Annual Report
GFWC SOUTH CAROLINA ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2006
Report prepared by: Kathy Monahon, GFWC-SC President
2646 Spring Valley Drive, Aiken, SC 29803; Phone: 803-648-9925; e-mail: kmonahon1@mindspring.com
Number of Clubs as of 12/31/06: 62 Number of Programs/Projects: 1999
Number of Clubs Reporting: 42 Number of Volunteer Hours: 81,657
Number of Members as of 5/1/06:1520 Number of Dollars Donated: $930,369
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The theme for the GFWC-SC 2006-2008 Administration is Building Better Communities.
ARTS: (Arts in the Community): 156 PROJECTS 6,909 HOURS $34,508 DOLLARS
Aiken Woman’s Club (Rachel Pirkle, 803-648-6748) sponsored the 19th Annual Midlands Very Special Arts Festival, which provides
a creative outlet for athletes competing in the Special Olympics and piloted an monthly arts program at an area nursing home. The
Aiken Jr. Woman’s Club (Paige Tiffany, 803-642-6993) supported arts programs for mentally and physically handicapped children
and supported Regional Chamber and Pizzicatto Orchestras for the gifted students. They also donated to support the Public Education
Partners’ drama programs in rural schools and among minorities.
CONSERVATION: BEAUTIFICATION: 76 PROJECTS 991 HOURS $3,494 DOLLARS;
RESOURCE CONSERVATION: 99 PROJECTS 2366 HOURS $8,614 DOLLARS
St. Andrews Woman’s Club (Susan Dox, 803-749-1769) helped a high school with their Freedom Garden that honors students who
passed away before graduation. The club also educated members and children on conservation, adopted a highway, contributed
monies to Pennies for Pines, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden and held a shower for Carolina Wildlife Cares. Woman’s Club of
Columbia (Virginia Beale, 803-781-0456) sent 150 tree seedlings to Louisiana and Mississippi to help replanting of trees after
Hurricane Katrina. Walhalla Woman’s Club (Joy Waller, 864-638-2042) gave a college scholarship to a young lady majoring in
Environmental Sciences. The Woman’s Club of Rock Hill (Connie Zdenek, 803-366-9763) recycled old T-shirts to make diapers to
send to Honduras. Three clubs recycled cans through the local fire station to help burn victims. Walhalla Junior Woman’s Club (Julie Mahon, 864-944-9912) became politically involved with their city by lobbying the mayor and city officials to improve the ease
of recycling within the city limits.
EDUCATION: LIFELONG LEARNING: 152 PROJECTS 5504 HOURS $74,468 DOLLARS;
LITERACY: 43 PROJECTS 1119 HOURS $19,976 DOLLARS
Aiken Jr. Woman’s Club (Paige Tiffany, 803-642-6993) established its new book club using the ESO Reading list from GFWC and
planned and organized a six-week Leadership Workshop for children in cooperation with Junior Achievement. Sand River Woman’s
Club (Pat Lumens, 803-648-1800) donated a writer’s workshop /lecture for women at the University of SC Aiken. Junior Woman’s
Club of Lexington (Jennifer Nicholson, 803-957-2237) focused on it’s school district’s Parenting Center, targeting non-English
speaking families and pregnant teens. The club held meetings there, donated supplies, money, books and other items. They also
collected guest passes to Riverbanks Zoo, it was the first opportunity many of these families had ever had to visit. The club funded a
graduation party at the SC State Museum for girls and families who completed studies. Aiken Woman’s Club (Rachel Pirkle, 803-
648-6748) donated to all 17 local school libraries during American Education Week. The Woman’s Club of Rock Hill (Connie
Zdenek, 803-366-9763) invited Dot Barbaree, who spoke on “The Fun of Going Back to School in Old Age”.
HOME LIFE: HELPING HANDS: 200 PROJECTS 4258 HOURS $175,666; DOLLARS & SENSE: 17
PROJECTS 26 HOURS $22; WOMEN’S HEALTH: 147 PROJECTS 10,351 HOURS $68,624
Aiken Junior Woman’s Club (Paige Tiffany, 803-642-6993) participated in an information session given by their town public safety
department regarding identity theft prevention and credit card fraud. When over half of the club members became victims of identity
theft and credit card fraud in December, club members contact the local newspaper and published an article informing readers of the
rampant fraud hitting the community. Members of the Charleston Junior Woman’s Club (Susan Fletcher, 843-762-3361) attended a
performance of “Have Nots”, a comedy group who presented “Finances for Women” a night of laughter and discussion regarding
women’s finances. Woman’s Society of Batesburg-Leesville (Lois Black, 803-532-5469) used their $100 Women’s Health Grant to
host a Breast Care Forum. Women's Health Care specialists discussed issues concerning proper health care. Guests completed a short
at risk survey, to see how much higher one persons risk may exceed another. Breast cancer survivors were invited to speak. Attendees
also were able to use life like breast with various cyst and tumors for hands on exams, which also taught women how to perform a
proper exam and what a tumor verses a cyst actually feels like. It was a well-attended seminar and extremely informative. Exam kits
were given to all that attended. Junior Woman’s Club of Rock Hill (Libby Love, 803-366-0968) developed a fun and creative
method to raise awareness and money for their relay for life event. Members of the club painted a toilet pink, put the club’s name and
Relay information on it, and dropped it in someone’s yard. The ‘recipient’ had to make a donation and give the name of the next
recipient in order to have the commode removed. This activity was met with much good humor in the community. St. Andrews
Woman’s Club (Susan Dox, 803-749-1769) focused on Dream Riders, a horse riding program for disabled children, Family
Connection, a support and training group for families with disabled children and Canoeing for Kids, an outdoor program for children
with disabilities.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS: UNITED NATIONS: 13 PROJECTS 92 HOURS $590 DOLLARS;
REACHING OUT INTERNATIONALLY: 98 PROJECTS 2735 HOURS $35,178 DOLLARS
Clubs participated in UNICEF Trick or Treat projects, purchased UNICEF greeting cards, supported UNIFEM and donated monies.
Charleston Federation of Women’s Clubs (Jo Ann Bolchoz, 843-556-1606) supported Water Missions International that provides
water purification systems to people in locations that need safe, clean water. Aiken Woman’s Club (Rachel Pirkle, 803-648-6748)
held international dinners and raised one quarter of the state’s project to fund an Ark for Heifer International. Winnsboro Woman’s
Club (Lisa Cathcart, 803-635-9381) provided sewing notions, patterns and fabrics for a cottage sewing industry for women in Haiti.
Woman’s Club of Columbia (Virginia Beale, 803-781-0456) gave a $4000 grant to Operation Smile.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS: CITIZENSHIP: 145 PROJECTS 1742 HOURS $36,782 DOLLARS;
COMMUNITY SAFETY: 100 PROJECTS 1742 HOURS $36,782 DOLLARS
St. Andrews Woman’s Club (Susan Dox, 803-749-1769) bought four bullet proof vests ($2000) for law enforcement officers and
participated in a local high school’s ‘After Prom’ event designed to give prom goers a safe place to gather after the prom. Lexington
Woman’s Club (Joy Lind, 803-359-5163) gave each member a fresh smoke detector battery at the October meeting. North Myrtle
Beach Woman’s Club (Leslie Kuznick, 843-390-0541) fed 400 police officers during the Memorial Day Bikers Weekend and sent
thirty boxes of goodies to two squads of deployed soldiers. Woman’s Club of Rock Hill (Connie Zdenek, 803-366-9763) provided
gifts, gift certificate and personal items to needy veterans. Woman’s Club of Columbia (Virginia Beale, 803-781-0456) repaired,
relocated and re-landscaped an old WWII monument. The re-dedication included the Governor and many area veterans. Aiken
Woman’s Club (Rachel Pirkle, 803-648-6748) continues to annual honor over 300 citizens of high character through their Character
First Initiative which utilizes the expertise of the Joint Women’s Clubs of Aiken.
GFWC PRESIDENT’S SPECIAL PROJECT: 62 PROJECTS 1,353 HOURS $31,654 DOLLARS
Seneca Junior Woman’s Club (Nina Chitty, 864-653-7608) chose a day in October to wear purple clothes and an ‘Ask Me Why I’m
Wearing Purple’ button. Clubs invited speakers, raised money for shelters, donated books and supplies to shelters, purchased and
used Domestic Violence US Postal stamps, and donated cell phones. Walhalla Woman’s Cub (Ann Miller (864-885-0460) members
attended a candlelight vigil for victims of domestic violence.
GFWC JUNIOR SPECIAL PROJECT: 52 PROJECTS 2292 HOURS $53,790 DOLLARS
Junior Woman’s Club of Columbia (Carolyn Talbert, 803790-4265) provides fundraising for the Palmetto Place Children’s
Emergency Shelter that serves close to 500 children a year. Aiken Junior Woman’s Club (Paige Tiffany, 803-64) addressed the issue
of internet safety by working with public and private schools in their county, printed and distributed IkeepSafe.com internet brochures
to 10,000 students in grades 1st through 5th. Seneca Junior Woman’s Club (Trena Alexander, 864-882-9251) completed fifteen
projects for child advocacy ranging from their annual Sweetheart Ball that benefited a shelter for children to promoting April as
Prevent Child Abuse Month and handing out blue ribbons to members of the community.
EMPOWERING WOMEN: 15 PROJECTS 249 HOURS $8,698 DOLLARS
Woman’s Club of Columbia (Virginia Beale, 803-781-0456) donated money to the Killingsworth Home to help women in crisis
become self-sufficient. Easley Junior Woman’s Club (Kim Welborn, 864-859-2917) held an Empowering Women workshop for
incoming officers and chairmen.
FUNDRAISING: 105 PROJECTS 14,419 HOURS $290,087 DOLLARS
Woman’s Club of Rock Hill (Connie Zdenek, 803-366-9763) solicited grants to raise funds for clubhouse restoration. Roper
Mountain Woman’s Club (Marian St. Clair, 864-297-8632) held a ‘Home and Garden Renaissance with day and evening sessions. Foothills Woman’s Club (Kammie Lydick, 864-) raises funds at every club meeting through a ‘Love Basket’. A basket is raffle off
and the winner brings a new basket to the next meeting. Woman’s Club of Cayce (Janet Prince, 803-796-8777) held a Holiday
Bazaar with 39 vendors and a children’s author book signing. Woman’s Club of Fort Mill (Crystal Williamson, (803-547-7344) St.
Andrews Woman’s Club (Susan Dox, 803-749-1769) held their 25th annual Bridal Showcase with 109 merchants and raised over
$41, 000.
MEMBERSHIP: 175 PROJECTS 881 HOURS $22,431 DOLLARS
GFWC-SC clubs participated in the “Act in Oct – Add Six to the Mix in Oct 06” adding 77 new members to their rosters. State
membership workshops were held at all state and district meetings to encourage retention and recruitment. Aiken Junior Woman’s
Club (Paige Tiffany, 803-642-6993) held an annual club retreat to plan and prepare for the new club year. Woman’s Club of Rock
Hill (Connie Zdenek, 803-366-9763) held member appreciation socials on Lake Wylie. Seneca Junior Woman’s Club (864-Trena
Alexander, 864-882-9251) gave members annual appreciation awards and used monthly appreciation tokens. Charleston Junior
Woman’s Club (Susan Fletcher, 843-762-3361) presented a ‘Palmetto Pin’ to the outstanding member of the month. The pin was then
passed to the next month’s recipient.
LEADERSHIP: 239 PROJECTS 12,260 HOURS $38,329 DOLLARS
GFWC-SC supports the GFWC LEADS Program and provides additional funding for our LEADS Candidate. Recognizing the
importance of leadership, leadership has been emphasized during this administration. Leadership workshops have been held at each of
our State Board meetings. Clubs have been encouraged to use the information gleaned from these workshops to conduct leadership
workshops in their own clubs. Saxe Gotha Woman’s Club (Terry Hutto, 803-359-1615) mentors members of a local Junior Club.
Aiken Junior Woman’s Club (Paige Tiffany, 803-642-6993) donated to Future Begins Now, an organization founded by Emanuel
Lewis, whose mission is to enable youth to become successful entrepreneurs, educators, ambassadors and overall productive members
in communities of the world.
PUBLIC POLICY/ADVOCACY: 23 PROJECTS 278 HOURS $89 DOLLARS
Walhalla Junior Woman’s Club (Julie Mahon, 864-944-9912) wrote letters in support of legislation that allowed EMTs to
administer epinephrine to patients suffering from anaphylactic reactions due to allergies. Spartanburg Woman’s Club (Nota
Ramantanin, 864-582-0788) has an active lobbyist who brings GFWC resolutions to the General Assembly of SC. Jubilee Club (Jolene Bryant, 864-579-2039) made 4 trips to the General Assembly of SC to lobby for education issues.
PUBLIC RELATIONS: 67 PROJECTS 793 HOURS $1,731 DOLLARS
Junior Woman’s Cub of Columbia (Carolyn Talbert, 803-790-4265) used the internet website with links to GFWC and GFWC-SC.,
a club information pamphlet, and a monthly newsletter, The Banner, flyers, posters, bulk mailing of save-the-date cards and local
radio advertising. Foothills Woman’s Club (Kammie Lydick, 864-933-1710) used flyer about GFWC at every sponsored event,
meeting dates and information in the local newspaper and on the Newcomers Club of Clemson website.
WOMEN’S HISTORY & RESOURCE CENTER: 15 PROJECTS 373 HOURS $820 DOLLARS
Club histories and club houses were maintained by GFWC-SC clubs. Clubs held programs on Women’s History and most clubs
compile a scrapbook to maintain a record of their club year.
GFWC-SC STATE PRESIDENT’S SPECIAL PROJECT
Habitat for Humanity, the GFWC-SC President’s Special Project for 2006-2008, addresses the issues of low income housing in our
State. The goals of the project are to increase awareness of the need to eliminate substandard housing by building simple, decent
houses and build pride and self-respect within the partner homeowners while enabling our members to use their knowledge and skills
to make a difference in the life of a low income family. The GFWC-SC goal for the 2006-2008 Administration is to raise $100,000 or
the equivalent of building two Habitat Houses.
GFWC-SC clubs have embraced the GFWC-SC President Special Project, Habitat for Humanity. Twenty-two clubs
submitted reports in the Habitat for Humanity program reporting 48 projects, 1446 hours, and $17,004.86 in contributions during the
2006 reporting period. North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club (Leslie Kuznick 843-390-0541) participated in a ‘house in a box’ which
was build, taken apart, boxed up and sent to Slidell, LA where it was reassembled. Aiken Junior Woman’s Club (Paige Tiffany, 642-
6993) helped member’s children create banks from milk cartons and collect change during the summer to donate to Habitat. Sand
River Woman’s Club (Pat Lumens, 803-648-1800) coordinated the selling of various items for their parents Christmas presents to
Habitat Children. The items were stocked in the Habitat ReSale Store with club members helping children select gifts, wrapping gifts
and serving refreshments. Clubs will be recognized for their efforts at the Saturday evening banquet at our upcoming State
Convention. Saturday has been declared GFWC-SC Service Day at Convention and club members are asked to bring nails for a local
habitat affiliate. It takes over 42,000 nails for each habitat house. A representative from Habitat Women Build will be a guest at the
banquet to receive the nails.
Please describe any other significant accomplishments or improvements in your state. (This could include the institution of a
state newsletter, a great media campaign; changes in meeting format or anything else you deem important)
1. (1) Website Upgrade: Our GFWC-SC.org website was updated and improved allowing club members to have access to
forms and our state magazine in .pdf form. (2) Membership Task Force was revitalized and is working on recruitment and retention
of clubs and members. (3) GFWC-SC joined the governor’s Women’s Alliance, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of
women in South Carolina. (4) The use of only the GFWC logo and discontinuing of the SC Federation logo. (5) Bi-weekly emails to
all club contacts, Board of Directors and officers with updates from GFWC and GFWC-SC.
2. Changes in 2007 State Convention: (1) Convention will begin on Friday and end on Sunday morning shortening the hotel
stay by one night. (2) Convention GFWC-SC Day of Service on Saturday; (3) the third President’s Reception for First Time Attendees
and Club Presidents on Saturday; (3) Convention schedule will for the first time include breakfast meetings.
Submitted March 31, 2007