Convention a memorable gathering of global unity
The GFWC (General Federation of Women’s Clubs) annual convention recently took place in the bustling and vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois. This year’s convention was a remarkable event, drawing over 900 members from 49 states, as well as international members from Belize, Aruba, Brazil, the Philippines, and Sweden. The Windy City provided a dynamic backdrop for this gathering of dedicated and passionate individuals.
As a proud attendee, I was thrilled to be part of this extraordinary event. The convention was a time of celebration and reflection, as we bid farewell to our 2022-24 International President Deb Strahanoski, and acknowledged the significant achievements accomplished in 2023. The GFWC Wewahitchka Woman’s Club, to which I belong, is proud of its contributions to the following impressive statistics reported:
- Projects Completed: 95,936
- Volunteer Hours: 6,154,357
- Dollars donated: $18,237,946
- In-Kind Donations: $10,529,275
One of the highlights of the convention was the installation of the GFWC’s 55th international president. For the first time in history, the president hails from Alabama. Suellen Brazil was ceremoniously installed on Monday night, under the inspiring banner of “Educated, Engage, and Empower.” Her leadership promises to usher in a new era of growth and impact for the organization.
A memorable moment shared by all was when Deb Strahanoski, in one of her final acts as president, and Suellen Brazil, in one of her first, both signed an agreement making the Alzheimer’s Association an official affiliate of GFWC. This collaboration opens new avenues for advocacy and awareness, and we are eager to support this worthy cause.
The convention also offered a variety of workshops focused on leadership, membership, communications, and more. These sessions provided valuable insights and strategies, empowering attendees to further their personal and club initiatives.
As the GFWC Wewahitchka Woman’s club looks forward to the coming year, we are excited to announce our first meeting of the fiscal year on Tuesday, August 13. Our meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from August to May at the Senior Citizens Building at 314 North Second Street, Wewahitchka. Social time begins at 5:30 p.m. CT, and the business meeting starts at 6 p.m. We invite you to join us and become part of the oldest, and one of the world’s largest, women’s volunteer organizations, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
For more information see our website at gfwcwewahitchkawomansclub.com or our Facebook page. Email us at gfwcwewawomansclub@gmail.com
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.