Tennessee Federation News Issue June 2003

Wow! What a great Convention we had! Attendees received a very warm welcome to Nashville from Mary Purcell, the mayor’s mother. When one makes such a request of the mayor’s office, you always hope to have “the big cheese” arrive. However, having Mrs. Purcell was even better. She was a great speaker who was very familiar with GFWC as her mother was a member in Ferriday, Louisiana. Additionally, she was very well informed about our Cops and Readers Program having been enlightened by her son, since he was the one who allowed the project to begin.

Mrs. Purcell would be a great keynote speaker at one of our meetings. She taught for many years in the communications department at Temple University and she has served as president of the American Association of University Women and the International Federation of University Women. In that capacity, Mrs. Purcell had the opportunity to become acquainted with our own past International President, Faye Dissinger who is also from Pennsylvania. Perhaps it can be arranged for the mayor’s mom to address us at some time.

Congratulations to every single winner of any kind. You will please forgive your president if she is especially proud of her own club, GFWC Andrew Jackson Centennial, for being the Outstanding General Club with membership of thirty-five or less. She is also extremely proud of GFWC Woman’s Club of Hendersonville and GFWC Stones River Woman’s Club (both from District V) for tying as the Outstanding General Club with membership of thirty-six or more.

District V is the Outstanding District and The Outstanding Club Woman for Generals is Tana Sowell, also from the president’s club. District V had two members, Lillian Massey and Harriett Warren, receive the “Tribute of Honor” award. What President could resist boasting of all of this from her own District? This in no way diminishes the accomplishments of the other winners who are listed elsewhere.

A very special “thank you” goes to Emily Binkley and Tana Sowell for chairing the convention. They did a great job which made the entire event a huge success.

Mattie Mullins, our chaplain, also deserves special thanks for the inspirational thoughts throughout the weekend, but especially for the beautiful memorial service. I have had so many people tell me how touching it was.

It was just so delightful to see enthusiasm reborn as awards were given. Those not in attendance missed a GREAT TIME!