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2023 General Federation of Women's Clubs Illinois Awards

GFWC has five Community Service Programs to build upon the difference that the Federation has collectively made throughout the United States—and across the globe. The Community Service Programs and Special Programs helps woman's clubs light a path for the future to better address the current and upcoming needs of their communities.

Arts and Culture Community Service Program
Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program
Education and Libraries Community Service Program
Environment Community Service Program
Health and Wellness Community Service Program

The GFWC Illinois Annual Convention was held on April 19, 2024. The Lockport Woman's Club was recognized at the convention with the following awards.

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EDUCATION and LIBRARIES COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM CATEGORY
GFWC members promote education in both children and adults. We aim to help others, while we also continue to learn. Projects in the Education Community Service Program are designed to foster schools, as well as other educational institutions and opportunities, and to promote literacy, libraries, and the love of a good book.

Lockport Woman's Club triumphed in the Education and Libraries Category for its division (50+ members) for Outstanding Achievement in organization's efforts in education, which includes its Vocational Sewing Initiative, Financial Literacy Initiative, Book Club, and many generous scholarships.

Also in the Education and Libraries Community Service Program Category, the Lockport Woman's Club was honored with the 2023 Creativity Award for its Vocational Sewing Initiative. 

Here is an excerpt from the award submission, which will advance to the GFWC National Convention in July 2024:
Eight members established a sewing program to benefit special needs young adults participating in a life skills and vocational training program. The program, Career Community Connections (CCC), serves individuals ages 18-22 and is sponsored by the local high school. In May 2023, a member presented a concept plan to the program’s director and faculty. The proposed initiative was enthusiastically accepted since it filled a training area the CCC was seeking but had no resources internally to provide. The Lockport Woman’s Club was ideally suited to undertake this effort, as several members possess sewing and teaching experience. In the summer months, members developed general lesson plans and identified suitable projects.
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WOMEN'S HISTORY and RESOUCE CENTER (WHRC) CATEGORY
Founded in 1984, the Women’s History and Resource Center collects, preserves, interprets, and promotes the history of the GFWC and women volunteers. The WHRC documents the social and political contributions of GFWC clubwomen from 1890 to the present through the GFWC archives, related special collections, and publications. 

The publication of the Lockport Woman's Club's History Book, With Charity For All, was honored with the 2023 Creativity Award in WHRC Category. This project advances to the 2024 National Convention in July 2024. We are excited to see what happens at the GFWC Annual Convention this summer! A hearty congratulations to the History Committee for their exceptional work!

Here is an excerpt from the award submission:

Five members successfully compiled and published the history of the Lockport Woman’s Club, an account of the Club’s activities and accomplishments from 1902 to 2022. For background, in the 1990s, the documents and memorabilia accumulated and preserved by members over the years were consolidated and moved to a building owned by Lewis University. The Club History Committee sought to write a 120-year history of the club. The last history was written to commemorate the club’s 100th anniversary. Committee members spent over 4,200 total hours researching and writing over three years. The total cost of production was $2,411. Complimentary copies were distributed to the local public libraries, the high school, and other community organizations and officials. 
HEALTH and WELLNESS COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM CATEGORY
The human body, mind, and spirit comprise our health and wellness. To improve our wellbeing, we must 
address three key components:  nutrition, disease prevention, and physical and emotional care. This 
Community Service Program aims to explore the various opportunities for awareness and advancement of each of these vital areas. 

Lockport Woman’s Club and Homer Glen Junior Woman's Club were honored with a Unity Award in the Health and Wellness Category for their collaborative efforts in organizing a Spring Fashion Show fundraiser. This event was a successful initiative, benefiting Shady Oaks Camp in 2023.

Here is an excerpt from the award submission:
To support the Shady Oaks Camp for People with Disabilities (Health and Wellness) Homer Glen Junior Woman’s Club and the Lockport Woman’s Club held a fashion show to raise funds to support the Shady Oaks summer camp that provides recreational activities otherwise not available to those with disabilities of all ages. $4,866 was donated to Shady Oaks, along with $350 of paper products. 
GFWC Illinois Coveted Red Shoe Award 👠
The Lockport Woman's Club was among 24 clubs across Illinois recognized for outstanding work that the members of LWC have done for our community in 2023.