BLANCHARDVILLE — On April 27, the Blanchardville Woman’s Club hosted the day-long Southern Prairies District Spring Convention of the Wisconsin General Federation of Women’s Clubs. The event, taking place after a year-long COVID-19 hiatus of state-wide meetings, was held in Blanchard Hall and was attended by GFWC-WI President Abby Lorenz, state officers, and members from women’s clubs in Monroe, Kenosha, Blanchardville, Beloit, Burlington, East Troy, Edgerton, and Pleasant Prairie. Some attended virtually via Zoom.
The convention, which included a catered lasagna lunch by Blanchardville’s Viking Café, was organized around the theme of “Celebrating Suffragists Moving Forward” in honor of last year’s 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote. Table decorations featured photos of members’ female ancestors who were in the first generation to be able to vote in America.
The keynote by GFWC-WI Abby Lorenz addressed mental health and the need to normalize and support this aspect of wellness. Lorenz’s theme for her term is “Mind, Body, Spirit.” An auction of gift baskets at the event raised $215, which was donated to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)-Wisconsin.
Officers for the GFWC-WI 2020-2022 Southern Prairies District were installed by past president Ellen Weber, of East Troy Woman’s Club. Former Blanchardville Woman’s Club President Julie Saether was installed as President, 1st VP is Deb Strecker of Woman’s Club of Kenosha, 2nd is Gail Gilmore of The Woman’s Club of Kenosha, Recording Secretary is Marlea Steiner of The Monroe Woman’s Club, Director is Maureen Miller of The Woman’s Club of Kenosha, and Director of Junior Clubs is Michelle Munoz of The Kenosha Juniors Woman’s Club.
Each club’s president reported on their efforts to adapt volunteer activities during COVID-19.
Virginia McGowan, current president of Blanchardville Woman’s Club, reported that though the woman’s club only met once — on Zoom — the club was able to carry on their normal volunteer activities because of the committee leadership. The club plants and waters flower boxes and hanging baskets along Main Street, sells evergreen garlands to Main Street businesses at Christmastime, decorates the bridge and flower boxes for the holidays, sponsors a high school sophomore to attend the Wisconsin Leadership Seminar, supports teachers by making cookies and delivering notes for “I Love My Public Schools” week. Fundraisers are held throughout the year to support these activities.
Michelle Isely, current president of the Monroe Woman’s Club, reported that they had several successful fundraisers in spite of COVID-19. The club delivers stockings and care boxes at Christmas, collects personal care items for St. Vincent DePaul Society, gives scholarships to students pursuing a career in child advocacy, plants the flowers around the Historic Square, donated to the Green County Literacy Society, and has made a 3-year pledge to the Monroe Library.
Part of every Wisconsin GFWC district convention is a display of art by seventh and eighth graders entered into the Helen Mears Art Contest. The entries are judged and the first place winners go on to the state contest. Pecatonica School District’s Pippa Harris placed for painting and drawing and Camdyn Kolb placed in 3-D Sculpture. Emmy Lindeman won first place for 3-D Sculpture.
With nearly 80,000 members in affiliate clubs in every state, the District of Columbia, and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members work in their own communities to support the arts, preserve natural resources, advance education, promote healthy lifestyles, encourage civic involvement, and work toward world peace and understanding.
