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During the GFWC Western Fairfax County Woman’s Club meeting on May 20, former GFWC Virginia Northern District President Mary Driver-Downs installed the club’s newly elected officers for 2024-2025. The new officers are Karen Johnston, president; Lynn Green, 1st Vice President; Mary Jane Hasselkus, 2nd Vice President; Marion Brown, treasurer; and Regina Meade, secretary. Marion and Mary Jane (better known as MJ) are Greenbriar residents, and Marion also serves as District 2B Representative on the Greenbriar Civic Association’s board of directors.

Mary, a member of the Woman’s Club of Fairfax, was an ideal choice to conduct the installation as she has a special connection to Greenbriar. Her father, D.J. Driver, became the principal of Greenbriar Elementary School (which later became Greenbriar East Elementary School) when it opened in the fall of 1968. He served as principal for 13 years, and Mary attended first through sixth grades at the school.

Also during the May meeting, the club congratulated five creative members who won blue ribbons (first place) in the GFWC Virginia arts and crafts contest during the State Convention in Harrisonburg, Virginia, the weekend of April 20- 21: Carmen Bedregal in the Crochet — Apparel category; Shirley Cutright in the Quilts — Multicolor Patchwork category; Molly Ferrara in the Quilts — String category; Vicki Gaboury in the Crafts — Miscellaneous category; and Gloria Nalls in the Visual Arts — Black and White Pencil Drawing category. Molly also won first place in the Needlework Division and Best in Show for her string quilt.

During the Chantilly High School Convocation on May 22, WFCWC awarded a $3,000 scholarship to CHS senior Abhigna Koochana, who will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall. WFCWC is an ardent supporter of education, community involvement and volunteerism — attributes that stood out in our scholarship winner. The club was pleased to award the Lois C. Howe Memorial Scholarship, which is named in honor of one of our founding members who was instrumental in initiating the club’s scholarship awards 30 years ago, to Abhigna.

Abhigna is an AP Scholar with Honor and received a National Merit Letter of Commendation, a DECA State Award, and a Volunteer Award from Manabadi (language school). She was an editor for the school newspaper, participated in the Red Cross Club, served as vice president of the National English Honor Society, was a tutor for the National Science Honor Society, and participated in the Math Honor Society and the National Honor Society. She had a chemistry internship, served as a teacher’s assistant for Manabadi and as a director of ambassadors for Dear Fellow Students (a youth mental health organization). Abhigna plans to major in biomedical engineering and design at Virginia Tech and hopes to use the expertise she gains to improve the medical device industry for low-income countries.

WFCWC has awarded $81,000 in scholarships to CHS senior girls since 1995. We thank this year’s Scholarship Committee Chair Kathy Hunt and those who served on the committee, including Lori Barnes, Terry Hendrickson, Jane Marshall, Regina Meade, Brenda Petitt, Kathy Sparks and Camille Wurm, who evaluated the scholarship applicants based on their academic achievements, service to the community and future goals. WFCWC congratulates Abhigna and wishes her the absolute best in her future endeavors.

WFCWC is affiliated with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, a unifying force bringing together local women’s clubs with members dedicated to strengthening their communities and enhancing the lives of others through community service. With 60,000 members in affiliate clubs in every state, the District of Columbia and several countries, GFWC members are community leaders who work locally to create global change by supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, advancing education, promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging civic involvement, and working toward world peace and understanding. For more information, please visit www.GFWC.org.

WFCWC is a vibrant group of women who make a difference in their communities by volunteering their time and talents to a variety of organizations. In addition to our volunteer activities, we schedule interesting programs at our monthly membership meetings from September through May and hold social events throughout the year, including two monthly lunch bunches, an afternoon tea in June, a potluck supper in August, and a holiday luncheon in December. Guests are always welcome to attend our programs and social events. If you are looking for connections to your community, interested in making new friends, and ready to have fun, check out our website at www.wfcwc.org or call Mary Jane Hasselkus at 703-378-4250.