Junior Women’s Club Name Change
The Women’s Club of Barnesville has dropped “junior” from its name but continues to operate as the same club everyone has known and loved, The Junior Women’s Club of Barnesville.
General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) The Junior Women’s Club of Barnesville was established in 1932 by a group of community-minded young women who were dedicated to ensuring the needs of the community were being met to support children in the area, according to OFWC second vice president Peggy Hickenbottom.
In 1945, the club became a federated club and joined the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Hickenbottom added the current members are no longer a younger group and have expanded their focus to serve the entire community, not just children.
“Members do an amazing job with community service projects like environment, arts & cultures, health & wellness, domestic violence, advocacy for children, civic engagement and outreach, women’s history, and education,” Our members voted to change our name to GFWC Women’s Club of Barnesville to support the GFWC reporting requirements since we are a general club; however, the club continues to do business as GFWC The Junior Women’s Club of Barnesville. Same great club just dropped the word junior in our name.”
Hickenbottom said the club is slowly transitioning to change to the new name.
Treasurer and co-chair of the education committee Julie Starr said members take on community service projects and identify needs in the community.
The club’s Facebook page contains more information on the group. There it is still titled “junior” while the club is in transition.
There are various committees, including arts and culture, health and wellness, advocates for children, environment, education and libraries, civic engagement and outreach and domestic violence and awareness. Approximately 25 members are present within the group.
Each committee works on projects. Last year, the education committee contacted an author who published a series of books about a dog with one eye. The committee thought the message in the series would bring a positive message for students. The committee partnered with the Barnesville Elementary School and Barnesville Girls Softball League in sponsoring the author/illustrator.
The civic outreach committee has taken on many projects including partnering with Mayor Jake Hershberger and staging informational gatherings.
The Women’s Club’s major fundraiser over the past few years is a purse bash each spring. Profits from the fundraiser are donated to support various organizations and causes in the community.
Helen Detling, longtime member of the club, died earlier this year. Members recently honored her for her longtime care of the flowers at the east side entrance sign by dedicating it as a memorial. Helen’s three children, Lou Ann, Marla and William were present for the ceremony.
The OFWC Women’s Club of Barnesville meets monthly from September to May. While there are no meetings in the summer, members remain active working on various projects.
Starr said the club is really grateful for all of the opportunities it has to better the Barnesville community.
“This is an open club, so if anyone would be interested, we’d love to have them,” Starr said.
The OFWC Women’s Club of Barnesville’s mission demonstrates club members work to make a difference through various activities and projects.
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