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GFWC hosts district clubs at lakeside venue in Esky

By R. R. Branstrom 3 min read

ESCANABA -- The local chapter of a worldwide organization hosted members from other affiliated clubs throughout the Upper Peninsula for a get-together at the Escanaba Yacht Club last week, followed by the annual district meeting.

Founded in 1890, the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) is a volunteer organization that aims to improve communities and enhance the lives of people in their respective areas. Escanaba’s branch has operated since 1913.

“With more than 60,000 members in affiliated clubs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members work in their communities to support the arts, preserve natural resources, advance education, promote healthy lifestyles, and encourage civic involvement,” states gfwc.org.

The local chapter of the GFWC raises funds and supplies for Bay Cliff Health Camp, scholarships for local students, Players de Noc, the Salvation Army and other causes.

While each chapter operates individually, “almost all our clubs give scholarships,” said GFWC Michigan President Diane LaBree Campbell. “That’s a common project that we all pretty much do -- and giving to domestic violence places. Sometimes a safe house; in some instances, a YMCA.”

As overall president for the organization statewide, LaBree Campbell was an honored guest at last week’s events in Escanaba, which was the District 5 annual meeting. District 5 of Michigan encompasses the whole Upper Peninsula.

Within the district there are four chapters: Iron Mountain-Kingsford, Menominee, Manistique and Escanaba.

The district’s business meeting itself, designed for the four clubs to share projects and ideas and hear from local leaders, was on Friday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Escanaba. There, Delta County Chamber of Commerce Director Vickie Micheau greeted the guests and presented them with Sayklly’s treats to welcome them to the area, the new head of Bay Cliff addressed the group, and a keynote speaker from OSF St. Francis Hospital spoke about developments at OSF that will benefit women’s health.

Raffles the GFWC organized at the Friday meeting raised funds that were donated to Tri-County Safe Harbor in addition to items collected at the local group’s last luncheon.

While the Michigan GFWC held statewide meetings in the past for the various clubs to network, the Upper Peninsula district has been hosting the smaller group of clubs for a handful of years. To make the 2026 gathering more of a social event and give folks a reason to stay in town overnight, President Susan Clifton of the Escanaba GFWC organized a meet-and-greet the evening before the meeting.

As a venue, Clifton booked the Escanaba Yacht Club, where a kitchen, dining space and porch overlooking a marina-facing green space provided visitors a picturesque introduction to the city on the bay. The event featured dinner and appetizers, plus a talk with a special guest, local author J.L. Hyde.

To learn more and find out how to join the local women’s club, people may find “GFWC-Escanaba Woman’s Club” on Facebook, email gfwcescanaba@gmail.com or speak with a member. The club’s mailing address is PO Box 41, Escanaba, MI 49829.

To book the EYC’s waterfront clubhouse for special events, people may find details at escanabayachtclub.com or contact the EYC Rental Coordinator Roxanne Branson at 906-280-0859. The property sits on City of Escanaba land but was erected by and is owned and maintained by the boating club.

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