Dedicated to enlisting local women to become more involved in their community, the local General Federation of Women’s Club motto is, ‘A Better Orion.?
The Orion Township Library, 825 Joslyn Road, played host to the GFWC fall kick-off membership luncheon last week.
The GFWC has a history the members of very proud of. It was in February of 1914 when the first women’s club in Lake Orion was founded as the ‘Ladies Literary Club.? In 1918 the club joined GFWC (General Federation of Women’s Clubs) in Michigan and in 1932 joined GFWC International. The club’s international headquarters is located in Washington DC.
Sarah Vaillencourt, 87, the oldest living GFWC member in Lake Orion was there. Now married for 66 years, she said her husband Ray always insisted that she attend the women’s club. ‘The women in our club are always willing to help. We have some good girls,? said Vaillencourt.
Library Director Linda Sickles said the GFWC founded the Lake Orion Public Library in 1926.
‘The women’s club is always there for us,? said Sickles. ‘They help with our blood banks for the Red Cross and with refreshments for many events we have at the library. They are like having a group of godmothers and are very important to the success of the library.?
Another GFWC slogan, ‘A Past to Remember, a Future to Mold? describes how GFWC member, Jenny Darbyshire, feels about the women’s club. ‘I am a young mother. Many of our members have already raised their children. I appreciate getting advice from them.?
Club President Vivian Ring has been a member of the GFWC for 23 years. ‘When I moved to Lake Orion, I saw an ad in the paper asking local women to join. I said to myself, now that’s something that is really worth my time.?
Ring said the fundraising the club does during the year gives twp scholarships to students at Lake Orion High School: one to a senior and a ‘MY Leads? scholarship to a high school sophomore.
‘We have all kinds of events to raise money during the year,? said Ring. ‘We like to be really active. No matter who a woman is and what she likes to do, there is a place for her in this club.?
Renee Horist, the club’s Co-President said getting more women in the community involved this year is very important to her.
‘We used to have as many as 200 members. Our numbers have dwindled and we are looking for all interested women to join our club,? said Horist.
Meetings are at 11:30 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month, September through May at the Orion Township Library, 825 Joslyn Road.
If interested in becoming a member of GFWC Lake Orion, please call Renee Horist, (810) 678-2166.