Events and Photos | brunswickwomansclub

November 2022

Kathleen Orians Dawson, President of the Brunswick Woman's Club, will participate in the American Cancer Society 23rd Annual Cancer Fashion Show and Luncheon. She met with other models for the event, which will take place February 11 at Sea Palms Resort on Saint Simons Island.

September 2022

Members of the Brunswick Woman's Club were awarded with certificates from this year's convention by GFWC Georgia and were recognized by Brunswick's Mayor in historic downtown Brunswick.

Clara Fiveash, longtime member of the Brunswick Woman's Club, was honored for 50 years of service. President Kathleen Orians Dawson presented Clara with a pin and Certificate of Recognition.

May 2022

Tallulah Falls students visit St. Simons Island.

November 2021

Peggy Tuten, who is a nurse and veteran and chairman of the GFWC Civic Engagement and Outreach Program was presented with a beautiful quilt by Quilts of Valor.

October 2021

October 2021 Brunswick News Article

The Brunswick News featured recent Glynn Academy graduate Sali Boyers receiving an award and check for $250 for her chalk pastel artwork "Scarlet Vanitas", which earned 1st place in the statewide art competition sponsored by the Georgia Federation of Woman's Clubs. Pictured here from left to right are art chair Gail Cowan, artist Sali, her mother Brandi and Brunswick Woman's Club President Pat Porto.

July 2021

2021 GFWC Georgia

The 2021 GWFC Georgia convention was held in Savannah at the Embassy Suites June 11-13. Attendees at the convention were Hilda, Penny, Pat, Jan and and Kathleen. Not pictured are Gail and Jeanette.

IApril 2021

District Meeting

The Brunswick Woman's Club was named Best Overall Club in the Under 25 Member Category as well as awards to each of the Committee Service Projects.

February 2021

Brunswick Woman's Club New Officers and Outgoing Officers

The Brunswick Woman's Club recently inducted new members and appointed new officers.

Pictured on the front row are Kathleen Orians Dawson (Treasurer and Education Libraries Chair) Hilda Hagarty (South East District President), Penny Smith (Parliamentarian) and Jan Oglesby (new member).

On the back row are Vicky Jefferis (Recording Secretary), Sheila Ledford (Health and Wellness Chair), Pat Porto (President-Elect and Public Relations Chair), Peggy Tuten (Civic Engagement and Outreach Chair), Jeanette Pewitt (new member and Scrapbook Editor), Kay Taylor (new member) and Lillie Smith (Environment Chair and Corresponding Secretary).

Not pictured are Joyce Scribner (First Vice-President), Patty Hosea (Second Vice-President), Gail Cowan (Arts Chair), Clara Fiveash, Joni Bennett, Olivia Holland, Chris Shannon, Terry Michaud, and Angel Porch.

Brunswick Woman's Club Members working with Members of the House of Hope Organization

Brunswick News Article

The Brunswick News featured the Brunswick Woman's Club's Gail Cowan presenting a check to the band directors from Glynn Academy and Brunswick High School to refurbish instruments.

October 2020

Morningstar Day of Service

ILillie Steele, chairman of the Health and Wellness Community Service Program, presents a check to our October speaker from Saved By Grace, Maria Gamble.

February 2020

Congratulations to STAR Students and Teachers from the Brunswick Woman's Club!

January 2019

May 2018 Meeting

The May meeting is the last meeting of the season. The purpose is to honor past presidents and to induct new members. Our newest member, Vicky Jefferis, is welcomed to our membership by Pat Porto and long-time member Clara Fiveash.

March 2018 Meeting

The guest speaker for our March meeting was Jimmy Franklin, the Dean of Students for the Tallulah Falls School. Jimmy updated us on accomplishments and activities of the school and entertained us with stories from a very eventful year for the school, which included a visit from Hurricane Irma, the eclipse event, and recovery from flooding of the boys dormitory. Jimmy will return again next month for the annual visit of the TFS 8th Graders.

February 2018 Meeting

For our February meeting, our Arts CSP chair Liz Richardson brought materials for a crafts project that each member could create and take home. Liz gave a demonstration, and we all got to create a decorative and useful candle holder complete with an LED light!

January 2018 Meeting

The guest speaker for our first meeting of the new year was Lea King-Badyna, Executive Director of Keep the Golden Isles Beautiful (KGIB). Lea gave us an overview of the mission and responsiblities of KGIB and gave a detailed presentation on recycling with a question and answer session. A check from the Brunswick Woman's Club was presented to support KGIB's work in the Golden Isles.

December 2017 Meeting

The December meeting celebrated the Christmas holidays with music provided by the flute players from the Brunswick High School band. The band directors from two local high schools (John Birge from Brunswick High School and Chris Duke from Glynn Academy) were presented with checks for $500.00 each to refurbish band instruments. Our newest member, Sharon Fraind, was welcomed in an initiation ceremony by Pat Porto and Kathleen Orians Dawson.

November 2017 Meeting

Our November meeting celebrated Veteran's Day with a speaker who is the author of a World War II memoir "Love, Honor and Cherish: The True World War II Story of a Screaming Eagle and a Courageous Woman", Sandra Bonilla, and her editor Judy Brooks. Sandra brought in a variety of memorabilia from the World War II era and read excerpts from her book. Members of the club also spoke about family who served in World War II. Our collection basket funds from this meeting went to Honor Flight of Coastal Georgia.

October 2017 Meeting

Our September meeting was cancelled because of Hurricane Irma. The speaker for the October meeting, Anne Jones, was unable to attend the meeting but sent some gifts to the club, which were presented by Peggy Tuten. Peggy also interviewed two long-time members, Clara Fiveash and Pauline Carson about the history of the Brunswick Woman's Club. Barbara Harrison was recognized for ten years of membership in the club, and Penny Smith was recognized for receiving the Jennie Award.

May 2017 Meeting

Our May meeting honored past Presidents of the Brunswick Woman's Club and celebrated our 95th year in the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Before the meeting, Mayor Cornell Harvey met with members of the club on the Brunswick courthouse steps and presented a proclamation to the club proclaiming May 10, 2017, as GFWC Brunswick Woman's Club Day in the City of Brunswick, Georgia.

April 2017 Meeting

The speaker for our April meeting was Mary Lynch from Helping Hugs for Haiti giving a presentation on the mission of the organization in Haiti and the work they do.

April 2017 Activities

We were fortunate to have students from the Tallulah Falls School visiting the Golden Isles again this year with the Dean of Students, Jimmy Franklin. They stayed in condos on St. Simons Island and visited the port in Brunswick and the MAP facility in Brunswick.

March 2017 Meeting

Our guest speaker for the the March 2017 meeting was Kelly Patton, the Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator for the One Hundred Miles organization. Kelly talked about the work and accomplishments of the organization, as well as volunteer opportunities. A number of the Brunswick Woman's Club members have participated in volunteer activities for events sponsored by One Hundred Miles.

February 2017 Activities

Six members of the Brunswick Woman's Club participated in four events sponsored by Keep the Golden Isles Beautiful (KGIB). KGIB commissioned a Myrtle Beach artist to create a group of metal and wire sculptures to contain a variety of recyclable items commonly found on beaches and in recreation areas. These art sculptures were erected at park locations in the Golden Isles to bring attention to the importance of recycling.

February 2017 Meeting

Jimmy Franklin, Dean of Students at Tallulah Falls School, was our speaker,and our guests were a Brunswick High School art student, Madison Forde, and her Mom and her teacher, Joan Nichols. Jimmy brought us up-to-date with all that has been happening at Tallulah Falls School. The art entry created by Madison Forde for our district and state competition was displayed with a description of the inspiration for the painting.

January 2017 Meeting

Our speaker for this month was Charmaine Thomas from Amity House, and she addressed the subject of domestic violence. Peggy Tuten presented her with a check to help with needed supplies for Amity House operations.

December 2016

Christmas music was provided by a flute ensemble from Brunswick High School, and we welcomed new members to the Brunswick Woman's Club in an initiation ceremony at the conclusion of our meeting.

November 2016

Our speakers for November were from Coastal Georgia Honor Flight Inc., which helps veterans realize the dream of seeing their national memorial.

October 2016 Meeting cancelled after mandatory evacuation for Glynn County issued because of Hurricane Matthew.

October Activities

Three members of the Brunswick Woman's Club participated in the 2016 Coast Fest in the One Hundred Miles booth's activities, helping children make marsh hats and spinning the wheel to answer quiz questions on local environmental activites.

Our adopted sea turtle Bell continues to do well at the turtle center while waiting to be released probably next year when the weather warms up.

September 2016

Our guest speaker for the September meeting, Patt Whitmore, executive Director of Memory Matters, was introduced by Gail Cowan and spoke to the group about the work the Memory Matters organization does with Alzheimers patients and their families. A check was presented to the organization by the Brunswick Woman's Club.

Summer 2016 Activities

Our new President Hilda Hagarty and the new Public Issues department leader, Angel Porch, and the outgoing Public Issues department leader, Pat Porto, organized a group from the Brunswick Woman's Club to attend a naturalization ceremony at the courthouse May 20, 2016, and present each of the new citizens with a flag and plaque. A reception was held afterward to meet the new citizens.

May 2016 Meeting

The purpose of our May meeting is to honor past Presidents and to swear in our new President and officers for the Brunswick Woman's Club. Our guest speaker was Kathryn Youles, President of the Southeastern District.

April 2016 Meeting

The two speakers for our April meeting were Val Crumpton from the International Seafarers Center and Louisa Nightingale from hello Goodbuy. Val discussed the assistance provided to seafarers visiting our Brunswick port and described some of the activities going on at the port and the work of the staff and volunteers. Louisa Nightingale gave us an overview and history of the hello Goodbuy thrift shop, which is operated by St. Mark's Episcopal church. The new expanded thrift shop re-opened recently and donates all profits after expenses to the Brunswick community.

March 2016 Meeting

Our March meeting guests were Maria Lugue, who is running for reelection as Solicitor-General, Mackenzee Williams from Damsel in Defense, and art students Keeley Duke and Madison Forde from Brunswick High School and their teacher, Joan Nichols. Maria spoke to us about the upcoming election, the students presented some of their artwork, and Mackenzee demonstrated some of the self defense equipment available from the Damsel in Defense organization.

We all enjoyed lunch at our new meeting site at the Golden Corral!

February 2016 Meeting

Our guest speakers for February were Jimmy Franklin from the Tallulah Falls School and John Birge, band director from Brunswick High School. Artwork entries from our club members were on display and will be sent to the district and state competitions.

We are very proud of our Tallulah Falls School and always look forward to Jimmy's visit and updates. We are also happy to donate checks to Jimmy for Tallulah Falls School and to our band directors from Brunswick High School and Glynn Academy to help refurbish instruments for the band members.

January 2016 Meeting

Our speaker for the January meeting was Nicki Pinnell from the Education Department at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island. Nicki talked to the group about our adopted turtle Bell and the work the Education Department does at the Turtle Center to rehabilitate turtles and return them to the sea.

December 2015 Meeting

Annie Akins entertained us with Christmas music and led us in carol singing!

November 2015 Meeting

The November meeting celebrated Veterans Day with speaker Gail Owen who is currently with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and has had a military career of over 33 years in the Navy and Coast Guard. Peggy Tuten, a Woman's Club member and military veteran was also recognized.

October 2015 Meeting

Kathleen Dawson presented the Arts Department's guest speaker, Susan Ryles, the new executive director of Glynn Visual Arts. Susan spoke to the club about upcoming events and classes offered by Glynn Arts. She also handed out brochures detailing activities and future plans for Glynn Visual Arts.

Kathleen brought a photo of the bra that was decorated by Vickie Monti, Pat Porto and Kathleen for the contest being sponsored by the Southeast Georgia Health System to benefit breast cancer research.

October 2015 Events

Representatives from the Brunswick Women’s Club presented a donation to the organizers of the Heritage Oaks Golf Club for Wounded Warriors golf tournament. All proceeds from this fundraiser, which was held on Friday, October 2nd at the Heritage Oaks Golf Club, go to the Wounded Warrior Project. The organizers of the event are themselves veterans that were wounded while serving our country. Shown here are U.S. Army Ranger Tom Crabill (served 8 years, wounded in Honduras): Kathleen Orians Dawson, International Issues Chairman and Pat Porto, Public Issues Chairman, Brunswick Women’s Club; U.S. Army Major Kirk Rothe (served 21 years with three tours in Afghanistan – wounded in combat operations)

May 2015 Meeting

The May meeting was dedicated to honoring past presidents of the Brunswick Woman's Club. Guests were Sandi Quattlebaum and Delores Magoon from the Woodbine Woman's Club. Past presidents in attendance were Betty McGregor, Edna Boggan, Ernestine Langford, Elaine Johnson and Penny Smith.

April 2015 Meeting

Our speakers for the April meeting were Kip Branch from MAP International and Christie Seeman, a volunteer teacher at CB Greer Elementary. Kip gave us an overview of MAP's activities to provide medical assistance throughout the world, and Christie updated us on the art program at CB Greer. Each of our speakers were presented with donations from our club to help them continue their work.

March 2015 Meeting

Arts Department - Elaine introduces art students from BHS and Glynn Academy and they present their artwork.

January Meeting 2015

Cathy Lent, Volunteer Coordinator for the Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia, with Vice President Elaine Johnson. Cathy gave us a verbal tour of the HSSCG facility and the work the staff and volunteers do.

February Meeting 2015

Jimmy Franklin, Dean of Students at Tallulah Falls School with BWC President Penny Smith. Jimmy was our February speaker, updating the club on the latest news from TFS.