Northwest District Meeting

Saturday, March 29, 2025

9:00 am, Great Hall

St. Luke's Presbyterian Church

1978 Mt. Vernon Rd.

Dunwoody, GA 30338

Dunwoody Woman's Club 2025 - 2026 Board

Standing Committee Chairmen

Ways and Means

Linda Mote llmote@mindspring.com

The committee members for the 52nd GFWC Dunwoody Woman's Club Home Tour are in place. We have toured and selected one home in Sandy Springs and a second Sandy Springs home will be toured soon. Several members are currently working on securing a home in Dunwoody.

Sponsor packets will be available at the General Meetings. Please take a packet. We're hoping to recruit some new sponsors this year and we will need everyone to help to make that happen.

^Membership

Maria Barnhart mariavbarnhart@gmail.com

Membership Spotlight for March – Be sure to click on the link at the top of the newsletter in the Highlights section titled Member Spotlight of the Month to enjoy reading about Mary Jane Hollander. 

Membership Dues Reminder

If you have not yet paid club dues, please contact Maria Barnhart (404-310-0546) or pay online at www.dunwoodywomansclub.com.

• Active Members, $85.00
• Associate Members $100.00
• Sustaining Members $110.00.

Coming in June

In the coming months you will hear more about how you can volunteer as GFWC-Georgia is hosting the 2025 GFWC Convention, June 6-9, 2025 at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta. What a great opportunity to be a part of this special event. 

Dunwoody Woman's Club Evening Division

Rosemary Watts, wrosemary@hotmail.com

Please mark your calendars for the DWC Evening Division Meeting on Thursday, March 27 at 5:45 pm. We'll be playing Music Bingo in the Dunwoody United Methodist Church Young Adult Suite. Donations for this event can be made on the DWC DONATE website ("Evening Bingo" in the notes) or bring cash. To donate prizes (limit 3), please drop them off with Lisa Benson at 1359 Vernon North Drive; Dunwoody in the bin on her porch. 

Sign up here for the meeting:

Sign Up Genius



Arts and Culture

Joan Smith jsmith30215@gmail.com

Carol Ciepluch  carolynjane3@gmail.com

Saturday, March 29, Spruill Arts Center, "Artistic Affair" fundraiser. To register log onto their website: Spruill Arts Center

Monday, April 7, from 10 am to 2 pm, Arts & Culture will host a Sardine Festival at Anchor Place. The Sardine Festival is Lisbon, Portugal’s biggest summer party. DWC members will help Anchor Place participants paint wooden sardines, sing some lively songs, enjoy “traditional” snacks and a light lunch, and celebrate Portugal’s rich culture.

Anchor Place is a respite day program now open at Saint Patrick’s Episcopal Church, across from Brook Run Park at 4755 North Peachtree Road. Anchor Place welcomes older adults living with mild-to-moderate memory issues.

Civic Engagement and Outreach

Donna Knowlton dfknowlton@comcast.net

“Step into March with purpose and passion.”  

March Events 2025

• Sunday, March 9 – Daylight Savings Time – Change batteries in smoke alarms.
• Wednesday, March 12 – National Girl Scout Day
• Saturday, March 29 – Vietnam Veterans Day – Is observed annually in the United States and recognizes veterans who served in the US military during the Vietnam War.

Thursday, March 20, (March General Meeting) – We are pleased to have two speakers from the Salvation Army. We will welcome Major Sandra Pawar, Corps Officer and Fred Reynaud, Major Gifts Manager II, Metropolitan Atlanta Area Command. Please see the Leadership article in this newsletter for more information.

Children's Restoration Network Annual Easter Basket Drive

We will be collecting Easter baskets or items for Easter baskets for Children's Restoration Network's annual drive. You can bring your baskets to the March 20 General Meeting or April 3, Board Meeting. Last year we donated thirty-three baskets. CRN will accept new and filled baskets for newborns - teens. Suggested items include:

• individually wrapped chocolate, gum, and mints; stickers; coloring books; crayons; markers; small toys; bubbles; and stuffed animals. For teenagers they suggest nail polish, lip balm, hair items, books, notebooks and journals. Store bought, completed baskets are gratefully accepted.

(If we need to assemble baskets, we will hold a short workshop after the April Board meeting). We will deliver all baskets to the CRN in Roswell on Friday, April 11, 2025. 

Education and Libraries

Linda Mote llmote@mindspring.com

Diane Norris dianenorris@bellsouth.net

World Down Syndrome Day is on 21 March every year and is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The goal is to help people understand and support those with Down syndrome better. The date being the 21st day of the 3rd month was chosen to represent the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

National Down Syndrome Society’s (NDSS) Education Program works to develop a continuum of systems-level supports for students with Down syndrome and their families as children with Down syndrome can succeed in mainstream schools with the right support. Join the ‘Lots Of Socks’ campaign, March 21 and get people talking about Down Syndrome by wearing your most eye-catching socks.  Believe it or not, socks get people talking!

Book Club anyone? We will have a sign up sheet at the General meeting, or email Linda at lmmote@mindspring.com if you are interested.

Environment

Kathy Hanna kak1941@aol.com

Nancy Baldwin nbaldwin@bellsouth.net

Debra Love debra1926@comcast.net

Wednesday, March 26, at 9:45 am, we will carpool from St Luke’s to the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant with lunch to follow at Maximo’s. We will take a tour which will include a lecture on “Where Our Water Comes From and How Great It Is”. 

March Community Events:

• Brook Run Demo Gardens at the Greenhouse, - 11:00 am, March 8 is about Seeds, with our friend, Art Simon.
• Brook Run Farmers Market, Every Saturday from 10-1 during the winter.
• Dunwoody Nature Center, March 8, 10-11 am "Birds of a Feather"

Future Events:

Making Re-useable Tote Bags for Malachi's Storehouse

Tour of Lifeline Animal Shelter's New Addition

Health and Wellness

Diane Norris dianenorris@bellsouth.net

"Read Across America Day" at Hightower Elementary. Deborah Gault reading to kindergarteners.

Date: Thursday, March 13

Time: 11:00 am Tour (10:30 am carpool from St. Luke’s)

Event: Peachtree Farm Tour. Peachtree Farm’s mission is to produce locally grown produce for the metro Atlanta and North Georgia area while providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Location: 350 Research Court, Norcross. Lunch after the tour at Taqueria Tsunami, 5160 Town Center Blvd. 510, Peachtree Corners 

Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta/Jack's Baskets

We are encouraging everyone to attend the NW District Meeting on March 29. Sheryl Arno, Executive Director of Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta, (one of Maria's initiatives) will be the featured speaker.

Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta partners with Jack’s Baskets. (Baskets are given to parents who have a Down Syndrome baby). Since 2014, Jack’s Baskets has celebrated over 7,500 babies in all 50 states and over 40 countries and in 2024 they delivered 70 baskets to families. We will be presenting Sheryl with items to be included in Jack’s Baskets, and we are asking members who attend the meeting to bring baby items to add to Jack’s baskets.

Suggested items include:

• Infant clothes - boys and girls (newborn to 12 months), onesies - girls and boys (newborn to 12 months), swaddling blankets, infant appropriate stuffed animals (no button eyes, or pieces a baby could swallow), baby socks, gift cards, hypoallergenic bath soap and shampoo, baby wipes, and newborn diapers

Backpack Buddies We will continue volunteering at the Backpack Buddies Distribution

Center on Fridays from 11 am to 1 pm. On April 18, 2-3 additional volunteers are needed.

March Awareness Month 

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the United States but highly preventable with screening and highly treatable when caught early. At home stool tests and a colonoscopy are preventable steps. For information and symptoms, visit: fightcolorectalcancer.org

COLLECTIONS

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT and OUTREACH

Children's Restoration Network: Collecting Easter baskets or items for Easter baskets for Children's Restoration Network's annual drive. You can bring your baskets to the March 20, General Meeting or April 3, Board Meeting.

EDUCATION and LIBRARIES

Retirement Homes: Collecting magazines at monthly meetings.

ENVIRONMENT

Animal Shelters: Blankets any size, dog or cat toys, animal treats, newspapers, paper towels, food and monetary donations. They are in need of animal food. Please bring to the General Meetings and we will deliver for you. 

HEALTH and WELLNESS

Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta/Jack's Baskets: Collecting infant clothes- boys and girls (newborn to 12 months), onesies- girls and boys (newborn to 12 months), swaddling blankets, infant appropriate stuffed animals (no button eyes, or pieces a baby could swallow), baby socks, gift cards, hypoallergenic bath soap and shampoo, baby wipes, and newborn diapers. Please bring to the NW District Meeting on March 29.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Leadership

Deborah Gault - dcgault@comcast.net

Civic Engagement and Leadership are hosting the Salvation Army Atlanta International CORPS. at the General Meeting on Thursday, March 20, 2025. 

Our speakers will be Major Sandra Pawar, Corps Officer, and Fred Reynaud, Major Gifts Manager II, Georgia Division, Metropolitan Atlanta Area Command. They will discuss this focused ministry, and describe the many programs AIC provides. AIC specifically serves diverse populations of Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Norcross, Peachtree Corners and Doraville communities. Needs are great for recent immigrants, young families, and low-income neighbors experiencing food shortages, health care, educational opportunities, and other hardships. 

The AIC works to identify those needing help and reaches out to provide aid. Programs include: 

• Youth Development Programs, (educational, musical, life skills, mentorship biblical and recreational activities for children and teens), Food Assistance, (community pantry services), English Classes, Senior Citizens programs, (support and companionship, food insecurity), Harmony Playgroup, (weekly events for mothers and kids featuring music, arts, games, day trips and snacks to entertain and educate), Pathway of Hope, (tailored case management assisting families overcoming unemployment, unstable housing, and lack of education, steering them toward self-sufficiency), Community Outreach, (holiday assistance, disaster relief, housing), Human Trafficking, (aiding survivors and those at risk of trafficking, sexual and labor).

Legislative

Dottie D'Angelo DottieAtlanta@gmail.com

In early July 2024, GFWC proudly co-signed an anti-trafficking coalition letter urging the Senate to enact the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA, H.R. 5856) which is a foundational piece of anti-trafficking legislation because it governs the federal government’s comprehensive response to human trafficking.

The bill was approved by the House of Representatives in February by a strong bipartisan vote. Importantly, the coalition letter also urges a more comprehensive package by adding the International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (S. 920) recently approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Stage Door Theatre

Sharon Clark sharon-clark@comcast.net

A Stage Door Theatre Joint Venture

with Agnes Scott College

Agnes Scott College - Winter Theatre

April 10-20



Tallulah Falls School

Linda Mote lmmote@mindspring.com

Tallulah Falls School senior Caroline Smith and junior Allison York, both of Mount Airy, were selected as members of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) All-State Chorus. This is one of the highest honors achieved by high school choral students in the state. Students must pass two challenging vocal auditions as they compete against 6,000 talented choral students throughout Georgia. Only 1,200 7th-12th grade students were selected. All-State Chorus members came together on the UGA campus in Athens on February 13-15 for rehearsals and a final concert performance at the conclusion of the weekend. 

Women in History

Suzanne Bentz

From Eve to Us

Throughout history women have reared children and nurtured families; governed kingdoms and forged empires; led rebellions and saved souls; written songs, penned books and painted masterpieces; developed medicines, captained ships, and much, much more. But it wasn’t until the 19th century that a women’s club movement coalesced from social beginnings as literary gatherings into a source of social reform and community improvement. Women now working together in teams to do so. 

The women’s club movement spread quickly across America and is now world-wide. Initially, women’s clubs tackled the need for kindergartens, women’s suffrage, child labor and legal reform. To this day, members remain true to that mission, promoting education, as well as civic, social and moral advancement in our communities. 

Every year, DWC contributes a portion of its Ways & Means budget to several local organizations that preserve, in part, the achievements of women: The Atlanta History Center, the DeKalb History Center, and the Dunwoody Preservation Trust. 

We also help support the 1734 Society and Women’s History Resource Center at the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Headquarters, located at 1734 N Street, NW, Washington, DC. GFWC holdings are available for research, academics, and the general public, so add this address to your next visit to our nation’s capital.

March is Women’s History Month. It is a time to celebrate and emphasize the accomplishments of women from Eve to Us. Author Diane Mariechild wrote in “Mother Wit” that “A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” We can agree that Eve made a few unfortunate missteps in the Garden of Eden, but, if she were around today, she would be really proud of the work modern women undertake to transform society for the better.

Newsletter

Kay Moe kgp12@att.net

Susan Crawford susanpc1@bellsouth.net

54 Years of Service in our Community 1971-2025