A Mother's Example

The General Federation of Women's Clubs has its own website: www.GFWC.org One of the most interesting links is a series of articlea about club women all across the USA with historic information about many club women who have had several members of their families involved in the work of the GFWC.   One of those families is our own Culbreth Family.  You may know them - they've been serving this club for a very long time and they have made a tremendous impact in the lives of many people in our local community.   The article is entitled: A MOTHER'S EXAMPLE written by her daughter (our own) Helen Culbreth Schrenker.  Here is a portion of the article which you can read in its entirety at http://www.gfwc.org/images/gfwc/legacyhires.pdf A Mother's Example by Helen Culbreth Shrenker My mother, Opal Hendrix Culbreth, set an example of community service for her five daughters by involvement in community activities and organizations. She, as did I and three of my sisters, found an outlet for that spirit of service in the GFWC Woman’s Club of Panama City (Florida). My mother joined the club in 1960, and remained an active member until she became homebound with ALS in 1982. However, she maintained her membership until her death in 1986.  My sister, Sara Culbreth Cooper, began her membership in 1969. Because of poor health, she is unable to attend meetings, but, she has kept her membership. In addition to other responsibilities, Sara has served as house rentals chairman and scholarship committee chairman. I joined the club in 1997, and have served as historian and International Outreach service coordinator. My sister, Joan Culbreth Parker, has been a member since 1993, and served as club president for the 2000-2002 term. Prior to that she was a vice-president and Arts coordinator. Sadly, Joan passed away in 2006 from ovarian cancer.  My sister, Marynel Culbreth Adams, joined the club in 2005, and presently serves as corresponding secretary. She was recently elected as a vice-president for the coming term.  We sisters are all graduates of Florida State University—four of us have earned advanced degrees in education—and have had successful careers as teachers. My eldest sister, Bayne Culbreth Coonce, chose to channel her community service through the garden club, but she has always been supportive of our woman’s club projects.