[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 95 (Friday, June 3, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING DOMINION WOMAN'S CLUB

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JENNIFER WEXTON

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 3, 2022

  Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I am honored to use this time to recognize 
the 15th anniversary of the General Federation of Women's Clubs 
Dominion Woman's Club (DWC) in Virginia's 10th District. The DWC is a 
volunteer organization in Prince William and Fauquier Counties that is 
dedicated to improving our community by advocating for critical issues 
and providing volunteer services. Some of the DWC's work has involved 
supporting our schools and libraries, meeting the needs of the 
underserved, calling attention to the problems of child and domestic 
abuse, and working to promote conservation through volunteer service.
  The DWC was founded in 2007 under the guidance of the General 
Federation of Women's Clubs of Virginia (GFWC-VA). The GFWC-VA, founded 
in 1890, focuses on promoting culture and education, increasing 
domestic abuse awareness, and establishing smaller, local clubs across 
Virginia. The DWC's first President was Nanette McKeel Petrella, and 
many current members credit the club's early success to her leadership 
and vision.
  Today, the DWC supports a wide variety of organizations and groups 
across Prince William and Fauquier Counties, including Bull Run 
Mountain Conservancy, Leopold's Preserve, the Haymarket Regional Food 
Pantry, PACE West School, Suella Gilbert Ellis Elementary, Gravely 
Elementary, Friends of Homeless Animals and more. The members of the 
club come from a variety of backgrounds, including teachers, 
counselors, professional women, moms, and women involved in various 
communal volunteer organizations. While their levels of participation 
and interests may vary, each member shares the common goal of 
empowering one another through community service.
  The club's current board, led by President Martha Feeney, has done an 
admirable job of guiding the club during the COVID-19 pandemic. She 
implemented creative methods to navigate remote outreach and ensured 
that the club's community impact remained resilient. Under their 
leadership in 2021, the club participated in 42 volunteer programs, 
contributed 4,734 volunteer hours, and donated over $20,000, including 
in-kind donations, to fund their community outreaches.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
GFWC Dominion Woman's Club for its steadfast commitment to serving our 
community for the past 15 years. I wish the women of this entire 
organization all the best in their future endeavors and commend their 
desire to ``be the change that you wish to see.''

                          ____________________