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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Friday, May 2, 2003
Western District President Goldwire visits study club
Joyce Goldwire, of Sanderson, President of the Western District of the
Western Federation of Women's Clubs, was a special guest of The Modern Study
Club recently for their Federation Day activities.
Lena Harpham, Federation Counselor, was in charge of planning the program
and the introduction of Mrs. Goldwire. She selected as the thought-quote
for the meeting "Working together we can meet any goal we set
our long General Federation of Women's Clubs history is proof of that."
D. Judith Lutz, GFWC International President.
As she spoke about Federation, President Goldwire told that the General
Federation of Women's Clubs is the largest and oldest non-denominational,
non-partisan, international service organization of volunteer women in the
world.
Goldwire continued telling that GFWC roots can be traced back to 1868
when Jane Cunningham Croly, a professional journalist from New York City,
wanted to cover a dinner at an all-male press club honoring British novelist
Charles Dickens. Croly was told that women were not welcome. In response,
she formed the Sorosis Club for women that same year. In 1890, Mrs. Croly,
extended an invitation to women's clubs throughout the country to attend
a ratification convention in New York City. Sixty three clubs attended the
convention held April 23-25 and it was there that the General Federation
of Women's Clubs was formed.
She told of the following GFWC involvements: - 1898, work toward maintenance
and improvement of child labor laws; 1899, supported the first juvenile
court law; 1904, credited by the American Library Association for establishing
75 percent of the countries public libraries; 1906, nationwide campaign
to secure a compulsory school attendance law; 1910, GFWC supported legislation
for an eight-hour workday, prison reform, workplace safety and inspection,
and workman's compensation. In 1919, GFWC created the Overseas Service Unit,
under the direction of the YMCA, and sent 100 young women to Europe to assist
wounded soldiers during World War I; 1920, created the Indian Welfare Committee,
and in 1922, acquired it's headquarters building in Washington, D. C., thus
giving the organization a base for it's national volunteer services.
President Goldwire said that in 1944 through the GFWC "Buy a Bomber"
campaign during WWII, state federations sold war bonds worth $154, 459,
132 enough money to purchase 431 planes.
The first emblem design, the flag, and the adoption of a motto in 1957
were talked of , as well as the adoption in 1940 of the red rose as the GFWC
flower. In 1961, the "Women's Crusade for Seat Belts" resulted in the installation
of more than one million seat belts over the course of one year; in 1965,
GFWC was awarded a stamp by the United States Post Office in honor of it's
75 Anniversary; 1997, GFWC renewed it's commitment to libraries and materials
to public libraries across the nation and in 2000 GFWC continued its tradition
of addressing women's health issues through its new "Women's Health Program,"
focusing on issues such as pain management and osteoporosis.
In closing, President Goldwire told of the more than seven million volunteer
hours of Federated women and expressed special appreciation for the invitation
to join The Modern Study Club as their guest for Federation Day activities
and to address them concerning Federation.
Mrs. Harpham presented President Goldwire with an original painting as
her gift of appreciation for visiting the club. Joyce Morton, president,
of The Modern Study Club, painted the painting and donated it as the gift.
President Morton presided during opening ceremonies and the business
meeting. The Club Collect was led by Martha Jay and the pledges to the United
States flag and the Texas flag were led by Iris Reddick, as those in attendance
repeated all in unison.
Paula Fuller, secretary, read the minutes of the previous meeting. Pearl
Gustafson, treasurer, presented a statement of club finances.
Margie Williamson, Scholarship Chairman, reported the double application
of Allan and John Chappell for competition for the Western District Alma
Van Sickle Scholarship 2003, had been mailed to Stacey Webb, Chairman, AVSS,
prior to the deadline.
The Annual Spring Convention of WD of TFWC to be held in Monahans was
discussed and traveling plans were arranged by club members.
Roll call was answered by giving one's thoughts on the goals for The
Modern Study Club.
Joyce Morton and Lena Harpham joined Margie Williamson as hostesses for
the meeting.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Copyright 2003 by Pecos Enterprise
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