WASHINGTON, DC — Approximately 200 members of the 2024-2026 General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Board of Directors convened in Washington, DC, August 22-25, to focus on the GFWC Signature Programs – Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention, and Advocates for Children.
Board member, Judy Gustafson, from the GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve, was in attendance. The GFWC Board learned from issue experts about critically important federal resources and pending legislation in Congress, engaged in ways to communicate these issues with state federations and local clubs to reach our 62,000 members, and empowered us to act. In addition, they conducted the essential business of the organization and finalized plans for the upcoming regional meetings taking place in September at which Gustafson will be speaking.
“It is an honor to welcome to the GFWC Board of Directors Meeting our distinguished speakers and key GFWC national leadership who volunteer innumerable hours to serve their states and communities,” said Suellen B. Brazil, GFWC International President. “GFWC has over 25 committees implementing the 2024-2026 Administration initiatives. I also want to thank our guest speakers for taking time out of their schedule to inspire us with the Women’s Suffrage National Monument, and inform us about key programs and resources available through the federal Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services, the critical demand for safe and affordable housing for domestic and sexual violence survivors and their families, and on congressional efforts to protect our children from online sexual exploitation and enact anti-trafficking measures.”
Keynote Speaker Shawndell Dawson, Director of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services discussed the importance of government funding through
grants to create safe spaces for survivors of domestic violence to turn to for help. “Our goal and our commitment have always been what has started and has mobilized all of you…,” said Dawson. “…to prevent violence from happening in the first place and be able to ensure that one day no one will continue to experience the epidemic of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.”
Debbie Fox of the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) inspired GFWC leaders to be effective advocates in our local communities. Family violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children and the need for safe and affordable housing is one of the most pressing concerns for survivors.
Marcel Van de Watt and Megan Griffin of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) discussed the sexual exploitation and mass-scale prevention strategy to crack down on pornographers and facilitators in the corporate arena. Griffin discussed NCOSE’s advocacy work for federal and state legislation, the efforts of their law center, and the successful impact of their annual Dirty Dozen List urging corporate responsibility to protect our children from online sexual exploitation. Increased emphasis must focus on anti-bullying and sexual exploitation which more often increases the risk for suicide.
Anne Basham of Ascend Consulting and representing GFWC Affiliate Organization Hope for Justice addressed anti-trafficking issues, explaining that an estimated 32 million children are sexually exploited each year. Basham noted that “effective changes in public policy begin with changes in public opinion,” urging clubwomen to seek passage of increased funding for the Victims of Crime Act programs, the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act, and the Kids Online Safety Act.
The final panel focused on the collaboration and partnership opportunities through state coalitions against domestic and sexual violence and GFWC state federations featuring Lyn Schollett, Executive Director of New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, and Tina Smith, GFWC New England Region President. Smith is the current Board Chairman of the NH Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence.
Schollett walked the GFWC Board through the state coalition’s resources and discussed how it provides technical and financial support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, child abuse, and
human trafficking, and the opportunities for collaboration with GFWC. Smith also shared how her leadership
training through GFWC provided her the skills and confidence to engage in coalition building, influence legislation and public policy, lead volunteer recruitment and training, and fundraise for the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.
The fall 2024-2026 GFWC Board of Directors Meeting reflected GFWC International President Brazil’s Administration theme: Educate, Engage, and Empower, as content programming facilitated presentations by issue experts, next steps in the advocacy process of raising public awareness, and bringing about the change needed to support survivors.
The GFWC Executive Committee and Board prioritize domestic and sexual violence education and prevention and advocate for children and families throughout its organizational structure consisting of a national governing body, GFWC Regions, GFWC States, and local GFWC clubs.
The remainder of the meeting focused on the work each of the GFWC Standing Committees, GFWC Special Programs, GFWC Advancement Areas, and GFWC Community Service Program chairmen.
To learn more about GFWC, visit www.GFWC.org.