Melinda Doolittle KeyNotes GFWC Brentwood Woman's Club Fundraiser

Melinda Doolitte

GFWC Brentwood Woman's Club (BWC) annual Step Up: It's a Charity Affair fundraiser will feature recording artist, Melinda Doolittle, on May 5, 2015. Melinda who became a household name on season six of American Idol continues thrilling audiences with her powerhouse vocals and charm will have dual roles as the club's guest speaker and performer.

In 2013 alone, Melinda was featured on 5 studio albums, including her sophomore release You're The Reason. Her latest album offers listeners a true glimpse into Doolittle as an artist, as she wrote and performed half of the songs on the album. Melinda told the Hollywood Reporter that she approached the album "from the aspect of love. It’s what shapes my life daily. I wanted to be transparent and honest."

BWC's Step Up: It's a Charity Affair fundraiser continues to grow in attendance and has garnered wave reviews throughout Williamson County. The fundraiser supports several endeavors of the club including its educational program. BWC's educational program includes an endowment fund with Columbia State Community College. 

The Club strongly believes the more scholarships it gives, the more the more opportunities others have to make a meaningful contribution to their communities. Education can assist in the goal to end poverty, attain a better job, improve their quality of life and create a better world.

At the annual fundraiser, the community is also introduced to Brentwood's Woman of the Year. Prior honorees have been Linda Lynch, City of Brentwood Community Relations Director; Joyce Keistler, Director of the Martin Center; Susan Leathers, prior Editor and Co-Owner Brentwood Home Page, Franklin Home Page and BrentWord Communications; Linda Jackson, Executive Director of BRIDGES; Nancy Osman, community volunteer and Director of Ty2 Foundation, and  Jennifer Wolcott, community volunteer with the American Red Cross and the Boys Scout.

Step Up: It's a Charity Affair and Brentwood Woman of the Year Luncheon

Tuesday, May 5, 2015.

Silent Auction starts at 10:30. Lunch served at 11:30. 

Brentwood Country Club

5213 Country Club Drive

Brentwood, Tennessee 37207
Tickets $50.00

RSVP: edkathkc1@att.net

More About Brentwood Woman's Club

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is a unifying force, bringing together local women’s clubs, with members dedicated to strengthening their communities and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.  With 100,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen 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.  The Brentwood Woman’s Club has been a chartered member of GFWC for over 40 years.

Dr. Susan H. Edwards to Speak at Brentwood Woman's Club April Meeting

Dr. Susan H. Edwards, Executive Director and CEO of the Frist Center for the Visual Art, will be the Brentwood Woman's Club's guest speaker for their monthly meeting on April 7, 2015. Dr. Edwards will share about leading one of the most dynamic museums in the world and upcoming exhibitions to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.

The Brentwood Library is located at 8109 Concord Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027. The meeting starts at 11:00am promptly. BWC's general meetings are open to the public.

More About Dr. Susan H. Edwards:

Dr. Susan H. Edwards was decorated as a Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters) in a ceremony at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in 2011. The medal was presented by the Consul General of France, Pascal Le Deunff.

Susan H. Edwards is Executive Director and CEO of the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville, Tennessee.  She also originates exhibitions, publishes, and lectures in the areas of modern and contemporary art and photography.  She is the author of Ben Shahn and the Task of Photography in Thirties America as well as articles that have appeared in The History of Photography, The Print Collectors’ Newsletter, and numerous exhibition catalogues.  She serves on the Bogliasco Foundation Advisory Board, Harvard University Art Museums Collections Committee and is an advisor for the Stephen Taller Archive at Harvard University. She is a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors.


More About the Brentwood Woman's Club:

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is a unifying force, bringing together local women’s clubs, with members dedicated to strengthening their communities and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.  With 100,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen 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.  The Brentwood Woman’s Club has been a chartered member of GFWC for over 40 years.

Red Cross Volunteer Named BWC's 2014 Woman of the Year

Jennifer Wolcott has been named the 2014 Brentwood Woman’s Club Woman of the Year.
Jennifer Wolcott was nominated by several members from the non-profit community for her altruistic and generous contributions of time and talents, specifically on behalf of the American Red Cross Natchez Trace Chapter and the Oasis Center.

For five years, the Brentwood Woman’s Club has selected a Brentwood resident, non-member of the club, to honor as their Woman of the Year. Prior honorees have been Linda Lynch, City of Brentwood Community Relations Director; Joyce Keistler, director of the Martin Center; Susan Leathers, editor and co-owner of BrentWord Communications; Linda Jackson, executive director of BRIDGES; and Nancy Osman, community volunteer and Director of Ty2 Foundation.

Joyce Espy Searcy, Director of Community Relations at Belmont University and former CEO of Bethlehem Centers of Nashville, was among those nominating Wolcott for this year’s honor.

"I have watched Jennifer Wolcott from afar give of herself and of her resources to many organizations in Nashville area. I have seen many people volunteer for recognition or to have their names linked with a large organization, but Jennifer volunteers because she is interested in meeting the needs of others and helping to change their quality of life," Searcy said.

Another nominator who spoke highly of Wolcott's volunteer spirit and sees her hands on work in the community up close was John Mitchell, Executive Director of the Red Cross Natchez Trace Chapter.

Natchez Trace Chapter of the Red Cross Board of Directors

Mitchell stated, "Jennifer provides leadership to our chapter through personal giving and also challenges others to give as well. Jennifer has served as our annual breakfast chair for two years. In 2012, our breakfast speaker was Trace Adkins. Due to the success of our breakfast, Trace was elevated to the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet. Trace later raised over 1 million dollars for the American Red Cross on a national level." During the last two years, the Natchez Trace Chapter Red Cross Breakfast attendance has increased to nearly 400 and the giving has increased to over $100,000.

Trace Adkins 2012 Keynote

Coach Franklin 2013 Keynote

Wocott is not limited to fundraising with the Red Cross. She has participated in disaster preparedness drills for the area counties that the Natchez Trace Chapter serves. She recruited her sons', Perry and Parker, Boys Scout Troop and others in the community to participate in the drills. The Middle Tennessee area is becoming more and more aware that the preparedness of a community for a natural or man-made disaster decreases lost of life and property damage.

In addition to her work with the Red Cross, Wolcott is a proud supporter of the Brentwood High School Band where her sons are members, she is very active with the Boy Scouts Troop 86 (Perry is an Eagle Scout), and is a small group host at her church, Harpeth Hills Church of Christ.

Jennifer Wolcott will be honored as part of the Brentwood Woman’s Club’s annual fundraising luncheon, Step Up, It’s a Charity Affair, on May 6, 2014 at Brentwood Country Club. The Brentwood Woman’s Club is celebrating its 40th Anniversary of service to the community this year. 

WSMV's Emmy Award winning meteorologist, Lisa Spencer, will provide musical entertainment.  The  silent auction will begin at 10:30 AM and lunch will be served at 11:30 AM. The club will  recognize it's 40th Anniversary of service by presenting a special gift to Williamson County. This event is open to the public. Seating is limited. Bring a friend and enjoy a “Ladies Day Out”.

Tickets are $50 and can be obtained by contacting Jean Hairston by email, jean.hairston@yahoo.com before deadline date of May 1, 2014.

Brentwood Woman’s Club is a member of the international General Federation of Women’s Clubs that is dedicated to strengthening local communities and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. GFWC members work locally to create global change by supporting the arts, preserving natural resource, advancing education, promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging civic involvement, and working toward world peace and understanding.

2014 BWC's Woman of the Year Committee: Genma Holmes (Chair), Liz Martin (Club President), Paula Uhlir, Marilyn Tolk, and Helen Holzen



Photo Credits: Red Cross, Genma Holmes, Jennifer Wolcott , Lisa Spencer

Unique Christmas Ornaments For Sale to Support College Fund

For the past three years, the Brentwood Woman's Club has offered hand painted Christmas Ornaments by local artist, Lori Wegenka, of local scenes in Brentwood, Tennessee. The beautiful keepsake ornaments are depictions of open green spaces, town structures, and homes that so many residents in the Brentwood area love and treasure. These ornaments will make wonderful gifts for families, friends, and neighbors to enjoy now and years to come.  

The ornaments sold this holiday season will feature two Brentwood icons, The Clock Tower and The Turner Barn. The cost for each ornament is $30 of which $18 is tax-deductible. Money raised from the sale of Lori Wegenka's Christmas Ornaments will support the GFWC Brentwood Woman's Club educational fund for Williamson County residents at Columbia State Community College. For more information or to purchase, contact Mary Phillips at map10@bellsouth.net

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The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is a unifying force, bringing together local women’s clubs, with members dedicated to strengthening their communities and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. With 100,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen 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.

The Brentwood Woman’s Club is celebrating 40 years as a 501(c)3 organization in Williamson County.