By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – In recognition of the 125th anniversary of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), Mayor Arthur Vigeant presented a proclamation to members of the Marlborough Junior Woman’s Club April 24 at a special ceremony at City Hall. The local club has been a member of the GFWC for 51 years, working locally to create global change by supporting the arts, advancing education and other projects.
The GFWC started in New York in 1868 when journalist and founder Jane Cunningham Croly was denied entry because of her gender to a press club dinner honoring author Charles Dickens which led her to form a woman’s club, Sorosis. Two years later the GFWC was established with 63 clubs dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service. Diane McCurley, a 30-year member of the Marlborough club, is serving as junior director of the GFWC of Mass. Junior Membership. She has chosen “Embrace Diversity” as the theme for her administration.
Conservation, education, home life, international affairs and public affairs are the established guidelines through which the juniors developed their projects. Officers of the local group are Elizabeth Young, president; Tammy Short, vice president; Brenda Geary, recording secretary; Linda Woodard, treasurer; and Katherine Hennessy, corresponding secretary.