Recognizing Dominion Woman's Club

Floor Speech

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Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I am honored to use this time to recognize the 15th anniversary of the General Federation of Women's Clubs Dominion Woman's Club (DWC) in Virginia's 10th District. The DWC is a volunteer organization in Prince William and Fauquier Counties that is dedicated to improving our community by advocating for critical issues and providing volunteer services. Some of the DWC's work has involved supporting our schools and libraries, meeting the needs of the underserved, calling attention to the problems of child and domestic abuse, and working to promote conservation through volunteer service.

The DWC was founded in 2007 under the guidance of the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Virginia (GFWC-VA). The GFWC-VA, founded in 1890, focuses on promoting culture and education, increasing domestic abuse awareness, and establishing smaller, local clubs across Virginia. The DWC's first President was Nanette McKeel Petrella, and many current members credit the club's early success to her leadership and vision.

Today, the DWC supports a wide variety of organizations and groups across Prince William and Fauquier Counties, including Bull Run Mountain Conservancy, Leopold's Preserve, the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry, PACE West School, Suella Gilbert Ellis Elementary, Gravely Elementary, Friends of Homeless Animals and more. The members of the club come from a variety of backgrounds, including teachers, counselors, professional women, moms, and women involved in various communal volunteer organizations. While their levels of participation and interests may vary, each member shares the common goal of empowering one another through community service.

The club's current board, led by President Martha Feeney, has done an admirable job of guiding the club during the COVID-19 pandemic. She implemented creative methods to navigate remote outreach and ensured that the club's community impact remained resilient. Under their leadership in 2021, the club participated in 42 volunteer programs, contributed 4,734 volunteer hours, and donated over $20,000, including in-kind donations, to fund their community outreaches.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the GFWC Dominion Woman's Club for its steadfast commitment to serving our community for the past 15 years. I wish the women of this entire organization all the best in their future endeavors and commend their desire to ``be the change that you wish to see.''

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