Her Story Podcasts



Julie Walters, First Vice President of GFWC Georgia is developing a podcast series to preserve the voices and experiences of the women who make GFWC so extraordinary. Members of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs share their personal stories and volunteer journeys, meaningful projects, and the moments that inspired them to serve.

We are pleased to announce several DWC members participated in the podcasts and shared their journeys. Listed below are the dates our Dunwoody Woman’s Club podcasts will be available. Our club’s history will now be preserved!

You can listen by clicking on the podcast website link.

Podcast Link

Jo Ann - August 27

Diane - September 4

Linda - September 11

Beverly - September 18

Maria - September 25

Kathy - October 2

Ways and Means

Linda Mote lmmote@mindspring.com

Home Tour 2026

As I reflect on Friday's Home Tour I see many smiling faces; those of our members as they greeted our guests, the guests as they walked up the driveway after viewing the beautiful homes, and our home owners who so graciously allowed us to use their homes. The next smiles will be those charities who will receive our donations from the funds raised today.

I want to include some quotes:

• “Dear Hostesses, from the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank you for making the home tour a great success. Pat yourselves on the back for a job well done!! You all have been a wonderful team, working so hard to make the 53rd tour a success. We had a perfect day and our guests enjoyed a wonderful experience.” Diane Norris
• “I am always so impressed how a group of volunteers can plan, organize, and execute the plan of a home tour! There are so many moving parts and we work together to make it happen. I truly believe the dedication and commitment to working together is the secret sauce!” Maria Barnhart
• Ladies, “Thank you for making us a part of your fabulous day! We all worked hard but I can tell you, we were proud of our hard work. The garage came to life and there was plenty of art to show and sell. I think it was enjoyed by all. Y'all are a delight to work with!” Julie Marshall

Again, thanks to all who made this day so very special includig the men who worked parking duty as they have one of the harder jobs. And our golf cart drivers who were so very helpful making sure our guests got safely down the long driveway.

Until next year!!!!

Linda

Coming in November

• The Flower Power Holiday Bulb Sale is back with the traditional Amaryllis bulb kits and the addition of some exciting new gift items! Look for more details in the November newsletter.

^Membership

Rosemary Wattts wrosemary@hotmail.com

Be sure to click the link under Highlights - Spotlight Member of the Month in the top left corner of the newsletter to read about member Martha Blondheim who joined DWC in 1996. She enjoys being on the Home Tour committee and serving as one of coordinators for the head hostesses. Thank you, Martha, for your continued dedication to the Dunwoody Woman’s Club. 

Membership Event

Save the date for Thursday, October 29^th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm for our membership recruitment event. Make plans to attend and invite family, friends or neighbors to learn more about DWC and have a fun time. There will be sips and bites, art, shopping, and more. 

October 15 General Meeting

Membership and Civic Engagement and Outreach are partnering together to host the guest speaker. We will hear from Sherry White, Executive Director of Dress for Success Georgia. You do not want to miss learning about the many programs Dress for Success Georgia provides for women who are rebuilding their lives from difficult circumstances, including domestic violence. DWC is pleased to partner with Dress for Success Georgia with several projects to help these women. 

Save the Date

At our December 17 holiday luncheon meeting we will include a new member induction ceremony to formally welcome our new members. Plan to attend to help welcome our newest members to DWC and share in the holiday spirit. 

Dunwoody Woman's Club Evening Division

Mary Jane Hollander mjhollander@yahoo.com

Our meeting with Lauren Sok, physical therapist and founder of Functionize Health and Physical Therapy was great. We learned a lot about staying fit and building muscle. She was very motivating and we "enjoyed" participating and practicing a few exercises she shared.

The Evening Division will not have a meeting in October in lieu of the membership event, Shop, Sip and Create. We hope to see everyone there! Our next meeting will be in November.

Our booth at Brook Run's Saturday Farmer's Market

where evening division members sold Home Tour tickets.

It garnered attention and interest in the event and resulted in ticket sales.

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS

Arts and Culture

Carol Ciepluch  carolynjane3@gmail.com

Judi Erickson ericks3@aol.com



Thanks to DWC’s Pat Troxel and her friend and fellow artist Cindi Williams for providing a tour of Chamblee’s wonderful Urban Art Collective, home to 35 artists’ studios for our September program. After lunch we visited Spruill Gallery and presented CEO Alan Mothner with a $2050 check in support of all the arts programming Spruill provides for the Dunwoody community and beyond.



Join us Thursday, October 22, when Arts & Culture, Environment, and Civic Engagement present a joint program that begins at the historic Williams Payne House in Sandy Springs (now Summit Coffee, 6075 Sandy Springs Circle).  Join us for coffee, pastry and to learn about the history of the house, the original Sandy Springs, and the lovely Heritage Gardens from Sandy Springs Arts board member Linda Bain. Then we'll head to Abernathy Art Center to tour their gallery and new ceramic studio before lunch nearby. Carpool from St. Luke’s at 9 am. Parking is at a premium but available on the street and across the street in a grassy lot. Hope to see you there! RSVP: carolynjane3@gmail.com

Civic Engagement and Outreach

Donna Knowlton dfknowlton@comcast.net

October is Crime Prevention Month and Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Wear purple to honor survivors and raise awareness of domestic violence, dating violence and signs of unhealthy relationships.

October Events:

• October 4-10^th – Fire Prevention Week – The theme for 2026 is “Charge into Fire Safety - Safe Charging is a Superpower.” The theme focuses on everyday habits that can reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires. We will have informational handouts at the October General meeting.
• Thursday, October 22^nd – Civic Engagement joins Arts and Environment for a joint program that includes a tour of the historic Williams Payne House in Sandy Springs, the Heritage Gardens, and Abernathy Art Center. Details in Arts and Culture.
• Thursday, October 29^th, 5-8 pm at Brook Run Park – 10^th Annual “Truck or Treat” with the Dunwoody Police Department. Civic Engagement will again donate Halloween candy and decorations to the police department.

Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child

For our October/November project, we will support GFWC Georgia President Peggy Wilson’s charitable focus and fill shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and personal care items for girls and boys, ages 2-4, 5-9 and 10-14.

Suggested items include:

• a “Wow” item such as small backpack, stuffed animal, doll, large toy truck or car and purse. Smaller items include personal care items, school supplies, clothing and accessories, games and activities, and toys.
• Items on the “NO” list are soap, food, candy or gum, toothpaste, scary or war-related items, seeds, liquids, money, matches, knives, or breakable items.
• A complete list of boy and girl items can be found at Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child
• We have preprinted shoeboxes. A donation of $10 per box is needed for each packed box to help defray the shipping costs. You can bring your donations to the October General meeting and November Board meeting. We will hold a workshop to complete the boxes after our November Board meeting at 12:00 pm.

Education and Libraries

Linda Mote lmmote@mindspring.com

Diane Norris dianenorris@bellsouth.net

We welcomed Tony Barnhart as our September General Meeting speaker. He shared his success as a writer and talked about his most recent book, The 19 of Greene.

October

• ADHD Awareness Month, Dyslexia Awareness Month, and Down Syndrome Awareness Month
• National Book Month
• America’s Safe Schools Week and National School Bus Safety Week

Environment

Kathy Hanna kak1941@aol.com

Nancy Baldwin nbaldwin@bellsouth.net

Debra Love debra1926@comcast.net

On Thursday, September 24, Environment met with Robby Burnett at Pike's Nursery for a discussion of native plants and varieties that can withstand the Atlanta winter season.

Please join us on Thursday, Oct. 22 for a joint program with Civic Outreach and Arts CSPs that includes a tour of the historic Williams Payne House in Sandy Springs, the Heritage Gardens, and Abernathy Art Center. Details in Arts and Culture.

October Community Events:

• Brook Run Farmer's Market: every Saturday from 9 to noon. 
• Brook Run Demo Gardens: 2nd Saturday of each month at the Greenhouse at 11 am. Oct. 10: Ann Bone on "Fall is for Planting".
• Birding classes at DNC Saturdays 8-10am; $10 and free to DNC members.

Tips: 

• Plant native species not only for the birds but for our pollinators. Fall is the best planting time and a great time to keep the water flowing, clean debris, and prune plants.
• Get an energy audit from GA Power, it’s free!

Health and Wellness

Diane Norris dianenorris@bellsouth.net

Lori Desoutter desoutter@comcast.net

Thursday,  October 8^th we will meet at Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church at 10 am and carpool to Ronald McDonald House. Please email or text at 678-772-0109 to let Diane know that you will attend. She will let you know what we will be bringing along with their donation. We will have lunch at Petite Violette Restaurant on Clairmont Road.

Backpack Buddies ~ We will continue with the project of volunteering at the Backpack Buddies Distribution Center on the following dates along with those who have signed up. Please let Diane know if you can help.

Friday, October 23^rd ~ 11 am to 1 pm. We need one more helper.

Friday, November 13^th ~ 11 am to 1 pm. Three more helpers are needed.

Friday, December 11^th  ~ 11 am to 1 pm. We can use three more helpers.

Unity Project - WALK AND TALK ~ We had a great time in September at Brook Run Park. We decided to walk and talk each month at Brook Run. In October we will be meeting Monday 10/12 and 10/26. We will meet at the Greenhouse. Please text Diane at 678-772-0109 and let her know that you will be joining us.

Looking ahead to November, we will have a speaker on how the food you eat shapes your mood, memory, and focus. We will also have the Golden Olympics event on November 12th. Stay tuned for details.

COLLECTIONS

Please bring to General Meetings:

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH

Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child (ages 2-14):

• Wow” items such as small backpack, stuffed animal, doll, large toy truck or car and purse.
• Personal care items, school supplies, clothing and accessories, games and activities, and toys.
• “NO” list items are soap, food, candy or gum, toothpaste, scary or war-related items, seeds, liquids, money, matches, knives, or breakable items.
• Donations of $10 per box are needed for each packed box to help defray the shipping costs.

EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES

Retirement Homes:

• Collecting magazines

ENVIRONMENT

Animal Shelters:

• Blankets any size, dog and cat toys, animal treats, animal food, newspapers, paper towels, food and monetary donations.
• Fur Kids on Holcomb Bridge Rd will also take household and clothing donations to support our shelters.

Go Sneakers:

• Used “sneaks” to be recycled into nearly new or ground up for roads and playgrounds.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Ella F. White Endowment Fund

Lipscomb Society

Ann Smith smit7004@bellsouth.net

Calling all checkbooks! It’s that time of year when Georgia local chapters send checks to our GFWC Georgia State Office.

Ella F. White Endowment Fund

First, we fund the GFWC Georgia State Office to ensure the State Office is well equipped. This fund is called the Ella F. White Memorial Endowment Fund.  Ella White was President of GFWC-Georgia from 1911-1913. Make your check out to GFWC-Georgia with Ella F. White in the memo line. Ann Smith will collect your checks up to December 1st when they will be mailed.

Lipscomb Society

Second, we help preserve the Mary Ann Lipscomb Cottage on the campus of Tallulah Falls School. Make checks out to The Lipscomb Society which was established to honor Mary Ann Lispcomb, who established the Tallulah Falls School in 1909. Put DWC on the memo line. Your gift is tax deductible.

Leadership

Deborah Gault dcgault@comcast.net



Mahjongg Madness

Monday, January 18, 2027



Updates:

• Our location, playing times, and ticket prices are set.
• A flyer has been designed to be distributed and appear on the DWC website, leading to the ticket purchase page. CSP Chairs identified certain charities to highlight on the website and the flyers. 
• Light snacks and beverages are being discussed. Vintage Pizza is donating water, tea, and sodas. 
• Our website is being developed to facilitate individual ticket purchases as well as table purchases and assigning individuals to tables. The website will be live on Nov. 1, 2026.
• Raffle prizes and favors are being solicited and collected. DWC members will be asked to approach their frequently patronized retailers to seek interest in being sponsors or providing raffle or door prizes. 
• Publicity will include the flyers, and possible ads in the Crier, Dunwoody Newsletter, AHA, and other community publications.

The next project meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15, at 12:15 at Vintage Pizza. Please RSVP to Deborah if you plan to attend. Deborah Gault – 404-304-5234, dcgault@comcast.net / Sheila Jiwani - 678-429-9279, sheilajiwani@jiwani.com

Legislative

Dottie D'Angelo dottieatlanta@gmail.com

GFWC has challenged clubs to increase our legislative advocacy. It is our responsibility

to inform our elected officials on issues that affect our communities. When members are engaged with the GFWC Legislative Action Center, they receive email alerts for pending bipartisan legislation, enabling them to inform their own Representatives and Senators. Together, our voices are powerful. If you would like to receive these alerts from GFWC headquarters, visit www.votervoice.net/mobile/GFWC/home 

Stage Door Theatre

Sharon Clark - sharon-clark@comcast.net

RIPCORD

 Oct. 3-18

A sunny room on an upper floor is prime real estate in the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility, so when the cantankerous Abby is forced to share her quarters with new-arrival Marilyn, she has no choice but to get rid of the infuriatingly chipper woman by any means necessary. A seemingly harmless bet between the old women quickly escalates into a dangerous game of one-upmanship that reveals not just the tenacity of these worthy opponents, but also deeper truths that each would rather remain hidden.

Tallulah Falls School

Linda Mote - lmmote@mindspring.com

October 27, Tour of Tallulah Falls School: meet at St. Luke's Church at 9:00 am to carpool. We will visit the school founded in 1909 by Mary Ann Lipscomb, a member of the Athens, GA Woman’s Club. She rallied members to found a school to educate children living in the remote mountains of Tallulah Falls.

Women in History

Suzanne Bentz - suzannesbentz@comcast.net

Stephanie Kwolek, Inventor of Kevlar

October is Fire Prevention Month. It’s also Polish American Heritage Month. And its primary birthstone, the fiery opal, celebrates creativity and inspiration. All ingredients for this month’s column featuring DuPont polymer chemist, Stephanie Kwolek. Thanks to Stephanie, firefighters worldwide can now wear protective gear made with flame-resistant, flexible, stronger-than-steel fibers. 

Stephanie was born to Polish immigrants in 1923. She grew up in Pennsylvania and spent hours with her dad “exploring the natural world.” Stephanie’s love of science would take her to Carnegie Mellon University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1946. While she had dreamed of becoming a physician, DuPont offered Stephanie a position upon graduation, and work with chemicals became so intriguing, she stayed put.

Over the course of 40 years with DuPont, Stephanie filed 28 patents. Her research with polymer chemistry has led to more than 200 applications for Kevlar alone, patented in 1965: bullet-proof vests, lightweight body armor, durable skis and tennis rackets, even protective layers in bridge suspension, drumheads and frying pans. Oh, and those sturdy cellphone cases …yup, Kevlar. 

Stephanie won numerous awards and medals for her work, and she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2003. Until her death in 2014, Stephanie remained a passionate advocate for “increasing women’s participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).”

Like DWC volunteers, Stephanie was inspired by the work she took on and drew strength from her commitment to improve lives. She once said, “All sorts of things can happen when you’re open to new ideas.” 

Newsletter

Kay Moe kgp12@att.net

Susan Crawford susanpc1@bellsouth.net

55 Years of Service in our Community 1971-2026