Article Image Alt Text

The 116th GFWC of La. State Convention in Lafayette highlighted (l-f) Marian St. Clair, GFWC National Second Vice President from South Carolina, United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley, Angela Cutrera, GFWC of Louisiana State President, and Marleen Thompson, GFWC of La. District 3 President.

Article Image Alt Text

Charitable Community Service donations were made at the GFWC of La. State Convention to Faith House Domestic Violence Crisis Center. L-R Jessica Frazier, Operations Manager of Faith House, received the donations from Angela Cutrera, GFWC of La. State President, and Marleen Thompson, GFWC of La. District 3 President.

Article Image Alt Text

Members of GFWC of LA, District 3, who hosted the 116th State Convention, are (l-r): Staci Dupree, District Treasurer; Tammy Richard, Les Dames de Gueydan; Angie LeBlanc, Les Dames de Gueydan; Marleen Thompson, District 3 President; Rena Labat, GFWC Houma Junior Women’s Club; Sandra Dunbar, District 3 Director of Junior Clubs; Laverne Bihm, Bayou Junior Woman’s Club; Lucinda Martinez, GFWC of LA Vice President; Angela Cutrera, GFWC of LA State President; Brooke Huddleston, Bayou Junior Woman’s Club; Marian St. Clair, GFWC National Second Vice President; Anne Blanchet, District 3 Convention Chairperson, and Elaine Dill, Woman’s Club of Abbeville.

Abbeville, Gueydan Women’s Club hosts state convention

The Woman’s Club of Abbeville and Les Dames de Gueydan were two Vermilion Parish Women’s Clubs in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Louisiana, District 3, which hosted the 116th Annual State Convention in Lafayette this past week. Both clubs brought home numerous awards in the community service areas of Arts, Conservation, Education, Home Life, Public Issues, and International Outreach.
The convention highlights included welcoming remarks from 15th Judicial District Judge Laurie Hulin, a keynote address from United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley, and a presentation by local author, Cheryl Myers.
Judge Hulin encouraged participants to keep a “yes” card in their pocket as a reminder to continue their volunteer community service activities.
Ms. Finley spoke about public issues affecting women and the need for community involvement. She assured members that their volunteer service was making a positive difference in the world today.
Ms. Myers spoke of the importance of preserving the history of our communities. She has written two books, Palmetto, the Early Years and The History of Port Barre, and is currently working on the history of Washington, Louisiana.
GFWC of Louisiana State President, Angela Cutrera, introduced Denise Cannatella and Susie Leger Peck who gave special presentations at the convention. Ms. Cannatella, a member of the Melville Woman’s Club, spoke on Women’s heart health issues.
Ms. Peck, a member of GFWC Opelousas Woman’s Club and GFWC Les Dames d’Etude club, spoke on domestic awareness violence and prevention.
GFWC of Louisiana District 3 President, Marleen Thompson, hosted convention special guest, Marian St. Clair from South Carolina. Ms. St. Clair is the national General Federation of Women’s Club Second Vice President and a Master Gardener. Ms. St. Clair and young local artist, Jaci Tidwell, were honored at a reception prepared by the Woman’s Club of Abbeville.
Convention participants motored to the beautiful historic home of Ben and Anne Blanchet at Brookshire Farm.
Guests were treated to a Noack pipe organ concert by Mr. Blanchet. Mrs. Blanchet, GFWC of LA District 3 Convention Chairperson, presented a farm to table dinner prepared by chefs Bob and Katie Blanchet.
Dressed in the denim and pearls theme, guests enjoyed the dinner featuring fresh food sourced from area farmers and Brookshire Farm grass fed and pasture finished beef.
Charitable donations from club members were presented to Ms. Jessica Frazier, Operations Manager of Faith House. Ms. Frazier spoke to the membership about the facilities and programs offered at the domestic violence crisis center.
The meeting sessions of the state convention focused on information concerning leadership and duties of officers, speech writing and the elevator speech, parliamentary procedure, conflict resolution, and a capsule history of the federation.
GFWC of LA State President Angela Cutrera closed the very successful convention on a high note of award presentations, fun games and fund raiser activities.

PLEASE LOG IN FOR PREMIUM CONTENT

Our website requires visitors to log in to view the best local news from Vermilion Parish. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe today!

Follow Us

Site Links

Subscriber Links