Posted by Story provided by Angie Sellmeyer, Historian, GFWC-OK McAlester Fortnightly Club
Photo by Don Jones: First Row l-r Margaret Fields, Brenda Calahan, Mayor Brown, Megan Ciolli, Dot Thompson; 2 nd Row Cynthia Henrichs, Diana Buck, Mary Burris, Audrine Randolph, Nina Fereday, Paula McGee, Angie Sellmeyer, Jackie Barnes
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs International (GFWC) celebrated McAlester Fortnightly Volunteers with a citation recognizing 120 years of community service. The City of McAlester then issued a proclamation proclaiming May 21, 2024 as GFWC Federated Anniversary Day of McAlester Fortnightly.
This group of volunteers began in 1904 by establishing the McAlester Public Library housed then in Mr. Kellogg’s law offices. Under the leadership of Mrs. Stella Arnote, President, a $25,000 Andrew Carnegie Grant was obtained to construct a new library on then named Grand Ave, highway 270, west of Fifth Street dedicated on April 16, 1914.
Mrs. Arnote also led the McAlester Fortnightly volunteers to found Chadick Park located on Third Street by stacking rocks in wire cages to mark the boundaries. Further recognition was held in 2015 when the Park entrance cornerstone was opened displaying artifacts from 1915 and the entrance enhanced with the erection of a steel arch created by the welding students at Kiamichi Tech.
To raise awareness for GFWC’s Signature Project of Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention with child advocacy efforts, McAlester Fortnightly supports the Youth Emergency shelter, Ryan’s House, Hope House along with Shared Blessings and the homeless shelters.
Mayor Brown commented, “The Volunteer Organizations in our community contribute greatly to the health and well being of our citizens, McAlester Fortnightly, a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Oklahoma, and its members have enhanced the citizens and community of McAlester, Oklahoma in Pittsburg County, through their commitment to volunteer service programs for 120 years.”
GFWC members have played an integral role in advocating in Congress for the health and well-being of children since the early 1900’s with prominent clubwomen such as Jane Adams and Julia Lathrop paving the way for the implementation of improved child labor and juvenile court laws, respectively; resulting in the first Domestic Violence Awareness Commemorative Legislation being enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1989 GFWC members actively educate, advocate, and engage in projects concerning the
well-being of children via health, social, and safety programs by offering two one-year scholarships for graduating seniors.
The City of McAlester, Oklahoma recognizes McAlester Fortnightly on May 21, 2024 in celebration of 120 years of Clubwomen’s volunteer efforts and monetary donations to our area, and the City expresses much gratitude to GFWC-OK McAlester Fortnightly and its members for their continued volunteer work to enhance the lives of our citizens in McAlester, Oklahoma in Pittsburg County.