Did you know that the #1 killer of women is cardiovascular disease?

It is never too early to learn about heart health and what you can do to keep yours healthy for a lifetime. The month of February is dedicated to "healthy heart" awareness.

Learn the symptoms of a stroke and heartache, and what a healthy diet consists of to maintain your heart's health.

Please mark your calendars today for Friday, February 7, "National Wear Red Day" to raise awareness on this important topic.

Be sure to share your photos with us throughout the day!

To learn more, visit: www.heart.org

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It's WHRC Wednesday! Throughout the GFWC archives you can find evidence of our longstanding commitment to children's health. For decades, we have helped organizations like our affiliate March of Dimes (originally the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis) fight dangerous diseases and improve health outcomes for babies and children.

The battle against the dreaded poliomyelitis – or "infantile paralysis" – was a vital GFWC project in the early and mid 20th century. Reading our magazine from the 1930s and 1940s, you can find guidance on avoiding the disease, program ideas for helping your community through an outbreak, and pleas for volunteer assistance in caring for victims. Countless clubwomen pitched in, like Ruth A. Pipal of the Columbian Club (Boise, Idaho) who organized hundreds of women to "entertain, read, and play with the crippled children" during the polio epidemic of 1948.

When Dr. Jonas Salk and his colleagues introduced the life-saving polio vaccine in 1955, our members – especially the Juniors – added it to their arsenal in the fight, focusing on community vaccination efforts and fundraising for the Salk Institute. A letter from Director of Junior Clubs Phyllis Curtis (1958-1960) to State Junior Directors in November 1959 urged her readers to maintain their momentum in the ongoing fight: "If you want to help others keep walking – keep Salk-ing."

In 1994, thanks in no small part to GFWC club members, polio was considered eliminated in both North and South America.

📷Framed certificate: "The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis Award of Gratitude – General Federation of Women's Clubs – For inspiring volunteer leadership and cooperation in educational endeavors to increase knowledge of the patient care, professional training and research programs of The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis; for generous voluntary support of the March of Dimes and the participation in the Mother's March on Polio by countless clubs of your warm hearted Federation; for dedication of purpose and effort to improve national health and welfare and help achieve our common goal of victory over polio. May 27, 1953".

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Book your room today for the 2025 GFWC Annual Convention, June 7-9, in Atlanta, to receive GFWC rate!

The OMNI Atlanta at Centennial Park is conveniently connected to the College Football Hall of Fame and one block from the World of Coke and Georgia Aquarium. It is located in the center of it all.

Don’t miss out on the excitement of this year’s Convention!

To view hotel's amenities and photos, visit: www.omnihotels.com/hotels/atlanta-centennial-park/property-details

For hotel reservations, visit: bookings.omnihotels.com/event/atlanta-centennial-park/2025-gfwc-annual-convention

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It's WHRC Wednesday! January is National Braille Literacy Month, to honor the January 4th, 1809 birthday of Louis Braille. GFWC member clubs have worked on many projects and programs related to increasing access to literature for blind readers, including both audio and Braille books. For example, in the mid 1930s the Junior Clubs of Mississippi funded the binding of Braille books that were produced by the Mississippi Commission for the Blind.

While I couldn't find any social-media-appropriate images to go with that project (Mississippi club members, let us know if you have sources!), there are other related projects in the WHRC Archives. For example, the GFWC Conservation Department (1968-1970) suggested a "Build a Trail of Braille" program. Here, we expanded our thinking beyond books, outward to the natural environment. "A path through a garden of carefully selected plants, or a nature trail through the woods, with descriptive signs, printed both in Braille and regular script, can become a place of delight for everyone," Mary Margaret Lawrence, GFWC Program Coordinator, declared.

Has your club participated in projects or programming related to expanding access to, or literacy training in, Braille? Let us know in the comments!

📘"Build a Trail of Braille" program brochure, GFWC Conservation Department, 1968-1970 administration. PRO 1968-1970 f51 … See MoreSee Less

Registration Open for THREE Upcoming Webinars… Be sure to register today!

January 27, 2025 @ 7 PM ET — ESO Beyond the Page, Mystery with a Mission — bit.ly/3AkgYoc

February 5, 2025 @ 7 PM ET — Heart Health Awareness Month
bit.ly/48Epc7g

February 11, 2025 @ 7 PM ET — The Role Storytelling Plays in Advancing a Brand and Building Membership — bit.ly/3UI3Srs

To learn more about GFWC events, visit: www.GFWC.org

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