GFWC Clubs in the News

Chatham Woman’s Club At 93: Not Your Mother’s Woman’s Club

by Debra Lawless; Cape Cod Chronicle

At a recent meeting of the Chatham Woman’s Club there is not a hat to be seen.

Yet many of the archival newspaper clippings of the club show women in hats pouring tea and presiding over tables set with lace cloths, finger sandwiches and petits fours, somehow conveying an idea of, well, leisure and frivolity.

The club women are anything but frivolous. In 2006 these Chatham women devoted 15,533 hours to volunteer work.   ......

In 1915, when 45 women formed the club in Chatham, then a town with a population of 1,667, women would not have the right to vote for another five years. Yet after a century that fomented profound changes in women’s lives and ended with most women in the workforce, the Chatham Woman’s Club is more vigorous than ever with 195 members. It’s the largest club in Massachusetts.  ......

The stated purpose of the women who met at the home of Florence O’Neil in 1915 was “to broaden and strengthen the moral, social and intellectual life of its members and to be through them a power for good in the community.” Mrs. George Gigger, wife of the town doctor, was the club’s first president.

“We’re different today in that we are more philanthropic, perhaps have the means to be more so, but we are similar in wanting to effect positive change in the community,” says First Vice President Alayne Tsigas. “Also we’re similar in forging friendships.”

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Aiken Woman's Club members learn CPR

By Krystin Merriweather; Aiken Standard (Aiken SC)

When the difference is between life and death, members of the Aiken Woman's Club want to be sure they are able to make every second count.

A group of 10 members gathered at the Aiken County American Red Cross and in about four hours the 10 ladies were certified to perform CPR in the case of an emergency.

"When the ladies complete this course, they will be certified in adult CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator)," according to Carolyn Heffner, course instructor and club member.

The Aiken Woman's Club recently received a grant from the national General Federation of Women's Clubs that was given out to all branches across the United States for health projects.

"We chose to use our (grant) to offer the women a CPR course," said Darlene Rittel, club chair.

She said their members are leaders in a lot of things in the community and there is potential to encounter someone in need of life-saving techniques.

"If we spend a few minutes here and could save a life later, it was worth it," Rittel added.

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American Women's Club to host annual Founder's Day luncheon

The Grand Bahama American Women's Club (GBA-WC) will host its Annual Founder's Day luncheon at the Ruby Swiss Restaurant on Monday.

At that meeting, guest speaker Dr. Jean Turnquest is expected to enlighten the members of the Club about domestic violence issues.

The club will also welcome to its luncheon some 33 visiting members of other clubs of the General Federation of Women's Clubs International from the United States.

The Grand Bahama American Women's Club is the only club in The Bahamas affiliated with the General Federation of Women's Clubs. In recognition of February being designated as Heart Awareness Month, members will wear red to alert the community that almost 500,000 women lose their lives to heart disease annually.

The club is also welcoming all women of the community who are dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service to join the club.

The GBAWC, the oldest women's service organization in Grand Bahama, was formed in 1966 as an International club of the General Federated Women's Clubs of the United States.

The GBAWC is non-political and non-sectarian and promotes activities in the educational, literary, artistic, philanthropic and sports fields.

Throughout its years, the club has lived up to its goals of bringing women together and cooperating with other organizations in the community who share their desire to promote youth development.

Since its inception, members have volunteered to provide hearing and vision testing to all third and ninth grade students on Grand Bahama and have recently reintroduced a programme for dental hygiene.

Over 250 scholarships have been given to high school students and instructional materials given to schools and libraries.

The club has continued to give financial assistance to local organizations providing services to youth.

Some fund-raisers hosted by the club include pool parties and "silver teas" in the early days to more recently, golf tournaments.

Members of the club have enjoyed the fellowship of others who find themselves developing a special understanding and appreciation of another culture and being able to call The Bahamas their second home.

Through monthly meetings, the understanding of The Bahamas has been increased and mutual respect has been formed.

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