GFWC Juniors’ Special Program: Advocates for Children- Cathleen Wink, Chairman
North Central District-Northumberland County-GFWC Woman’s Club of Milton-Dorothy M. Zimmerman, President
Members worked to prepare bags that were delivered to the local head start children the week before Christmas. Members made the bags from recycled jeans and the cord was donated by a local factory. With a local dentist and hotel donating items like toothpaste and shampoo. Scarves were also made by club members and included in the bags. This project was submitted as the Creativity Award entry.
Southwestern District- Butler County-GFWC Intermediate League of Butler-Elaine Lineman, President
This club donated healthy snacks and drink boxes to the Children’s Advocacy Center to be given to comfort children while they prepare to testify in court. The club members also held a Little Ghouls and Growlers Trunk or Treat Night for the children in the Center’s parking lot. The Mayor Proclaimed the week of October 23 to October 29, 2022, as “Advocates for Children Week”.
North Central District- Blair County-GFWC Hollidaysburg Area Women’s Club-Paula Binus, President
This club held A Holiday Gift Drive for Children. The project was organized by using a comprehensive Google spreadsheet that was sent electronically to clubwomen allowing them to select a child. Children were selected by the school district as those in need of gifts for clothing and outerwear and gifts were distributed within the district schools.
Education and Libraries- Sue Hardenbrook, Chairman
Southwestern District-Westmoreland County-GFWC Town and Country Woman’s Club-Dawn Himler, President
This club has a Reading Roundup where one member reads a book and then passes it on to another member to read and to pass on until it comes back to the start. Each month an author with a birthday of the month was chosen and her biography was read and her works were then discussed.
North Central District Clearfield County-GFWC Curwensville Woman’s Club-Carole Palmer, President
This club participated in the Trunk or Treat project hosted by the area school district. The club purchased new books and volunteers gave out Halloween candy, but also literacy “treats” as every child received books, bookmarks, a new pencil, finger puppets and a packet of Halloween reading and writing activities. Working with their community partners, nearly 1,000 children and their families walked away with new books and literacy tools to help support reading in their homes.
Southwestern District- Butler County-GFWC Intermediate League of Butler-Elaine Lineman, President
This club had an Alphabet Soup Reading Contest using the 26 letters of the alphabet as the first letter of books read. The reader can drop the “a” and “the” from a book title. The letters Q, X, and Z can be anywhere in the title. The person who reads the most alphabet books will have a book placed in the person’s honor in the Butler Library.
This project was submitted as the Creativity Award entry.
ESO-Judi Stankowich, Chairman- special awards
Best Overall Report: South Central District-Cumberland County-Upper Allen Women’s Club GFWC- Vicki Caruso, President
Eight members are involved in ESO by working toward new levels, attending the two virtual book reviews presented by the GFWC ESO Facebook Book Club and participating in book clubs with members. Information, including the GFWC Education and Libraries Newsletter and the GFWC Pennsylvania ESO Newsletter, is shared at meetings.
Best promotion by Chairman: Northeastern District- Northampton County-GFWC PA Nazareth Woman’s Club-Nancy Napolitano, President
This club ESO chairman informed members about ESO at every meeting and presented the GFWC Pennsylvania ESO PowerPoint as the April program.
Civic Engagement and Outreach- Judy Schwambach, Chairman
Southwestern District-Westmoreland County GFWC Town and Country Woman’s Club-Dawn Himler, President
Members dealt with crime prevention in a variety of ways. Club members received booklets entitled “Older Adults Resources Guide and about knowing the terms of gift cards to spread information about these issues in their community. Seven of the club’s civic engagement projects also dealt with soldiers and veterans!
Northeastern District- Lackawanna County-Abington Heights Civic League-Bernadette Menendez/Sue O’Day, Co-Presidents
This club honored local police, fire fighters and first responders at community-wide celebration. A total of $9550 was raised to support this effort! Area news stations and several local newspapers provided publicity for the event.
Northeastern District– Luzerne County-GFWC West Side Woman’s Club-Eileen Gallagher, President
This club adopted several families living in a residence for women in crisis along with their children. Gifts were purchased, wrapped, and delivered for the Holidays. Members also volunteered to serve lunch at a local soup Kitchen during this time.
Creative: North Central District- Clearfield County-GFWC Curwensville Woman’s Club-Carole Palmer, President
In honor of Martin Luther King Day, the Curwensville Woman’s Club partnered with a local bank to offer free soup and crackers to anyone in the community with space and all materials donated. Adults and children helped at the event! This club also did several projects for Elder Assistance including singing and decorating Trees at local centers.
Legislation/Public Policy- Shelly Smolnery, Chairman
South Central District-Dauphin County-Federated Women’s Club of Hershey–Maryann Kilpatric, President
This club encouraged members to sign up for the GFWC Legislation Action Center and also encouraged members to vote in all elections. Their big undertaking was revising the club bylaws and creating standing rules. The committee met 16 times over the course of a year to discuss changes. This project was finally completed in the spring with new bylaws and standing rules printed and handed out to all club members after being voted on.
Southwestern District- Westmoreland County-GFWC Town and Country Woman’s Club -Dawn Himler, President
Members promoted specific issues requiring awareness at the local, state, and national levels. The members also continued to use public advocacy to seek solutions to any of these issues. The advocacy efforts were not political but practical and included information about Title IX, The Supreme Court, as well as newsletter information from the League Of Women Voters and local, state and national officials. This project was submitted as the Creativity Award entry.
Southwestern District-Butler County-GFWC Intermediate League of Butler-Elaine Lineman, President
The members of the club were asked to keep informed and to make a difference by enrolling in the GFWC Legislative Action Center. Through programs they were also encouraged to vote and participate in the Legislation Scavenger Hunt.
Health and Wellness – Mary Fenstermacher, Chairman
Southwestern District-Beaver County-GFWC Woman’s Club of Baden-Donna Napoleon President
This club worked hard to educate members about the value of exercise and how to stay healthy. They walked in place, did boxing exercises and started incorporating an exercise program halfway through their monthly meetings. In addition, quizzes on dental health, breast cancer with info on self-exam and tips for healthy eating and lifestyles are given at monthly meetings.
Northeastern District-Luzerne County-GFWC–West Side Woman’s Club-Eileen Gallagher, President
This club selected “Walk a Little or a Lot Every Day” as the program for the club. Handouts were available that suggested simple ways to add walking to everyday activities such as parking farthest away from stores or by counting the number of steps when they go grocery shopping and using phone apps to remind, count steps and watch encouraging videos.
Southwestern District- Westmoreland County-GFWC Town and Country Woman’s Club-Dawn L. Himler, President
Members are encouraged to promote disease awareness and prevention, nutrition, physical and emotional care. During Heart Healthy Month and Mental Health Awareness Week members were provided information packets and A special fundraiser to supply a canine companion service dog to a veteran in Pennsylvania was also supported by this club. This project was submitted as the Creativity Award entry.
Environment – Susan Morrow, Chairman
North Central District- Blair County-GFWC Hollidaysburg Area Women’s Club-Paula Binus, President
This club invited elementary students to participate in spring planting at a community garden.
Students from four area schools planted annuals in ten 4’ x 8’ planting beds. The children learned about planting different kinds of plants, the need for pollinators and the role that gardens play in our food supply.
Southwestern District- Westmoreland County-GFWC Town and Country Woman’s Club -Dawn Himler, President
This club found a new and fun way to refresh the topic of recycling. They developed a name around their vision of innovative ideas for protecting our plant; they are called the PLANETEERS. In addition to standard recycling, they found a resource to take old postage stamps, another to reuse greeting cards and a third to repurpose OTC pill bottles.
North Central District-Clearfield County-GFWC Curwensville Woman’s Club-Carole Palmer, President
This club hosted a Conservation Day in the Park for eighty third grade students. This practical
and educational event provided programming from six presenters, lunch and small gift bags with conservation literature included. Teachers and students found the day to be very worthwhile.
Creative: Southwestern District-Butler County-The GFWC Junior Women’s Club of Butler-Mary Krewduk, President
This club embraced the Community Garden Initiative in an innovative way by combining planting and harvesting a vegetable garden with supporting a local Community Dinner program. They donated all vegetables grown to the dinner program and also volunteered one Thursday a month to help distribute evening meals.
President’s Project- Mary Seyfert, Chairman
Southwestern District-Greene County-GFWC Woman’s Civic Club of Carmichaels Area- Andrea Semenoff, President
This club presented 45 Glam Bags and Mommy & Me Bags to the Women Veterans Program Manager from the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center after she presented an informative program at their November club meeting.
Northeastern District-Luzerne County-GFWC Woman’s Club Mountaintop- Gaylene Hunter, President
This club was highly motivated after being educated about the needs of new mothers in the military. They collected and donated 630 Mommy/Baby items.
Communications and Public Relations- Dena Hughes and Heidi Priest, Co chairman
North Central District- Blair County-GFWC Hollidaysburg Area Women’s Club-Paula Binus, President
This club implemented a new strategy for generating interest and attention of those who may want to join their club by using the phrase “Now Accepting New Members!” on their sign-up sheets, publications and articles, social media and at all public events attended. Hearing and seeing the words seemed to be a motivation to some ladies in the community including several former club members to “Act Now”. Between this, new member socials and other strategies this club welcomed 18 new members. This project was submitted as the Creativity Award entry.
Northeastern District-Northampton County-GFWC Pennsylvania Bangor-Carolyn Smith, President
This club partnered with several local newspapers and established a regular article series on a variety of topics. Articles were published over 8 months. Topics included the club’s 105 year anniversary as a federated club, a member’s 50 year anniversary in GFWC, HOBY winners, new officers installed, projects in the community, bake sales, PA State Executive Board members visitations, fundraising events, and donation awards.
Southwestern District-Allegheny County GFWC Century Club of Wilkins Township-Maureen McKeever, President This Club began using the APP “Savvy Citizen” to publish when their club meetings are being held to keep the public informed of their activities in their local community. This free APP provides the user the ability to receive information about local events in one, easy to read weekly planner. A notification is sent to users each week and all events are categorized by event type and day of the week so the public can quickly obtain information about events that interest them.
Newsletter Contest
Southwestern District-Butler County-GFWC Intermediate League of Butler-Elaine Lineman, President
Website Contest:
North Central District-Northumberland County-GFWC Pennsylvania Warrior Run Woman’s Club- Susan Kling, President
Arts and Culture – Marianne Heck, Chairman
Northeastern District- Luzerne County-GFWC–West Side Woman’s Club – Eileen Gallagher, President
This club worked with a community based mental health facility for children, families, and individuals to paint windows and doors. The club members and community adult and youth artists painted a total of twenty-five holiday designs with images of gnomes, trees, cheerful snowmen, breathtaking snowscapes, ginger breadmen, cardinals, polar bears, candy canes, and Charlie Brown characters creating a beautiful holiday display to the delight of all. This project was submitted as the Creativity Award entry.
Southwestern District, Westmoreland County-GFWC Town and Country Woman’s Club -Dawn Himler, President
This club enjoyed the National Coloring Day in August so much that they continued all year. This helped promote arts and crafts to those who aren’t inclined. Coloring Sheets were distributed to the members that used holiday themes. The members could use a variety of instruments to color and embellish the sheets. Finished works were shared during meetings.
Northeastern District- Northampton County-GFWC Pennsylvania Bangor-Carolyn Smith, President
The Arts and Culture chairman spoke about the Cultural Holidays celebrated around the globe. They began with The Lunar New Year and went on with Ukrainian Eggs, Oceanic Art, supporting Heifer International and Ukrainian’s bombing of wheat fields. India’s Diwali, the Festival of Light, a time to celebrate light over darkness.
Fundraising and Development-Cindy Troutman-Myers and Susan Kling, Co-Chairmen
Award: Most Money Raised
Northeastern District- Lackawanna County-Abington Heights Civic League-Bernadette Menendez/Sue O’Day, Co-Presidents
Over 460 hours and 13 projects this club raised over $37,000 and over $4000 in kind, contributed 459.5 volunteer hours and raised $37,095! In addition to running a Dance Academy, a few of their projects were a pasta dinner, fall mum sale; sponsored a “Ladies Night Out” a fun filled evening dedicated to women, partnered with their local seafood restaurant to sell coupons for three different kinds of seafood soups and a lottery daily number calendar.
Award: Unique fundraiser
North Central District- Northumberland County GFWC Woman’s Club of Milton-Dorothy M. Zimmerman, President
Due to members of the Club preferring to go to lunch but not wanting to pay more than $10 and with very few restaurant options, six clubwomen are willing to make lunch for 15 to 20 attendees. Ten dollars was determined to be a realistic donation. The women came for lunch, program and meeting. The seven luncheon meetings raised $650.
Award: Post-Covid Re-established Fundraiser
Southwestern District- Greene County–GFWC Woman’s Club of Carmichaels Area-Andrea Semenoff, President
This re-established project brought together members, their friends and family members for an evening of food, games and companionship. The room is decorated based on a seasonal theme. Businesses and club members donated gift items and baskets to be raffled that evening. This Calendar party raised $4,058.29.
Creative Award: Creative Fundraiser
South Central District-Cumberland County-GFWC Mechanicsburg Woman’s Club- Pamela Fleck, President
As part of an Earth Day event, this club collected canine pill bottles (either blue or green) and glued a decorative rock to the lid making a hidden key container. They also sold plants from members’ gardens potted in recycled food containers or a neat newspaper wrap tied with twine.
GFWC Special Programs–Signature Project: Domestic Violence- Jean Pieczynski, State Chairman
Southwestern District-Butler County–The GFWC Junior Women’s Club of Butler- Mary Krewduk, President
This club partnered with a Tae Kwon Do School to host a women’s self- defense class as a fundraiser for Butler’s Victim Outreach Intervention Center. This organization provides free services to victims of domestic violence. The class was open to both club members and community members. The proceeds were matched by the club and rounded up to $500.00 which was donated.
Northeastern District- Luzerne County-GFWC West Side Woman’s Club-Eileen Gallagher, President
This club participated in a “Parade of Trees”, sponsored by a local Restaurant. Patrons voted for their favorite tree and each vote costs $1.00. This club selected the Victims Resource Center to receive the donations. The club members met at The Restaurant in November and decorated their tree. The decorations used butterflies to symbolize victims who had been transformed and healed.
Southwestern District- Butler County-GFWC Intermediate League of Butler- Elaine Lineman, President
This club purchased and donated journals for women and children who reside at the local Victims Outreach Center. Studies have shown that journaling can improve sleep, cope with depression, increase healing time, help process trauma, and have mood boosting effects. Seventy-Six journals were collected and donated to the center.
Creative Award:
Southwestern district- Westmoreland County-GFWC Town and Country Woman’s Club-Dawn Himler, President
This club worked on the “I need A Hug” Project. The members purchased charming and colorful teddy bears. A tag was placed on each bear that showed a teddy bear holding a red heart that read: “I NEED A HUG” Compliments of GFWC Town and Country was written on the other side. The bears were delivered to a local children’s center for Christmas.
Membership- Diane Lake Chairman
South Central District-Dauphin County-Federated Women’s Club of Hershey–Maryann Kilpatric, President
This club celebrated and honored the strong women leaders in their club and world by hosting an English High Tea held the weekend of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee. The tea provided an opportunity for the outgoing club leaders and board members to pass on congratulations, information and helpful hints to the newly installed officers and board. Goodie bags and plates were saved for a few older-long time members and delivered so they could partake in the fun.
Southeastern District-Berks County-GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Boyertown-Kristen Duffy, President
Member retention and recruitment is important to this club. A membership raffle was created. Raffle tickets are used as an opportunity for members to win free Club dues for the upcoming year. A raffle ticket is given for member attendance. If a member brings a guest to the Club, the member is awarded two additional raffle tickets. Additional tickets are awarded to current and new members for a guest joining the club. A raffle is held at the May Banquet to select the winner.
Southwestern District- Westmoreland County-GFWC Town and Country Woman’s Club -Dawn Himler, President
All Aboard for Membership Recognition is the theme for this club to recognize membership anniversaries. The club president created a train – where each of the cars on the train represented each of the club members and their years of service ranging from five to sixty. Each member was presented with a specially designed train ticket boarding pass to step on board the “Pennsylvania Federation Limited” for a fun filled trip. Each member was given a scroll and an anniversary pin. This project was submitted as the Creativity Award entry.
Women’s History and Resource Center- Marcia Wilson, Chairman
North Central District- Blair County-GFWC Hollidaysburg Area Women’s Club-Paula Binus, President
This club awarded a grant to fund a “time-capsule workshop” for local school-aged children. Partnering with the Local Historical Society who shares lectures and hands-on projects, this partnership will provide students with knowledge of what we consider everyday tasks but are becoming lost arts in our digital society, such as why history is important, how to write letters, a workbook of self and family history, and writing a letter to their future self.
Northeastern District- Monroe County-GFWC Pocono Mountain Women’s Club -Tracy Mueller, President
This club began a project to digitize and preserve the 50 years of Club yearbooks which document the many events and projects pioneered and supported by members and their countless hours of volunteering in the Pocono communities and beyond. Once digitized, the original yearbooks will be preserved for future generations at the Monroe County Historical Society at Stroud Mansion. A copy of the digitized file will then be submitted to the GFWC Women’s History and Resource Center.
GFWC Creativity Award:
Southwestern District- Westmoreland County-GFWC Town and Country Woman’s Club-Dawn Himler, President
This club celebrated Women’s History by participating in Silent Sentinels, a project of the National Women’s History Alliance to remember the women who protested non-violently outside the gates to the White House in 1919 and 1920 for the right to vote. Members and their families stood as Silent Sentinels on October 8th. Members also completed puzzles on the various topics designed by the Chairman during meetings. Also recognized were International Women’s Day on March 8th and Women’s Equality Day on August 26th.
Leadership- Sue O’Day, Chairman
Southwestern District- Butler County-GFWC Intermediate League of Butler-Elaine Lineman, President
This club honors their past leaders with an annual Silver Tea. Past Presidents receive a special invitation to a tea where they are recognized for their leadership.
Southeastern District-Montgomery County GFWC-PA Women’s Civic Club of Schwenksville-Carol Hunsberger, President
This club fostered new leaders by having those already serving as officers and chairman help others in their positions. They also held a workshop on team and leadership building.
North Central District-Northumberland County-GFWC Woman’s Club of Milton-Dorothy M. Zimmerman, President
This club used a mini workshop of building a puzzle to show how listening is a key part of completing projects correctly and efficiently. Leaders need to make sure all their members are listening to have everyone on the same page. This project was submitted as the Creativity Award entry.
2023 LEADS Candidate – Tracy Mueller
