By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

The Alabama Federation of Women’s Clubs was organized in 1895 and chartered into the General Federations of Women’s Clubs in 1907. For more than 117 years, Alabama federated clubwomen have dedicated themselves to community improvement though volunteer service.

District III was led by Director Jan Greer (2010-2012) of Chelsea and is comprised of 18 clubs from Jefferson and Shelby counties. Shelby County has four clubs: Columbiana Culture Club, Novella Club of Columbiana, Vignette Club and GFWC Pelham Juniorettes.

District III officers for 2012-2014 were installed by AFWC State President Cynthia Geis at the spring meeting at the First United Methodist Church of Leeds: Director Liz McCormick; First Assistant Director Cathy Barker; Second Assistant Director Peggy Wood; Third Assistant Director Carolyn Waldrop; Secretary Marilyn Beard; and Treasurer Linda Cundiff.

Wood is past president of the Novella Club of Columbiana and was district treasurer in 2010-2012. Cundiff is current president of Columbiana Culture Club and was district home life chair in 2010-2012.

“I enjoy working with other women to help people,” said Wood.

The Federation helps our communities in many ways. Raising funds for scholarships has been a primary focus of the Geis administration. Some of the scholarships at the state level are: Miss Alabama Scholarship; President’s Scholarships ($400); Sue Shaw Juniorette Scholarship ($400); Sue and Virginia Hester Special Education Scholarship ($1,000) and the Kitty Stone Graduate Scholarship ($1,000). District III offers four $500 scholarships to young men and women in Jefferson and Shelby counties. Scholarships are also offered by all three Columbiana clubs to Shelby County students.For more information, visit Gfwc-alabama.org/scholarships.

The Federation is generous in other ways. AFWC responded along with GFWC for tornado relief focusing on replenishing town and school libraries that were destroyed. District III donated more than 100 pairs of pajamas to Shelby County’s Safe House as well as coats and socks to foster children.

“It is a privilege to be part of Columbiana federated women’s clubs,” said Cundiff. “There is wonderful camaraderie and we accomplish projects that none of us could do individually. There are projects and opportunities for volunteerism that are provided at the District level that can extend to the local level. Additionally, there are friendships that develop in a common focus of helping the community at large.”

Phoebe Donald Robinson can be reached by email at phoeberobinson@bellsouth.net.