Bill Text: VA SJR255 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Herndon Woman's Club.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-07 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ255ER) [SJR255 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-SJR255-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, for 80 years, the Herndon Woman's Club has provided opportunities for women to volunteer their time and talents as servant leaders in the community; and
WHEREAS, the Herndon Woman's Club traces its roots to 1939, when M.J. Willis, chair of the Virginia Federation of Junior Women's Clubs, met with 18 local women for the purpose of organizing a club; and
WHEREAS, in 1940, the Herndon Woman's Club was established as a chapter of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, the oldest and largest such organization, and was originally known as the Young Women's Club of Herndon as all of its members were age 25 or younger; and
WHEREAS, in the beginning, the Herndon Woman's Club assisted other clubs and organizations with service projects in the community, including work at the local library and in local schools; and
WHEREAS, during World War II, the Herndon Woman's Club supported the war effort by making surgical dressings for the American Red Cross and lifted the spirits of women affected by the war by sending wedding dresses to England; and
WHEREAS, in 1947, the Herndon Woman's Club established a safe place for local youths to meet and socialize, with club members serving as chaperones; the organization has also fulfilled the mission of the General Federation of Women's Clubs to prevent and address violence against women by supporting a shelter for survivors of domestic abuse; and
WHEREAS, the Herndon Woman's Club continued to expand in numbers, outgrowing its meeting place at a local Episcopal church, and raised money for an addition to the Herndon Fortnightly Club Library, where the club relocated in the 1950s; and
WHEREAS, in 1963, the Herndon Woman's Club held a ball to raise funds for a scholarship for a Herndon High School graduate, and the event has become an ongoing facet of the club's outreach efforts; the club has also supported students by helping to conduct a water study project and holding vision screenings in schools; and
WHEREAS, the Herndon Woman's Club joined with the Herndon Parks and Recreation Department in the 1980s to host an antiques show that became a popular fundraiser to support local organizations; and
WHEREAS, the Herndon Woman's Club is organized into six departments to most effectively meet its community service goals in support of the arts, conservation, education, home life, international outreach, and public issues; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, the members of the Herndon Woman's Club have provided more than 10,000 volunteer hours in support of local charitable organizations and worthy causes, and the club began 2020 with 78 active members who were prepared to carry on its proud traditions of civic engagement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Herndon Woman's Club on the occasion of its 80th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Herndon Woman's Club as an expression of the General Assembly's congratulations and admiration for the organization's legacy of service to women and contributions to the entire Herndon community.
