The GFWC community has lost a legendary leader. GFWC Illinois sends our sincerest heartfelt condolences to Juanita Bryant’s family & friends. ❤️🌹 (fb)

Last day of the GFWC Convention has come and gone, with more exciting events, news, and speakers! Our morning business session began with the 2024-2026 Officer Reports. Wendy Carriker, Jolie Frankfurth, Mary Beth Williams, Dr. Susan Gettys, and Juliet Casper spoke on their duties since taking their positions last year in Chicago, all the states, regions, and organizations they’ve spoken to and visited. Juniorette Mia Barrientos of the Bluebonnet Drama Club of Kingsville (TX) brought the house down with her presentation, showing the bright future of GFWC and causing more than one eye to tear up. We made it through the proposed amendments to the GFWC Resolutions, as well as newly proposed resolutions, working together to amend and finesse the words we want our organization to stand behind. GFWC Arizona President Susan Shipley invited everyone to attend the 2026 Annual Convention in Scottsdale, highlighting the history, beauty, and fun awaiting us all in a year. At the From Vision to Impact: A Tribute to Excellence Luncheon, the Jane Cunningham Croly Journalism Award winner, Colleen Janssen of California, spoke about her passion fighting against child marriage here in the United States. Then on a more fun note, the final awards of convention were given out at the luncheon, and Illinois won Legislation/Public Policy for Category 1! 🎉 In honor of women’s heart health, our final night was themed as “A Red Affair: Pulse of a Woman” and all attendees were encouraged to wear their most elegant red ensembles. But before dinner, we attended the social hour hosted by Illinois’ own Deb’s Diamond Divas. GFWC President Suellen Brazil and Director of Junior Clubs Shannon Bailey gave their State of the Federation and Junior Organization addresses, reporting on everything we have done so far this administration. According to the reports for 2024, we worked on 106,000+ projects for more than 5.3 million volunteer hours, donating upwards $14.3 million and another $10 million of in kind donations. WOW. After a keynote by Dr. Benjamin Citrin about cardiovascular health, our own Karyn Charvat (a very busy lady this weekend) emceed the Red Hot Runway. Members of GFWC who have personally experienced heart health complications strutted their stuff as Karyn shared their journeys. Models included Immediate Past Director of Junior Clubs Katie Moydell, Past International President Marian St. Clair, and GFWC Internationall President Suellen Brazil. We closed convention as we always do, with the Junior Pledge (led by Illinois Junior Director Maria Uribe), Collect for Clubwomen, and Let There Be Peace on Earth. Thank you to everyone who’s followed along the last few days, there will be some more pictures tomorrow, from across all of convention. #GFWC #GFWCIL #LivingTheVolunteerSpirit (fb)