GFWC Windsor Woman's Club

At the GFWC/CT May Convention, the GFWC Windsor Woman’s Club received several awards, including:

6 first place and 2 second place awards for items submitted in the Arts & Crafts Contest.

6 GFWC/CT awards, 1 each for the following categories: WHRC (Women’s History Recourse Center-1st place, Large Clubs); The Veteran (State Veteran’s Hospital-2nd place, Large Clubs); State Project: Homes for the Brave/ABRI (2nd place, Large Clubs); Home Life Community Service Programs (2nd place, Medium Clubs); Laurel Girls State (2nd place Large Clubs); Arts-Community Service Project (1st place, Large Clubs).

Photo caption: Left to right - Nancy Kalyan, GFWC/CT State President; Lisa Miller, GFWC Windsor Woman’s Club President (holding the Naoma Morgenstein Award (which is a pewter bowl), for leadership in the arts in the community, and is awarded annually) and Babs Condon, GFWC International President-Elect

The GFWC Windsor Woman’s Club would like to thank the following: Dom’s Broad Street Eatery for the hors d'oeuvres, the club’s members for the desserts and helping set-up and take down the tables, etc., Bert’s Spirit Shoppe for providing the wine, Back East Brewery for the beer, Onyx Spirits Co. for the moonshine, everyone who donated an item to the silent auction, or bought an ad, and most especially, all those who came out and participated in this fun fundraiser.

To find out more about the GFWC Windsor Woman’s Club, please go to the club’s Facebook page; if you prefer the human touch, feel free to call 860-683-1001.

GFWC WINDSOR WOMAN’S CLUB CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

On April 14th, the GFWC Windsor Woman’s Club celebrated 50 years of service to the state and to the local Windsor community. The group has been a member of the Connecticut State Federation of Women’s Clubs and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs since June of 1963. The GFWC, started in New York in 1890, is an organization dedicated to community improvement through volunteering. The GFWC/CT is over 100 years old. The Windsor Woman’s Club (its original name), began in 1963 when 15 local women met to discuss what they could do for their community. One of the club’s first acts was to donate a painting of the late President Kennedy to the Kennedy School on Park Avenue. They also began a program that has continued to this day, called “Operation Deep Freeze”, which provides a birthday cake, card and money, to a child at the Alfred J. Solnit Psychiatric Center, formerly known as Connecticut Children’s Place, (a facility for children that have been removed from their home by the state). Another program that has continued since the club’s inception is every year, presenting one or more scholarships to graduating high school seniors living in Windsor.

The club’s anniversary celebration was held at the Town Council Chambers in Windsor. Background music was provided by the incomparable Vadim G. Ananesou.  The “master of ceremonies” was Maureen Fernandes, a member of the GFWC Windsor Woman’s Club (and a past club president). Maureen thanked the GFWC/CT organization’s members for guiding the club on its quest to volunteer in a variety of ways. The guest speaker was Nancy Kalyan, the Connecticut state president of the GFWC/CT organization. President Kalyan was happy to note that many of the club’s 78 members are on the club’s various boards. She also noted how the club reaches out to other local non-profits and business when conducting a fundraiser that requires other organizations special skills/talents. She presented club President, Lisa Miller, with a certificate from GFWC for 50 years of service. She handed the microphone back to Miss Fernandes, who introduced the GFWC/CT board members in attendance, as well as past State Presidents, members from clubs in District 6, (which includes Windsor), and then introduced past WWC presidents. Current club President, Lisa Miller was then introduced. Pres. Miller discussed some of the club’s earliest projects, many of them still being supported by the club’s members today (including collecting food for the local Food Bank, volunteering at: local libraries, the Windsor Art Center, Windsor Historical Society and the American Red Cross). Past state president, Fannie Gabriel made an archival presentation which consisted of an article from the 1776-1976 Connecticut Bicentennial Brochure the state of Connecticut commissioned, highlighting various state communities and the clubs/organizations that make up that particular town. She read a paragraph from the town of Windsor section that mentioned the Windsor Woman’s Club’s numerous projects to better the local community and she was pleased that many of them were still ongoing. President Miller thanked Miss Gabriel, and then Miss Fernandes introduced Representatives Peggy Sayers and David Baram, who in turn presented Pres. Miller with a citation, signed by members of the General Assembly, honor the club’s 50 years of service to the community and state. Miss Fernandes then introduced Councilor Jody Terranova, who spoke in the absence of Mayor Donald Trinks, Miss Terranova thanked the club members for all they do for the community and congratulated them on this milestone. This ended the speech portion of the festivities.

The following are some interesting club tidbits: The current 2 year GFWC/CT state project is Homes for the Brave, a temporary facility in Bridgeport assisting homeless veterans living in Connecticut as they get back on their feet and begin new and productive lives. The GFWC WWC members recently had a dinner fundraiser with Dom’s Broad Street Eatery, and raised more than $300 for Homes for the Brave.

The club has been recognized numerous times by the GFWC/CT and GFWC for its outstanding participation in the area of community service. Last year it received the Sutton Gavel award, which is presented to the club which had the largest net increase in membership for the previous fiscal year.

In February 2003, when presenting the club with a CT Treasures citation, M. Jodi Rell, Lieutenant Governor stated: “In recognition of: your dedication to your community.  For more than Forty years, this organization has donated thousands of volunteer hours to raise money for the benefit of the town and individuals.  From providing scholarships to students to donating food to the Windsor Food Bank and books to the Windsor Library, you have shown your generosity and giving spirit.  The efforts you have made as a group and the work you have done on behalf of community residents have made you role models for your neighbors, friends and families.  You are to be applauded as true "Connecticut Treasures!"”

In 1974 the club was recognized by The Hartford Courant for its service and dedication to the community by the presentation of a silver tray.

In 2013 the club joined the Shad Derby Committee, a group which promotes and coordinates several year–long activities that highlight the Shad’s annual return to the rivers of Connecticut and Windsor-area rivers in particular. The club will be having a Beer & Wine tasting on Saturday, April 27th at St. Casimir’s in Windsor.

The 78 members now belonging to the GFWC Windsor Woman’s Club join the hundreds who have donated tens of thousands of dollars and volunteer hours throughout its 50 years. Members continue to step forward when a need arises with caring and energetic spirits. The members have worked long and hard to improve their local community and their home state. They are grateful for the help and support of the many members of the Windsor business community, as well as those businesses in surrounding towns, and especially those in government and education who have helped them to realize their goals. The club looks forward to many more years of service.

Many thanks go out to all the GFWC Windsor Woman’s Club members who planned and worked for many months to make the 50th Anniversary Celebration a huge success.

A special thank you to those members who set up and took down the various decorations/displays, and those who prepared and served the lovely and tasty refreshments enjoyed by all those in attendance. Also, the GFWC Windsor Woman’s Club extends their thanks to the staff at Windsor Town Hall for allowing the club the use of their facilities.

Maureen Fernandes, member of GFWC Windsor Woman's Club (and a past club president), and master of ceremonies.

left to right: Nancy Kalyan, Connecticut state president of the GFWC/CT and Lisa Miller, GFWC Windsor Woman's Club president.

The GFWC Windsor Woman’s Club and Dom’s Broad Street Eatery would like to thank everyone who attended Dom’s monthly fundraiser, which this month, raised funds for Homes for the Brave (a temporary housing facility for homeless veterans in Bridgeport, CT).  Thanks to your support, the fabulous food and excellent service, more than $300 was raised for this charity.