Washington Women's History Consortium
Women's Clubs and Organizations
Nancy Burdick, Junior Director, 1990-1992
Washington State Federation of Junior Women's Clubs
Nancy Burdick was installed as WSFWC Junior Director in Spokane in 1990. Lavonne Hoivik, WSFWC President, and Nancy were from the same district and worked hard to develop a better relationship between the two groups. They chose "Together WE CAN" as their themes. Nancy and Lavonne attended the GFWC Planning Meeting in Washington, D.C. together and began making plans for this administration while in the airplane. They had no idea that this administration would close the curtain on WSFWC Juniors.
The first Board Meeting was at Fort Warden, in Port Townsend. The Juniors stayed in the barracks and meals were served at the mess hall. A committee was appointed to study alternatives for the Juniors. Several Washington State Junior clubs were defederating or dropping their Junior affiliation to function as General clubs. This was causing problems in filling board positions and also creating financial problems. The Juniors knew, they needed to make some changes. The topic of their future sparked some heated discussions.
The 1991 convention was in Olympia. Nancy arranged to have Emily Langley from KOMO-TV speak to the entire convention body.
The 1992 convention was in Leavenworth. There were many tears, as the Juniors said good-bye to an organization which had brought so much joy and learning opportunities to all who participated. The Juniors had their final business meeting and did all the usual end of the term presentations. Then the Juniors joined the General members for a uniting ceremony of the two organizations led by Lavonne Hoivik. Nancy then read the history of the Junior Membership with the assistance of Julie Rehberger, Assistant Junior Director. Past Junior Directors who were present told about their administrations. Nancy concluded with the 1990-92 administration. She then asked all the Juniors to stand in a circle around the room, then all the former juniors and then the rest of the members were asked to join in the circle. There was not a dry eye in the room as together the Junior Pledge was recited.
I pledge my loyalty to the Junior clubwomen
By doing better than ever before what work I have to do;
By being prompt, honest and courteous;
By living each day trying to accomplish something,
not merely to exist."
With that pledge the Washington State Juniors ended 67 years of service in their communities as Juniors. Many Junior members were appointed to leadership positions on the 92-94 WSFWC Board, as they continued to volunteer as WSFWC members.
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