GFWC Virginia News
Richmond Times-Dispatch Article, "Women's Groups Provide Support, Sense of Community" 04-26-09
Richmond Times-Dispatch Article for Volunteer Week 04-20-09
GFWC Virginia presents the Jennie Award
August 2009
At the August 15 GFWC Virginia Conference in Staunton, Emma Jean Wise, GFWC
Virginia President, presented the State’s Jennie Award to Alice Kyle
District’s Lucy Woodall Harris. Lucy was one of several volunteers
nominated by Districts throughout the State for outstanding performance as a
volunteer within club and community. As Virginia’s Jennie Award winner,
Lucy will compete at the Southeast Region level where two ladies will be
chosen to compete at the international level.
The GFWC Jennie Award is named for Jane Cunningham Croly, founder of the
General Federation of Women’s Clubs. It is the only national honor that
recognizes individual members of GFWC for personal excellence. This award
recognizes club leadership, non-club community service and family
involvement. It is the highest honor bestowed by GFWC.
Lucy began her Federation journey as a member of the Timbrook Junior Woman’s
Club in 1964. She graduated to Timbrook Woman’s Club and has been a member
of The GFWC Virginia Lynchburg Suburban Woman’s Club since 1980. Lucy has
served the District in many officer positions - most notably Third Vice
President and Director of Junior Clubs (1972 – 1974) and District President
(1982 – 1984). She currently serves the District as Parliamentarian,
Chaplain and a member of the Standing Rules and Policies Committee. On the
State level, she served as State Treasurer and Secretary and held numerous
Chairmanships.
Lucy’s community service is vast – both her commitment as a volunteer and in
leadership positions in her community. She shares her Parliamentarian
Procedures expertise with numerous Lynchburg groups and is a dedicated
supporter of the Lynchburg Museum System, the Battered Women’s Shelter, the
Friends of the Lynchburg Public Library and her church. Lucy was recognized
by HOBY and was awarded the Outstanding Service Award from the Lynchburg
Chapter of Distributive Education Program.
Lucy’s service to Patrick Henry Boys & Girls Plantation since 1984 has been
invaluable. She has served on their Advisory Board for 25 years,
underwritten the cost of an in-house library, assisted in the creation of a
Scholarship Program, chaired the Scholarship Committee and donates two
scholarships annually. She was instrumental in developing an Independent
Living program for graduate students and serves on their Board of Trustees.
The GFWC Virginia Lynchburg Suburban Woman’s Club was proud to nominate Lucy
Woodall Harris for Virginia’s coveted Jennie Award. Alice Kyle District is
honored that Lucy was selected to represent Virginia as a model for
volunteers who choose not to follow a path, but to blaze a trail.
Patricia Bickel, Alice Kyle District President 2008–2010