About Us
Mission
Through friendship and social interaction the Dedham Junior Woman's Club works to encourage its members to be active volunteers in the community through a variety of projects.
Club History
In 1979, a young woman named Karen Baker moved to Dedham with her husband and two children. She had left many friends in the Junior Woman's Club in Billerica and was eager to get involved in a similar group in Dedham. When there was nothing beyond church and military organizations for women, she decided to start a club in Dedham. She gathered a few friends and planned a public meeting at the Endicott Estate.
Judy Massey, a fellow founding member, recalls "since I was the only woman with a pen in my purse, I became the Recording Secretary. I wrote on a piece of cardboard, because no one had brought a pad of paper.
Over the years the club came up with many ways to raise awareness and funds to promote our work. For our very first fundraiser, we sold macrame Christmas ornaments at a table in the Dedham Mall and later that club year we were thrilled to make $300 with a February fashion show. Over the years we published cookbooks, ran Las Vegas nights, held family game nights in the Community House field, held many yard sales, ran babysitting courses, learned about domestic violence issues by helping DOVE, helped at the library story hours, hosted breakfast with Santa, marched in many Flag Day Parades, baked treats for Meals on Wheels, and assisted local authorities with child identification fingerprinting. In the spirit of those macrame moments, we continue to raise funds for scholarships and other donations via handmade crafts in our juried Craft Show now entering its30th year!
Best of all are all the personal connections we have all made over the years. This organization is part of the network that keeps our community connected. In 2009, Judy and fellow founding members, Jeanette Evans and Abby Bragg, are the only three who remain active and involved with the club from the club's early days. They continue to inspire us with their enthusiasm and leadership. It is with pride that we continue the work started by Karen in our community 30 years ago.
Judy Massey, a fellow founding member, recalls "since I was the only woman with a pen in my purse, I became the Recording Secretary. I wrote on a piece of cardboard, because no one had brought a pad of paper.
Over the years the club came up with many ways to raise awareness and funds to promote our work. For our very first fundraiser, we sold macrame Christmas ornaments at a table in the Dedham Mall and later that club year we were thrilled to make $300 with a February fashion show. Over the years we published cookbooks, ran Las Vegas nights, held family game nights in the Community House field, held many yard sales, ran babysitting courses, learned about domestic violence issues by helping DOVE, helped at the library story hours, hosted breakfast with Santa, marched in many Flag Day Parades, baked treats for Meals on Wheels, and assisted local authorities with child identification fingerprinting. In the spirit of those macrame moments, we continue to raise funds for scholarships and other donations via handmade crafts in our juried Craft Show now entering its30th year!
Best of all are all the personal connections we have all made over the years. This organization is part of the network that keeps our community connected. In 2009, Judy and fellow founding members, Jeanette Evans and Abby Bragg, are the only three who remain active and involved with the club from the club's early days. They continue to inspire us with their enthusiasm and leadership. It is with pride that we continue the work started by Karen in our community 30 years ago.
Recognition and Awards
The Dedham Junior Woman's Club has received many awards and accolades since its inception. Below are just a few examples. Our club historians are currently gathering awards data for each year of our club's existence. Check back frequently for updates.
MA Junior Membership Programs and Activities Contest: Best Large Club
Awarded in 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004
Special Recognition
The club reporting the highest number of new members gained during Membership Month of October, 2009, with 11 new members.
President’s Recognition Certificate for report-writing, and a Citation for contributing to MassStar, (Massachusetts Youth Leadership Foundation).
TheBarbara S. Baker Director’s Award, an inscribed silver tray presented at the discretion of the Director of Junior Clubs, Donna Shibley, for our outstanding work reflected in the many reports we submitted for the 2009 club year.
The Marilyn Perry Leadership Award: GFWC of Massachusetts Junior Membership
This award is given to a Junior clubwoman who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities and abilities, and uses them to benefit both her GFWC club and her community. She is an active leader in community organizations and/or projects while maintaining positions of leadership with GFWC or within her GFWC club. Please note: The Marilyn Perry Leadership Award focuses on clubwomen who take their leadership skills beyond their club and use those skills in the community-at-large. It is an award recognizing leadership in general - not just within a club or GFWC."
State Winners:
Awarded in 2008 to Cherylann Sheehan
Awarded in 2007 to Jean Lyons-Martens
Awarded in 2004 to Tricia Girouard
Awarded in 2002 to Lorraine Butler
Martha Michalewich Clubwoman of the Year Award
This award goes to the clubwoman who has gone above the call of duty for her club. She is the clubwoman who almost always says yes, takes on the roles both as a follower and leader, represents her club in the most positive light and always promotes the club and its activites. Unlike the Marilyn Perry Leadership Award, this award recognizes work done with and for the club."
State Winners:
MA Junior Membership Programs and Activities Contest: Best Large Club
Awarded in 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004
Special Recognition
The club reporting the highest number of new members gained during Membership Month of October, 2009, with 11 new members.
President’s Recognition Certificate for report-writing, and a Citation for contributing to MassStar, (Massachusetts Youth Leadership Foundation).
TheBarbara S. Baker Director’s Award, an inscribed silver tray presented at the discretion of the Director of Junior Clubs, Donna Shibley, for our outstanding work reflected in the many reports we submitted for the 2009 club year.
The Marilyn Perry Leadership Award: GFWC of Massachusetts Junior Membership
This award is given to a Junior clubwoman who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities and abilities, and uses them to benefit both her GFWC club and her community. She is an active leader in community organizations and/or projects while maintaining positions of leadership with GFWC or within her GFWC club. Please note: The Marilyn Perry Leadership Award focuses on clubwomen who take their leadership skills beyond their club and use those skills in the community-at-large. It is an award recognizing leadership in general - not just within a club or GFWC."
State Winners:
Awarded in 2008 to Cherylann Sheehan
Awarded in 2007 to Jean Lyons-Martens
Awarded in 2004 to Tricia Girouard
Awarded in 2002 to Lorraine Butler
Martha Michalewich Clubwoman of the Year Award
This award goes to the clubwoman who has gone above the call of duty for her club. She is the clubwoman who almost always says yes, takes on the roles both as a follower and leader, represents her club in the most positive light and always promotes the club and its activites. Unlike the Marilyn Perry Leadership Award, this award recognizes work done with and for the club."
State Winners:
Awarded in 2009 to Mara Gorden
Awarded in 2011 to Elaine Mellen