chairman of the fund drive. "The drive was a huge success and we all enjoy those beautiful lights every Christmas season," Wiley said.

"Whether in a lead position, or a support role, she is never in the background when it comes to pitching in and doing the necessary hard work," said Rusty Myers of Western Arkansas Planning and Development District.

Myers recalled when he, Dorvan Wiley and Donna were manning the first recycling trucks in Van Buren on Saturdays.

"It wasn't clean work, but it was a project close to our hearts," Myers said. "Her efforts to establish recycling led to the eventual curbside program we enjoy today."

Parker has served on the city council and Van Buren Advertising and Promotion Commission for 10 years.

One of her fellow councilmen, Alderman Bill Swaim called her "a woman of integrity."

"She is always prepared and is always in attendance at our council meeting," Parker said. "She makes every attempt to make the best decisions for our community."

Parker also works for her church.

Sue Weege of Heritage United Methodist Church said, "She doesn't wait to be told what to do ... she sees a need and does it. She is loved by the congregation because she treats everyone the same with love and respect."

Parker has been very active in the GFWC Women's League, an organization that promotes Van Buren and Crawford County. She has organized many "Make a Difference Day" projects, some through Izard Elementary School, some through Heritage and one with civic groups. She has judged Main Street Halloween costume contests and volunteered at World Series events at the Field of Dreams.

Parker retired from the Van Buren School District at the end of the 2006-07 term.

Her newest additions to a busy schedule include the Master Gardener program with her husband, Johnny, and Keep Van Buren Beautiful.

"Donna is well-known for her sense of humor, positive stance and kindness," Wiley said. "Her dedication to her church, family, friends and her community makes her very deserving of this award."

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GFWC Vermont Helps Women Succeed

By Mel Huff, The Barre/Montpelier Times Argus (3/4/08) 
 
For Vermont women who have lost their means of support through separation, divorce, the death or the long-term unemployment of their spouse, there's a little good news – a scholarship designed especially for them.

Every year the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Vermont gives away one or more scholarships to women who need training or education to re-enter the workplace.

Applications for the Barbara Jean Barker Memorial Scholarships, which range from $500 to $1,500, are now being accepted. Completed applications must be returned by March 15.

Last year's winners came from West Fairlee, Brattleboro and Warren.

"There's no criteria as to age," said Joyce Lindamood, a member of the scholarship committee. "It doesn't matter whether there's a club in their town or not. We try to spread the applications over the whole state."

What the committee looks for is whether the applicant has a well-thought-out plan, Lindamood said. Two of last year's winners were divorced and planned to enter nursing. The third woman's husband had become disabled, and she wanted to learn to do medical transcribing.

The money for the scholarships is raised from the approximately 400 members of the 10 women's clubs in Vermont. "We would gladly take a contribution, be we don't solicit them," Lindamood said.

Barbara Jean Barker, for whom the scholarship is named, was the president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Vermont from 1992 until her death in 1994.

"Barbara was very concerned about the situation of women who had to go back into the workplace," said Lindamood, who was a member of Barker's board. The scholarship fund was created around 1995, she said.

The clubs – in Bellows Falls, Canaan, Castleton, Hartford, Ludlow-Okemo, Orwell, Poultney, St. Johnsbury, South Royalton and South Ryegate – also focus on service to their towns. The Poultney women sponsor a program to collect Christmas presents for children and the elderly, among other projects.

On the state level, domestic violence awareness is a shared concern. Several clubs have participated in a program called Cut it Out, putting cards in beauty shops listing telephone numbers that women can call to get help, and the members collect toiletries and cell phone for shelters.

The General Federation of Women's Clubs is an international organization – there are clubs in Brazil, Hong Kong and Ukraine. The precursor of the federation was organized in the United States in 1889. According to the organization's handbook, the federation played an important role in many national undertakings – creating the National Park Service, securing national support of the United Nations, campaigning for seatbelts in cars and accurately labeling food and medicine.

Julia Ward Howe, the suffrage leader who wrote "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," served as president of the Massachusetts Federation of Women's Clubs. Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams, the founder of Hull House, the Chicago settlement house that served as a model for social reform at the beginning of the last century, belonged to the Chicago Women's Club. Dr. June McCarroll, a California club member, originated the idea of painting white lines down the center of highways to reduce accidents, and in 1924, the California Highway Commission painted 3,500 miles of road as a test, the handbook says.

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