Local women’s clubs go over history in service to the community
BY JANA LYNN KILCREASE KILLEEN DAILY HERALDWith a bit of Irish whimsy and touches of green, two longstanding Killeen women’s clubs — the Wednesday Review Club and Modern Study Club — met together Wednesday for some business, a history lesson and a whole lot of camaraderie
Member Terri Gulig from the Modern Study Club recited the Irish Blessing for an invocation which was followed by two beau-
tiful songs by Allen Hollinger, grandson of member Sherry Hollinger. Allen Hollinger sang “My Wild Irish Rose” and “Danny Boy” to which the membership gave an applause.
Introduced by Modern Study Club President Gwendolyn Caviness, Amy McDaniel brought a visual presentation about the rich history of General Federation of Women’s Clubs Daniel is the District President of The General Federation of Women’s Clubs - Capitol District. Both lo-
cal women’s clubs are part of the federation. Founded in 1890, GFWC’s roots can be traced back to 1868 when Jane Cunningham Croly, a professional journalist, attempted to attend a dinner at an all-male press club honoring British novelist Charles Dickens. Croly was denied admittance based upon her gender, and in response, formed a woman’s club called Sorosis. In celebration of Sorosis’ 21st anniversary in 1889, Jane Croly invited women’s
clubs throughout the United States to pursue the cause of federation by attending a convention in New York City. On April 24, 1890, 63 clubs officially formed the General Federation of Women’s Clubs by ratifying the GFWC constitution. From 1910 to 1924, membership in the GFWC went from 1 million to 1.7 million women. Today, membership stands at about 60,000. According McDaniel, the principles of the GFWC, one of
the oldest women’s volunteer organizations, include building global communities where people unite in diversity and dedicate their service to changing lives. “GFWC celebrates the engagement of people of all backgrounds and believes in fostering an inclusive, equitable climate and culture where community members can thrive,” according to McDaniels.
At its inception, the federation
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The General Federation of Women’s Clubs - District President Amy McDaniel brought a presentation to Wednesday’s joint meeting about the history of GFWC.
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worked on many critical social and economic campaigns like the fight against child labor, the passage of the Pure Food an Drug Act in 1906, and support for the eight-hour workday, workplace safety and inspection, workmen’s compensation and prison reform.
In 1921 the GFWC created the Indian Welfare Committee, which worked to improve both
education and health facilities on reservations, as well as preserving Native American culture
Having founded over 474 free public libraries and 4,655 traveling libraries, women’s clubs were credited by the American Library Association with establishing 75 percent of America’s public libraries. Supporting local libraries continues to be a Federation priority today.
In 1934 the GFWC began a 10-year study to review the question of the Equal Rights Amendment. In 1944, GFWC adopted
a resolution in support of the ERA, which the Federation continues to support today
In 1945 GFWC was one of the five women’s organizations chosen to participate in the conference to form the United Nations.
In the 1960s, GFWC promoted “Brighten the Night” a nationwide federation campaign for street lighting to prevent crime and accidents. They held a “Crusade for Seat Belts” program which resulted in the installation of more than one million seat belts over the course of one year.
District President Amy McDaniel, le receives a welcome gi from the Modern Study Club from President Gwendolyn Caviness at Wednesday’s joint club meeting
JANA LYNN KILCREASE | HERALD
With the 1990s, the GFWC actively supported the passage of the Violence Against Women Act; the Americans With Disabilities Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; and legislation supporting handgun control.
McDaniel closed her presentation with some local facts.
The federation has two chapters which meet in Killeen — The Wednesday Review Club, which was founded in 1906 with 12 members, and the Modern Study Club, which was founded in 1952 with 25 members.
Both clubs have a long-standing commitment to aiding local charities and organizations which provide food and clothing for the needy and scholarship funds for graduating seniors. In September, the Modern Study Club and Wednesday Review Club donated more than $1,200 to the Killeen Food Care Center to commemorate the National Day of Service Membership to either of Killeen’s women’s clubs and additional infor mation about what projects GFWC will be working on can be found at gfwc.org.
Killeen High graduate living a life of service
BY JOHN CLARK HERALD CORRESPONDENTThis year’s theme for Women’s History Month is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion,” and that idea meshes perfectly with longtime Killeen resident Angenet Wilkerson’s lifelong passion for community service
“I think service — giving back to others — is a calling. It is something that fulfills me,” the 1987 Killeen High School graduate said. “It really is my passion.”
Wilkerson has lived in Killeen since she was in third grade. Now working as director of district and community relations for the Killeen Independent School District, she was a middle school teacher here from 2000-13, worked for a while for the Education Service Center Region XII, then became a district administrator She and husband, Ernest, a former Killeen city councilman and mayor pro tem now serving on the board of trustees at Central Texas College, have been married 30 years. They have two daughters and a grandson. Angenet says her commitment to service goes back to childhood, watching her mother’s various volunteer efforts.
“My mom was always a church leader, and so I was always involved,” she said. “I cannot think of a time in my life
when I was not doing something. She was my Girl Scouts leader, my Sunday school teacher, and our youth director. Those qualities and habits were instilled in me when I was young.”
These days, Angenet is a member of Liberty Christian Center in Killeen; a founding member of Centex-AABSE (Central Texas Area Alliance of Black School Educators) and Innovation Black Chamber of Commerce; board member for Communities in Schools; a member of Killeen Exchange Club and Rotary; and an inactive member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. During the COVID-19 pandemic she organized a community task force to distribute information and to hand out “Rona bags” filled with hand sanitizer, soap, thermometers, masks, gloves, and other supplies
Her position promoting community relations with KISD has allowed Wilkerson to work with other organizations, as well, such as United Way, Boys & Girls Club, and the YMCA.
“If you ask me what is my hobby, those things are my hobby,” she said. “Right now, something I’m working on in my job that I’m very proud of is the Impact Mentor program. It’s partnering community members with students who are in need of support. Giving one-on-one opportunities to change a life
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As part of of Women’s History Month, the city of Killeen posted a photo of women who work for the Killeen Fire department
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“I’ve been working on it for a long time. It’s something that blesses my heart every time I see community members working with some of our students
“When I was a teacher, one of the things I wanted my students to understand is the importance of service and giving back to their community. We have to remember that service is the greatest resource, and it’s not always about money. Sometimes, it’s the hands-on; the actual doing.
“I remember taking my students to go see families at Thanksgiving. This was before H-E-B Feast of Sharing. We partnered with H-E-B and we’d go to the United Methodist Church when it was downtown and they would open up their building and we would feed the residents downtown. We did a little study on homeless children in America, and, boy, my students wanted to save everyone.”
Regarding the current Women’s History Month theme, Angenet says she agrees wholeheartedly with the idea, but she also cautions that the word “equity,” which means fairness, is not always the same as equal.
The women of Killeen Fire Department
BY JACOB BROOKS KILLEEN DAILY HERALDAs part of of Women’s History Month, a photo shared on the city of Killeen’s Facebook page is getting a lot of attention. The photo shows female firefighters who work for Killeen Fire Department. “It’s #WomensHistoryMonth and we’re celebrating the incredible women of our Killeen Fire Department!,” the city said in the March 11 social-media post, along with the photo “We have 11 women (8 pictured in the photo) who serve as fire-
fighters. They are an integral part of our force of 239 and make a significant impact in saving lives every day. Though a small minority on the force (reflecting the national average in other fire departments) they exemplify dedication and courage every day. Thank you for all you do!”
The Facebook post has generated nearly 500 likes and similar reactions; over 30 comments and nearly 100 shares as of early Saturday
“Amazing photo!! Thank you ladies for your courageous service!,” said one commenter, Paige Matochik Fitzgerald.
“Equity does not mean giving everyone the same thing,” she said. “Equity is identifying what each individual needs and ensuring they get what they need.
“I’ve explained it like this: there was a fire in a duplex (and) one family has a mother, a father and two kids. Both of them are employed and they have insur-
‘When I was a teacher, one of the things I wanted my students to understand is the importance of service and giving back to their community. We have to remember that service is the greatest resource, and it’s not always about money. Sometimes, it’s the hands-on; the actual doing.’Angenet Wilkerson
Angenet Wilkerson has lived in Killeen since she was in third grade.
“The city of Killeen is home for me,” she said.
“Growing up (and) being under my mom’s example of service is what I believe instilled in me the importance of service
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ance. The family next door is a single parent, four kids, and she is working three jobs. People want to come and give them money. Do you give them both $2,500? Or do you give this family $1,500 and the other family $3,500?
“You give based on what they need versus what would be equal.” All her volunteer efforts keep her plenty busy, but Angenet says she would not have it any other way. Helping others has always been and always will be a driving force in her life
“The city of Killeen is home for me,” she said. “Growing up (and) being under my mom’s example of service is what I believe instilled in me the importance of service. I’ve also been
on the receiving end of help, and it was the service of others toward me and my family that triggered me to want to do more
“I love connecting people When I get a call and somebody needs such-and-such, it’s easy for me to say, ‘Oh, OK, well, you need to talk to so-and-so,’ and I believe that’s service, too.”
Finally, Angenet’s message to others — and particularly other women — is this:
“What is that saying, ‘The one who rocks the cradle shapes the world?’” she said. “The mother is the giver of life. Not all women are mothers, but I believe there is a mother in every woman, and I want women to know that they may have a gentle glove on, but their touch is felt.”