STE. GENEVIEVE – The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) 2022-2024 Board of Directors gathered at the Fairmont Washington, DC – Georgetown in Washington, DC, from August 18-21 to conduct Federation business and plan for the future.
The 2022-2024 GFWC Board of Directors gathered to discuss Federation business in Washington, DC.
Judy Gustafson, GFWC Woman’s Club Member of Ste. Genevieve, attended as a Membership Committee Member of the Board of Directors. Mrs. Gustafson is the immediate past state president of GFWC of Missouri, past president of District 9 and the local Ste. Genevieve Club.
“It has been wonderful to have all of these hardworking and inspiring clubwomen together as we look forward to the next two years of the Federation and beyond,” said GFWC International President Debra Strahanoski. “We will continue to strengthen the many facets of membership, leadership, and communications that are critically necessary to ensure the future and sustainability of this organization–and have fun while doing so.”
In addition to meeting with fellow board members and sharing reports on how clubwomen are working to advance society by improving ideas and actions within their communities, the meeting included two keynote speakers, Stephenie Foster and Rosie Hidalgo.
Foster, a speaker, author, women’s advocate, and founding partner of Smash Strategies, spoke to attendees of the Board of Directors meeting about her book, Take Action: Fighting for Women & Girls. This well-sourced toolkit covers the basics of activism and advocacy and offers readers valuable information about specific issues related to women and gender equality.
Hidalgo, Special Assistant to the United States President and Senior Advisor on Gender-Based Violence, has worked to end gender-based violence for more than 25 years as a national policy advocate and a public servant. She first visited GFWC Headquarters in Washington, DC, as a guest during the 2016-2018 Administration and has continued to be a friend to GFWC.
GFWC’s full Board of Directors meets no less than four times throughout each two-year Administration to transact general business between annual Conventions.
Founded in 1890, GFWC addresses issues affecting the well-being of women, children, and families. With clubs in every state and several countries, today’s nearly 70,000 members work strategically to draw attention to and prevent the persistent problems of domestic and sexual violence and child abuse. Members also undertake a wide range of community impact programs, including support of the arts, advancement of education, preservation of the environment, promotion of health and wellbeing, and engagement with civic affairs.
The GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve will hold its first meeting of the new administration on September 19.