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The GFWC/Dexter Women's Literary Club is a group of women from and around the Dexter area who join together for fellowship and volunteer their time to help build, serve, and improve the Dexter community. From providing scholarships, planting flowers at the Welcome To Dexter sign, making curtains for the Historical Society, to providing interesting speakers at our regular meetings, we do it all!

The GFWC/Dexter Women's Literary Club is a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs and the Maine Federation of Women's Clubs. Our club was formed on May 6, 1880 and became federated on July 12, 1892. We are the oldest federated woman's club in the entire state of Maine! We are proud of that title and encourage any woman who is interested in volunteering her time and making new friends, to contact President Laura Neal at 876-3388. For more information about the Maine and General Federation of Women's Clubs, please visit www.gfwcmaine.org or www.gfwc.org.

On May 20, 2008, 5 members of the GFWC/Dexter Women's Literary Club received their 25 year silver pins. From left to right are: Joanne Prescott (a 28 year member), Idyllene Warren (a 27 year member), Connie Crosby (a 26 year member), Peggy Kaufman (a 25 year member), and Shirley Luce (a 25 year member). Not present to receive their pins were Marguerite Sherburne (a 27 year member), and Winnifred Crocker (a 25 year member).

This year marks the 85th anniversary of the GFWC (General Federation of Women's Clubs) Newport Women's Club, which was federated in 1922. The Newport chapter of the GFWC often partners with other local groups to help make a greater positive impact in the community through a unified effort.

The General Federation of Women's Clubs, one of the world's largest and oldest nonpartisan, nondenominational, women's volunteer service organizations, was founded in 1890 and chartered by the 56th United States Congress in 1901. Headquartered in a National Historic Landmark building in Washington, D.C., GFWC has a long history of philanthropy, social and political advocacy, and community leadership. More than 100,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries work in their own communities to support the arts, preserve natural resources, advance education, promote healthy lifestyles, encourage civic involvement, and work toward world peace and understanding.

In 2006, GFWC and its members raised nearly $32 million on behalf of more than 230,000 projects, and volunteered more than 8.4 million hours. Since it was founded more than 117 years ago, the organization has been a unifying force, bringing together local women's clubs from around the country and throughout the world. Although there is considerable diversity in the ages, interests, and experiences of GFWC club women, all are united by a dedication to community improvement through volunteer service.

Accomplishments during GFWC's first century include: establishing 75 percent of the country's public libraries, developing kindergartens in the public schools, and working for food and drug regulation. During its second century, the Federation has pledged to maintain its commitment to working for a better world. With "Unity in Diversity" as its motto and a strong umbrella of programs that clubs may adapt to suit the needs of their communities, GFWC encourages the flexibility that has enabled it to expand its reach in a rapidly changing society.

Visit www.gfwc.org for additional information regarding the General Federation of Women's Clubs. To learn more about the local GFWC Newport Women's Club contact Dolly at 938-2405.