March 17,2026 — The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Monica Bartling as GFWC President of Oklahoma; Miriam Costilow as President of the South Central Region; and Charlene Ridgway as the Membership Chair representing the South Central Region to the 2026-2028 GFWC Board of Directors officially on July 1. The group traveled to Washington, DC, on January 8-11, 2026 to attend the biennial GFWC Board of Directors Leadership Conference for the GFWC 2026-2028 Administration leaders.
“It is a privilege and honor to serve as a member of the GFWC Executive Committee for the past 10 years in preparation for my role as the 2026-2028 GFWC International President on July 1,” said Wendy Carriker, President-elect. “This GFWC Board of Directors Leadership Conference is essential to the seamless transition of duties from one Administration to another.”
This Leadership Conference serves as an opportunity for approximately 200 GFWC leaders to prepare and train for their new roles for the 2026-2028 Administration. Keynote speaker for the event, Amanda Hunter, Vice President of Communications of the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation, expressed their gratitude to GFWC members for rising to the challenge of having raised the $150,000 pledged as an Advisory Council member.
In addition, participants heard from GFWC Headquarters staff, various Committee Chairmen, met other members of their respective Committees, and heard from GFWC International President Suellen B. Brazil, President-elect Wendy Carriker, and Trina Behbahani, GFWC Director-Elect of Junior Clubs. Those in attendance also had the opportunity to network, share ideas, and plan for the future administration, while developing as a strong collective unit to serve the more than 63,000 members nationwide and internationally.
“I was eager to represent GFWC Oklahoma at this event and look forward to an exciting 2026-2028 Administration,” Bartling stated. Bartling is a member and past president of the GFWC-OK Waurika Sorosis Club. “All across Oklahoma our clubs are dedicated to living the volunteer spirit in the communities we serve.”
To learn more about GFWC, visit http://www.GFWC.org.
