The GFWC Alabama North District meeting was held on Saturday, February 22, in Crossville, AL. Attending from Russellville Book Lovers Study Club were Cheri McCain, Patricia Cox, Gayle McAlister, and Susie Malone.
GFWC Book Lovers Study Club received the 2025 Award of GFWC Alabama North District Recognition and Celebration for “Living the Volunteer Spirit” through our service to those in need, both at home and world over. Accepting the award was Gayle McAlister, GFWC Book Lover’s President.
Cynthia Geis, North District Director, presided over the district meeting. The following GFWC Alabama State Officers were in attendance and presented their reports: State President, Becky Vansant; Caroline Hollowell, AFWC President Elect; Lois Roberts, AFWC Second Vice President; Pam Johnson, AFWC Secretary; and Ellen Clack, AFWC Treasurer.
Cheri McCain, North District Chairman of the GFWC Signature Program on Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention presented a very informative program. She emphasized the need to increase awareness of and help prevent the widespread occurrence of domestic and sexual violence abuse in communities across the nation.
McCain gave information on how to spot the signs of a Human Trafficking victim. As part of her program she prepared a handout that gave examples such as: commercial sex trafficking—a 17 year old runaway meets guy/girl that shelters them; criminal activity victim—gang gets victim on drugs and makes victim steal, rob, murder, or prostitute themselves in exchange for more drugs.
Hope for Justice and GFWC have joined as “A Partnership to Fight Human Trafficking”. Human Trafficking is Modern Day Slavery and an Evil crime. Victims can be any age, race, gender, sex, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, and socioeconomic class.
Hope for Justice investigates and works with law enforcement and other agencies to identify victims, build bridges and trust with the victim and get them safely out of exploitation. Through education and community empowerment, Hope for Justice helps families and vulnerable people protect themselves against deceptive methods. Hope for Justice trains others on the front-line police health, care workers, charities, governments and businesses to make change happen with the signs of modern slavery.
The Hope for Justice’s logo is the Swallow Bird which represents freedom. The bird returns to its nesting place--just as we want to help survivors return to their families. Attendees at the District meeting made their own Hope for Justice Swallow using origami paper. Members were encouraged to post a picture on social media to raise awareness and write a note of hope or a prayer on their bird to be delivered to a survivor. If you suspect a human trafficking case do not intervene directly! Report it immediately to a local or federal law enforcement agency.
For the District’s project club members donated non-perishable food items for the Food Pantry. A silent auction raised $544 for District Scholarship.
