Club Founders Jane Westerman and Pat Taylor |
2022-2023 President
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Our Club History
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The Women's Club of Pittsford owes its beginning to a dynamic group of women who belonged to the Pittsford "Welcome Wagon" group who then decided to create a new Club, a Service-oriented Club. Founded in February 1984 by Pittsford residents, Patricia Taylor and Jane Westerman, WCOP became a nonprofit, voluntary organization that was formed in friendship and is dedicated to charitable, civic and educational purposes. Federated in May, 1984 with the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC), we stand as proud members of the largest nondenominational, nonpartisan, international service organization of volunteer women in the world!
Throughout our Club's 38 year history, making a difference in our community has been of the utmost importance. Our actions have been recognized by GFWC New York and GFWC. WCOP is proud of our Coats for Kids, the Pittsford Food Cupboard, Domestic Violence, St. Pauly Textile Shed, the Home and Kitchen Tour and Bunco For Charity projects. In addition, successful Fundraisers such as the Haunted House, Hearts & Flour Cookbook, the Home and Kitchen Tour, Cindy Miller Cabaret Night and Bunco For Charity have enabled WCOP to contribute $370,000.00 to Rochester Area Nonprofit organizations serving those in need. As charity begins at home, our local support of the Pittsford Food Cupboard, the Pittsford Senior Citizens and Coats For Kids resulted in our receiving the "Hands Across Pittsford" Award. In honor of the 100th Anniversary of Women's Right to Vote in New York State and the 200th Anniversary of the Erie Canal, WCOP was proud to participate in a historic celebration, "Votetilla 2017". Projects affecting the health and welfare of our residents were met with our hands on support to agencies such as St. Joseph Neighborhood Center, the American Heart Association, Hillside Children's Center, Gollisano Children's Hospital, Meals on Wheels and Resolve against Domestic Violence. Recognized for our civic responses and "Americanism Through Action", WCOP received the prestigious American Legion "Red, White and Blue" Award for supporting our U.S. Military men, women and their families. Our participation in projects such as "Sew Much Comfort", "Cookies for Troops", "Wreaths Across America" and marching in the Memorial Day Parade reflect our dedication to honor those who serve. Our charity knows no bounds as we have raised money to help provide food, clothing and supplies in areas hit by natural disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina, Harvey and Irma. In the aftermath of the tragedy of 9/11/2001, WCOP raised much needed funds to collaborate with other GFWC N.Y. clubs to purchase an ambulance for NYC. Internationally, WCOP raised funds to buy a well for the "Water For Sudan" project and have adopted a family in Haiti for years in which we supported them with money for food, clothing and education. Pillowcases were made into dresses for girls in Uganda to discourage Human Trafficking. Our daily involvement with the St. Pauly Shed enables collections of gently used clothing to be distributed to people locally, nationally and in third world countries as an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle. WCOP members truly "Live the Volunteer Spirit" and continue to make an impact locally, nationally and internationally. General meetings are held once a month from September to June and includes a social gathering, an educational program and a business meeting. Membership is open to all women who are residents in the Greater Rochester Area. |
The Women's Club of Pittsford is a member of GFWC New York.
Click to go to the state website: gfwcny.org
We also belong to the GFWC Middle Atlantic Region
Past WCOP Presidents
With great pride, we recognize our past Presidents and the important leadership that each brought to WCOP. We appreciate the contributions they have made and continue to make in promoting our mission.
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1984-85
Pat Slimmer 1985-86 Jody Lehr 1986-87 Scootie Seeman 1987-88 Ann Curtin-Knight 1988-89 Barbara Lipari 1989-90 Karen LaVecchia Crotinger 1990-91 Patrice Pallone 1991-92 Anne Stimson 1992-93 Tommi Klinsky 1993 Linda Whiting 1994 Marcia Bell 1994-95 Patricia Taylor 1995-96 Carmen Wallner 1996-97 Alice Swetman 1997-98 Jan Conant 1998-99 Pat Block 1999-00 Betsy Helfrich 2000-01 Bridget Kolano 2001-02 Marguerite Rose & Wanda Ward |
2002-03
Kathy Canzano 2003-04 Beverley Pierson 2004-05 Nancy Schoenberger 2005-06 Kathleen Bankey 2006-08 Linda Litchfield 2008-09 Bridget Kolano & Linda Ward 2009-10 Bonnie Haugh & Paula Reitz 2010-11 Pat Rahn 2011-12 Betsy Helfrich & Jan Pickering 2012-13 Jackie Aab & Pati Robben 2013-14 Beverley Pierson 2014-15 Ann Dickerson 2015-16 Maureen Mulley & Ronna Treier 2016-17 Linda MacKenzie & Carol Michaels 2017-18 Betsy Helfrich 2018-20 Susanne Daly 2020-21 Carol Michaels & Eileen O'Rourke 2021-22 Linda MacKenzie & Linda Kremens 2022-23 Linda Kremens |
Wanda Ward Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2005, the club wished to honor club women who, over their years of membership, continue to make outstanding contributions to our community and club. Named in honor of Charter Member Wanda Ward, this award celebrates Wanda’s exemplary lifetime of service.
The honoree receives a token of the club’s appreciation and lifetime membership to the Women’s Club of Pittsford.
The following women have been bestowed with this award:
2005 Wanda Ward
2008 Kathy Canzano
2010 Marguerite Rose
2014 Betsy Helfrich
2015 Beverley Pierson
2018 Patricia Scally Block
In 2005, the club wished to honor club women who, over their years of membership, continue to make outstanding contributions to our community and club. Named in honor of Charter Member Wanda Ward, this award celebrates Wanda’s exemplary lifetime of service.
The honoree receives a token of the club’s appreciation and lifetime membership to the Women’s Club of Pittsford.
The following women have been bestowed with this award:
2005 Wanda Ward
2008 Kathy Canzano
2010 Marguerite Rose
2014 Betsy Helfrich
2015 Beverley Pierson
2018 Patricia Scally Block
Pittsford Food Cupboard |
WCOP Service Scholarship |
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Each year WCOP gives the Pittsford Food Cupboard a $500 grant.
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Each June our club give two $500 service scholarships to high school seniors from Mendon and Pittsford Sutherland High Schools.
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About the General Federation of Women’s Clubs
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is a unifying force, bringing together local women’s clubs, with members dedicated to strengthening their communities and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. With almost 80,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members are community leaders who work locally to create global change by supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, advancing education, promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging civic involvement, and working toward world peace and understanding.
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is a unifying force, bringing together local women’s clubs, with members dedicated to strengthening their communities and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. With almost 80,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members are community leaders who work locally to create global change by supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, advancing education, promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging civic involvement, and working toward world peace and understanding.
Top 10 Reasons to Join a GFWC Club!
10. Continue a club’s legacy. The work of GFWC clubs requires a continuation of effort by many people. Your support as a member will ensure that the service contributed in your community and throughout the world can continue. Strength in numbers brings great results. “Many hands make the work lighter.”
9. Share Your Talents. Every person offers unique talents to any organization. When we combine our efforts and work toward a common goal, the results are great! Think of the work as a gigantic puzzle. Your unique piece to the puzzle is a vital part of community service.
8. Expand Your Horizons through Networking. Increase your professional and career contacts. Your membership is a valuable method to network and link with people and groups that can benefit your work, social and personal lives.
7. Develop Young Leaders. By engaging youth, GFWC members help to develop strong leaders for the future. Juniorette clubs provide youth volunteer opportunities that allow young adults to become involved in community service and begin learning about the impact they can have around the world.
6. Grow as a Family. GFWC clubs offer opportunities for families to volunteer together. Start spending quality time together as a family while serving the community.
5. Learn, Grow, and Share. Through volunteer work and community service, GFWC club members are learning new things and developing leadership skills every day. Share your knowledge with community members to help them lead healthier lifestyles. Living the Volunteer Spirit.
4. Enjoy a Rewarding Experience. There is no greater feeling than making a positive impact on someone's life.
3. Make New Friends. Joining a local GFWC club is a great way to network with other people in your community and make new friends. Find a club that involves people with the same interests, hobbies and passions. Serving together can help build relationships that last a lifetime.
2. Make a Difference in the World. Joining a local GFWC club is a great way to network with other people in your community and make new friends, but also serve the world through community service.
1. Serve the Community. By partnering with local leaders and organizations, identifying the needs of the community, you can be a part of planning service projects that address those needs.
10. Continue a club’s legacy. The work of GFWC clubs requires a continuation of effort by many people. Your support as a member will ensure that the service contributed in your community and throughout the world can continue. Strength in numbers brings great results. “Many hands make the work lighter.”
9. Share Your Talents. Every person offers unique talents to any organization. When we combine our efforts and work toward a common goal, the results are great! Think of the work as a gigantic puzzle. Your unique piece to the puzzle is a vital part of community service.
8. Expand Your Horizons through Networking. Increase your professional and career contacts. Your membership is a valuable method to network and link with people and groups that can benefit your work, social and personal lives.
7. Develop Young Leaders. By engaging youth, GFWC members help to develop strong leaders for the future. Juniorette clubs provide youth volunteer opportunities that allow young adults to become involved in community service and begin learning about the impact they can have around the world.
6. Grow as a Family. GFWC clubs offer opportunities for families to volunteer together. Start spending quality time together as a family while serving the community.
5. Learn, Grow, and Share. Through volunteer work and community service, GFWC club members are learning new things and developing leadership skills every day. Share your knowledge with community members to help them lead healthier lifestyles. Living the Volunteer Spirit.
4. Enjoy a Rewarding Experience. There is no greater feeling than making a positive impact on someone's life.
3. Make New Friends. Joining a local GFWC club is a great way to network with other people in your community and make new friends. Find a club that involves people with the same interests, hobbies and passions. Serving together can help build relationships that last a lifetime.
2. Make a Difference in the World. Joining a local GFWC club is a great way to network with other people in your community and make new friends, but also serve the world through community service.
1. Serve the Community. By partnering with local leaders and organizations, identifying the needs of the community, you can be a part of planning service projects that address those needs.
Sharing the Federation Spirit Around the Globe
By Elaine Ko, International Liaisons Committee Member
Did you know the first GFWC International Clubs were in Bombay, India, in 1891 and London, England, in 1897? Or that GFWC had a club in Shanghai in 1941 called the American Woman’s Club of Shanghai? How about that in 1929, several GFWC clubwomen traveled to Rio de Janeiro to organize a woman’s club, or that the Jamaica Federation of Women was formed in 1939?
Throughout the years, GFWC has had 260 clubs in 55 countries. We now have 20 clubs, two of which are Juniorette Clubs. The economy, wars, society, community needs, and leadership have caused clubs to ebb and flow. Our clubs today are from Belize, Ukraine, Taiwan, Korea, Uganda, Cyprus, Brazil, Grand Bahamas, Peru, Philippines, Canada, Aruba, Netherlands Antilles, and Curacao.
The GFWC International Liaisons Committee meets remotely with our International Affiliates twice a month and our GFWC officers and membership join us. Our officers and members have also attended the Federation of Asian Women’s Association (FAWA) meetings throughout the years, meeting and traveling to several Asian countries.
The Taipei International Women’s Club recently celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2021 after becoming an affiliate of GFWC in 1951 with Past Honorary President Madame Chiang Soong Mei-long. This club is one example of many that have a deep history of service in philanthropy and diversity in its membership.
As you travel, bring GFWC information with you to share with clubwomen you may meet and invite them to join the GFWC. We are proud that GFWC welcomes our international sisters to our meetings and International Conventions!
By Elaine Ko, International Liaisons Committee Member
Did you know the first GFWC International Clubs were in Bombay, India, in 1891 and London, England, in 1897? Or that GFWC had a club in Shanghai in 1941 called the American Woman’s Club of Shanghai? How about that in 1929, several GFWC clubwomen traveled to Rio de Janeiro to organize a woman’s club, or that the Jamaica Federation of Women was formed in 1939?
Throughout the years, GFWC has had 260 clubs in 55 countries. We now have 20 clubs, two of which are Juniorette Clubs. The economy, wars, society, community needs, and leadership have caused clubs to ebb and flow. Our clubs today are from Belize, Ukraine, Taiwan, Korea, Uganda, Cyprus, Brazil, Grand Bahamas, Peru, Philippines, Canada, Aruba, Netherlands Antilles, and Curacao.
The GFWC International Liaisons Committee meets remotely with our International Affiliates twice a month and our GFWC officers and membership join us. Our officers and members have also attended the Federation of Asian Women’s Association (FAWA) meetings throughout the years, meeting and traveling to several Asian countries.
The Taipei International Women’s Club recently celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2021 after becoming an affiliate of GFWC in 1951 with Past Honorary President Madame Chiang Soong Mei-long. This club is one example of many that have a deep history of service in philanthropy and diversity in its membership.
As you travel, bring GFWC information with you to share with clubwomen you may meet and invite them to join the GFWC. We are proud that GFWC welcomes our international sisters to our meetings and International Conventions!
Click logo above to go to the GFWC website
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Members of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC), the largest nondenominational, nonpartisan, international service organization of volunteer women.
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https://www.womensclubofpittsford.org/ |