Dear Fellow Club Members,

It has been stated that this first week of 2007 has been “history in the making” in Washington , DC .  Please note that GFWC has been represented in this history. As the GFWC International President, I was situated under the “ Illinois ” marking at the World War II Memorial when the funeral cortege of President Gerald R. Ford arrived in our nation’s capitol on Saturday evening, December 30.  On January 1, I was amongst the thousands that attended “The Lying in State of President Ford” in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol (and signing the guest book for the General Federation of Women’s Clubs); and on January 2, I joined those paying their respects as the funeral cortege passed N and 20th Street…just three blocks from GFWC Headquarters.

Also “in the news” has been the Swearing in Celebration of the United States House of Representatives Speaker-Elect Nancy Pelosi.  GFWC was invited to the Women’s Tea honoring Nancy Pelosi and to the Open House to celebrate the People’s House. Representing GFWC at both of these functions were:  GFWC Executive Director Natasha Kalteis, GFWC Public Policy Director Kate Kikta, and GFWC International President Jacquelyn Pierce. Not only is it our responsibility, it is also our honor and privilege to represent you, the GFWC member, at these various functions, and we do so with a great sense of humility and pride.

Yours, in Federation Service,

Jackie

Program Department Update

Operation Smile has announced a new GFWC contact.  Please welcome Dory Morrison, National Volunteer Manager, who replaces Jan Rosser.  Dory can be reached by phone at 757/321-7660 or by email at dmorrison@operationsmile.org. 

Escape to Italy this August

The evenings are balmy and the sites are spectacular.  If you’re still looking for an August holiday destination, look no further – travel with GFWC to Italy ’s Great Cities: Rome , Pisa , Florence , Verona , and Venice .

The travel dates are August 3-11, 2007 , with a land rate of $1439 per person (based on double occupancy).