Pictured, (l-r): Annette Metz, installation official; Gay Betcher, club advisor; Martha Fowler, member at large; Fannie Lott, member at large; Judy Woolly, corresponding secretary; Karen Gallaway, vice-president; and Jane George Holmes, president
The Woman’s Club of Columbia held its annual luncheon and business meeting Tuesday, May 24, at the Palmetto Club. Installation of new officers was conducted by Annette Metz, the oldest and longest member of the club present at the meeting. The following were installed for a two year term—president, Jane George Holmes; vice-president, Karen Galloway; recording secretary, Dr. Joann B. Morton; corresponding secretary, Judy Woolly; treasurer, Marcia Rowen; members at large, Martha Fowler and Fannie Lott; and club advisor, Gaye Betcher. Holmes will serve as the 56th president of the organization.
The Woman’s Club of Columbia has been in existence since 1925. The club was formed after “…members of the Civic League talked about the need for a Woman’s Club that would represent wider interest and could be a more active group.” The Woman’s Club has been extremely active in the community. A few activities of the group include “tin can” drives, hosting military families, and volunteering at the USO during World War II, supporting The Crippled Children’s Society, and March of Dimes—providing scholarships for college students, planting trees on Arbor Day, and erecting a monument to “The Boys of Richland County Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice” during World War II.
In 2000, the club sold its club building and created an endowment with the proceeds from the sale. Each year the club awards monetary grants to local 501(c)3 organizations whose comprehensive services provide life changes for families, children, youth, veterans, and first responders. Each grant application is reviewed and endorsed by a club member prior being submitted for consideration of award.
Grants totaling $52,500 were awarded to the following 18 organizations for 2022—Alston Wilkes Society, Big Red Barn Retreat, Columbia Music Festival Association, ColaJazz Foundation, Congaree Riverkeeper, Cooperative Ministry, Family Promise of Midlands, Killingsworth, Inc. Midlands Arts Conservancy, Midlands Fatherhood Coalition, Midlands Housing Alliance, Midlands Mediation Center, Original Six Foundation, Richland County Public Education Partners, S.C. Philharmonic, Sistercare, Inc., The Law Enforcement Chaplaincy for S.C., and Virginia Wingard Food Pantry. Grant funds cannot be used for operating expenses or salaries. More than $850,000 has been awarded between 2001 and 2022.
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