BY ANGIE SELLMEYER, Fortnightly Historian
PICTURED FROM LEFT, Brenda Calahan — GFWC McAlester Fortnightly President, Margaret Fields — Fortnightly Department Director, MRHC Nurses Melanie Moore and Crystal Garrett, Gwen Geis and Paula McGee – GFWC McAlester Fortnightly Vice President.
On Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, GFWC McAlester Fortnightly Club, delivered 142 hand-knitted and crocheted newborn baby hats to McAlester Regional Health Center’s Labor and Delivery Department in honor of “National Hat Day,” — which occurs annually on Jan. 15.
This is the second year that the GFWC “Knitwitz” have delivered hat donations to MRHC. “Knitwitz” has already started on their Jan. 15, 2026, delivery.
This small group of dedicated ladies meets twice a month under the guidance of Margaret Fields, former teacher and principal of Will Rogers Elementary School, She currently serves as GFWC Department Director.
This project began with women from across the county participating in a nationwide project of delivering newborn baby hats to hospital labor and delivery departments.
During a McAlester Fortnightly board of director’s meeting, Margaret asked if maybe “we” — GFWC McAlester Fortnightly — would like to include this project to create and deliver hats to MRHC.
She suggested that they knit the hats. One of the members mentioned, “I don’t know how to knit.” Margaret responded, “I can teach you to knit.”
A time was set to meet, information about needle size and yarn was given and the group began. As their leader, Margaret guided them.
Some needed a refresher course, others wanted to try crocheting, and a few needed to learn how to knit.
After meeting together for several months, they made their first delivery to MRHC.
An article and photo was published by theMcAlester News-Capital
about the first delivery.
Several people reached out to Margaret and donated yarn for the hat project.
Afterward the “Knitwitz” decided to continue the project.
“We enjoy gathering to make these hats a few times a month to knit and share their experiences,” said Brenda Calahan. “If they ever have a knitting or crocheting crisis they turn to ‘Knitting Sensei’ Margaret, and she shows them what went wrong and how to fix it.
“We have already set a goal of 200 hats to be delivered on January 15, 2026, but to achieve this goal we are going to need help,” said Calahan.
Spots are available to join the knitting/crocheting group, and make newborn baby hats. To donate baby yarn, contact Margaret Fields or Brenda Calahan at 918-9160947.
