The GFWC Woman's Club of Westminster, Inc.
Western District, since April 2002
Contact: njswam22@aol.com
2008-2010 Officers
- President: Norma Jean Swam
- Vice President: Carol Kershner
- Treasurer: Etta Ray Griffin
- Rec Sec: Billie White
- Cor Sec: Jeanne Herr
Meetings
Regular meetings are held at 1 PM on the second Tuesday of each month unless otherwise noted.
Evening Division meetings: contact Susan Case at 410-848-5423 for more information.
Upcoming Events
None to be reported at this time. Please check back frequently for updates!
Club News & Press Releases
Memorial Day Parade
May 31, 2010
Lots of red, white, and blue adorned Main Street of Westminster on Monday, May 31st, as our Woman’s Club, Junior Woman’s Club, and the Juniorette Stars joined in the celebration. It was a huge success with banners, wreaths, miniature flags, convertible cars, and members with their families!
It was an honor and a privilege to have several past presidents participate in the parade. They were Babs Condon, Jo Harp, Jackie Hering, Sally Marks, Betty Mathias, Carol Shook, Jayne Stocksdale, and Helen Wolfe. Also, we would like to express our gratitude to the drivers of the sporty cars which included Gary Quinter, Keith Saylor, Jim Stocksdale, and Bob Payne. We want to thank the publicity committee members for all their time and effort. Let’s do it again!
Annual Spring Luncheon
May 11, 2010
Members of the GFWC Woman’s Club of Westminster, met May 11 for their annual spring luncheon at the Carriage House in Emmitsburg, MD.
After a call to order by President Norma Jean Swam, a moment in history by past president, Barbara Peck, was given. She recalled the color pink because of the numerous doll shows they organized to provide restoration funds for the Historical Society of Carroll County. Also, security guidelines in regard to children were highlighted during her presidency.
A fifty-year pin was presented to Barbara Hering and twenty-five-year pins were given to Dolly Snyder and Julia Hitchcock (member emeriti) for their dedication and service.
The current executive committee was recognized by the president with gifts of appreciation for their many efforts in the past two years.
Officers for 2010-2012 were installed by Babs Condon, GFWC Second Vice President.
They are as follows:
- President – Carol Kershner
- Vice President – Sharon Quinter
- Recording Secretary – Debbie Schaeffer
- Corresponding Secretary – Marge Simmons
- Treasurer – Barbara Gunther
In addition, advice, tips, and history of the club were given by many past presidents to the new president.
The guest speaker was Dr. Leona Sevick, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of English at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg. Her presentation included an exposition of short stories by Willa Cather, an American author. Cather wrote about the uneasiness of life as a woman and a professional in the early 1900’s. She published a dozen novels and numerous poems, essays, as well as short stories.
Picture Above: (left to right) Norma Jean Swam, Club President 2008-2010; Babs Condon, GFWC Second Vice-President; Carol Kershner, Club President 2010-2012.
Press Release: 4/13/10
Women’s Club
Helps Haiti and Operation Smile
True to their motto, “Volunteer Locally –
Give Globally” the International Affairs Committee of the GFWC Woman’s Club of Westminster continued to support families and women in depressed nations across the globe. Most recently the group collected and packaged personal hygiene kits for people in Haiti and made comfort dolls for Operation Smile. During the past year the International Affairs Committee volunteered 786 hours and donated over $1300 to organizations worldwide. Monthly the group and other club women volunteer at SERRV in New Windsor. In 2009 the club raised enough money to donate a cow to the Heifer Project. The Committee is co-chaired by Sally Marks and Barbara Reiner. The GFWC Woman’s Club of Maryland is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, an international organization of volunteer women’s clubs dedicated to community service. The Westminster club is one of the largest in the State with over 110 members who volunteer for many organizations throughout Carroll County.
Picture Above: Members pictured making Comfort Dolls for Operation Smile are Marge Simmons, Ginger Falcone, Lura Griswold, Barb Reiner, Jackie Hering, Jo Harp, Sally Marks, Norma Jean Swam – President, GFWC Woman’s Club of Westminster, and
Linda Witter.
April 13, 2010 Meeting: Dr. Charles Ecker
Members of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Woman’s Club of Westminster, met April 13 at the Carroll
Non-Profit Center in Westminster. After an inspirational quote from Danny Kaye by arts department chairwoman Carol Shook, the winner of the club’s short story and poetry contest was announced. Tenth grader, Hannah Thompson from Century High School, won with both her poem, “Summer Freedom” and her story, “Rainy Memories.” In addition, she was a finalist in the Random House Student Writing Contest and competed in the Maryland Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Club program chairwoman Jackie Finch introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Charles Ecker, Superintendent of Carroll County Public Schools. His presentation focused on the current status of our public schools in three areas – the size, comparisons with other school systems, and the challenges of budget restraints as well as workloads.
Following the program, department updates and committee reports were presented including the project, File of Life, by Dolly Snyder, public affairs chairwoman. Medical forms with information that would assist emergency personnel were distributed to members.
Newsletters:
- January 2010 (PDF)
- February 2010 (PDF)
- March 2010 (PDF)
- April 2010 (PDF)
- May 2010 (PDF)
- June 2010 (PDF)