GFWC Ohio’s President’s Message
Dear GFWC Ohio Club Women,
I would like to thank you for the honor of becoming GFWC Ohio President. I would also like
to thank the Northeast District, Boardman Poland Jr. Women’s League and GFWC Internet Service
Providers for all of their support and encouragement thru the years. This is an exciting time for the
General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Changes will be made but who knows what great things are
in the future. I believe in the tradition, continuity and Mission of GFWC Ohio but to continue we
need to evolve and I know each and every one of you will come up with great ideas on how this can
be accomplished. There is a saying, that “nothing is consistent but change.” In all of our lives, I
believe we have found this to be true. Changes will always happen, both planned and unexpected...
If there’s one thing organizations require today its leaders who are willing and capable of
encouraging their members to view change as an opportunity to gain a true understanding of their
capabilities to overcome the challenges they’ll undoubtedly face in today’s faster-paced and
evolving world. Now is certainly a time of change. Consider for example, the changes we have
witnessed over the last two years. Two years ago, I didn’t even know what zoom was even making
a conference call was even kind of foreign to me, during Covid zoom became a way to stay in touch
and see other people outside of your household and stay sane! Doing Zoom meetings has now
become very routine and cost-efficient way for organizations to meet and will be utilized more in
the future. Yes, a lot has changed in the world over the last two years, but a lot has also changed in
our clubs as well. Two years ago, you had to think of new ways to hold meetings, Fund Raise, hold
contactless events and still be a vital part of you communities, and you did it! So all of you have
made changes to adapt to new protocols who knew we would all be running around masked and
gloved and think it was “normal” You held onto your friendships you kept your clubs together, you
had fun and you made an impact on your community. You are a group of dedicated and amazing
women and I am so proud of all of you!
My theme for this administration will be “Bee the One Bee the Change” with a focus on the
environment and membership. For the President’s Special Emphasis, I am asking all of you to step
outside the box go outside of your comfort zone and try something new and exciting to increase
your membership or improve the environment.
Yes, this will be more challenging, but the challenges you experienced during the last two years
has shown you what you’re capable of.
The President’s Special project will be to raise money to donate to New Life K9’s an
organization that trains service dogs that are then donated to a Vets. This organization utilizes
inmates in the local prison to train the dogs. It cost up to $10,000.00 a year for each puppy/dog to
be cared for, trained and have Veterinary care. My goal is to be able to donate at least one dog to a
Women Vet for emotional support.
No one who knows anything about me and knows how I love gardening will be surprise to see
that I have chosen a Bee as symbol on my pin. The bee symbol is commonly associated with life,
creativity, hard work, community, success, prosperity, and abundance. The easygoing but
purposeful energy that manages to get things done. I think this pretty much represents all of our
hardworking members. Surrounding the Bee is a Circle of Daffodil The daffodil symbolizes rebirth
and new beginnings. It symbolizes creativity and renewal. To me it represents all of us coming out
of this Pandemic and renewing our dedication to GFWC Ohio it is also OFWC State Flower.
Diamonds symbolize love and commitment. And while I wish I could have put Diamonds in my
pin instead I have two Gemstones for the eyes of the Bee to Symbolize the Love and Commitment
we all have for Federation. Also on my pin is the GFWC Emblem the Symbol of all clubwomen.
I want to say Thank-you to the 2022-2024 Board and State Chairmen who said Yes when they
were asked to volunteer. We have wonderful group of Women and I am looking forward to working
with them.
William Shakespeare said that “A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where
you have been, accepts what you have become, and still gently allows you to grow”
I want to thank all of the Woman who have helped me along the way. We are so very Blessed to
have among us so many Strong and Knowledgeable Woman who so generously share their
knowledge. I thank each and every one of them for being there and helping me on my journey.
I would like to Thank my Family my Husband Carl Ford, my son Michael, my daughter
Christina and who is a member of Boardman Poland Junior League and my son-in–law Tristan
Ross. All of them have supported me thru the years and participated in many Junior League
projects. Thank-you to them for that support.
I thank-you for the opportunity and Privilege to serve as GFWC Ohio 63 rd President never in my
wildest dreams when I started this journey thru federation did, I think that one day I would be given
this great honor.
In Federation Friendship and Love,
Yvonne Ford
2022-2024 GFWC Ohio President
“And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. One moment at a time.”
― Libba Bray, The Sweet Far Thing
