(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs (NJSFWC) will hold its 2023 Annual Convention May 1-3 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. The convention will be attended by hundreds of clubwomen from 174 local federated clubs across the state, who will gather to vote on key organizational issues, support motions for legislation, and celebrate New Jersey women of achievement. This year’s theme, which plays on the hotel’s name, is “Volunteerism Will Rock Your World.”
NJSFWC is proud to welcome several esteemed guest speakers to the 2023 Convention, including NJ Congressman Andy Kim and Former Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, now Executive Director of Mercy Center. Kim will speak during the business session on Monday, May 1 at 2:30pm, and Guadagno will speak during the business session on Tuesday, May 2 at 9:30am. Both will address key issues facing women and families today and will encourage NJSFWC’s continued spirit of volunteerism and advocacy.
“We are thrilled to welcome Congressman Andy Kim and Former Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno to NJSFWC’s 2023 Annual Convention. Both of these political leaders have shown an extraordinary commitment New Jersey’s women and girls and have used their platform for building stronger communities. Like the women of NJSFWC, they believe in the power of giving back,” said NJSFWC President Shirley Holly.
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) International President Debra Strahanoski will also speak during the Monday, May 1 business session. NJSFWC will welcome filmmaker and author Donna Roman Hernandez, a former police captain and a domestic violence awareness advocate, to speak on how to “Become Your Best Self” at their Tuesday evening dinner honoring Club Presidents.
Awards will also be presented to clubs who showed exceptional commitment and creativity in their volunteer and philanthropic activities throughout 2022, and the annual “Women of Achievement” dinner will take place Monday evening, where awards will be presented to New Jersey women who have made great strides with exceptional careers and community service.
State legislative issues to be voted on by club members during business sessions at Convention will include:
* Banning insider trading in Congress
* Restricting eminent domain
* Proportional property tax reduction for disabled veterans
NJSFWC was recently named an “Outstanding Community Organization” by the New Jersey chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP NJ) at their 2022 Excellence in Philanthropy Awards. Throughout the 2022-2024 administration of President Shirley Holly, NJSFWC is supporting the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation as its Special State Project, raising cash and in-kind donations to support the organization’s efforts for families with children affected by cancer.
The New Jersey State Federations of Women’s Clubs (NJSFWC), a volunteer community service organization, was founded in 1894 and is headquartered on the Douglass College campus in New Brunswick, NJ. The NJSFWC founded the New Jersey College for Women, now known as Douglass College (Rutgers), in 1918. In 2020, the organization, with a membership of over 6200, reported almost 16,963 community service projects involving over 320,119 volunteer hours and $2.3 million in cash and in- kind donations. The NJSFWC is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), which is headquartered in Washington, DC, and is the largest and oldest women’s volunteer community service organization in the world.
About the Speakers:
Former Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno is the President and Executive Director of Mercy Center in Asbury Park and a partner in litigation at Connell Foley. Mercy Center’s vision is to end generational poverty in the greater Asbury Park area and does so by providing crisis services such as food, long term counseling to stabilize families as well as an independent, faith-based, tuition-free school for 4th to 8th grade girls. From 2010 through 2018, Guadagno was New Jersey’s first Lieutenant Governor and its 33rd Secretary of State. As Lieutenant Governor, Kim was advocated for businesses statewide. As Secretary of State, she was also responsible for Elections, Travel and Tourism and roughly 300 other programs and commissions. Guadagno has been a criminal lawyer and a federal and state prosecutor for more than three decades. She also taught at Rutgers Law School in Newark for six years. Guadagno was the first woman Sheriff of Monmouth County, New Jersey supervising a law enforcement agency of 650 men and women. She is married to Judge Michael Guadagno, retired, and the mother of three grown sons - all gainfully employed.
Congressman Andy Kim represents the Third Congressional District of New Jersey. Congressman Kim has dedicated his life to serving the country. He worked as a career public servant under both Democrats and Republicans, having served at USAID, the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House National Security Council, and in Afghanistan as an advisor to Generals Petraeus and Allen.
In the House of Representatives, Congressman Kim is working on an agenda to bring this country together and strengthen its national and economic security. He supports strong measures that boost our economy by investing in small businesses and innovation, creating fairness and opportunities for working families, and honoring America's promises to military families and veterans.
Congressman Kim and his wife are currently raising two little boys down the street from where he grew up.
Donna Roman Hernandez was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. She served 30 years in law enforcement in the Patrol Division with both the Essex County Police and Caldwell Police Departments and retired at the rank of Captain. Captain Roman Hernandez was second in command of the Caldwell Police Department and served as the Acting Chief of Police. She was the Commanding Officer of the Patrol Division, Domestic Violence & Victim Services Unit and was the Caldwell Police Department’s Accreditation Manager. Donna is a Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Expert and Master Trainer; a Domestic Violence Response Team Trainer, a Trauma-Informed Response Specialist; and a Police Academy Instructor. She is a National Trauma Network Speaker with Equal Justice USA. An award-winning writer and speaker, Donna is often requested as a keynote speaker at conferences, events, and seminars. Her autobiography Battered Blue will be published this summer. Donna is the owner/President of Violence Intervention and Prevention Specialists LLC, an educational training and consulting company; and the President of Blue Force Films LLC, a film production company that has received 45 film awards. Donna is a volunteer mentor to the Girls Career Institute of the New Jersey Women's Clubs of New Jersey Girls and the Roberto Clemente Little League of Newark.
Debra Strahanoski of GFWC Illinois is the 2022-2024 General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) International President. Deb has been a dedicated GFWC Illinois clubwoman for 34 years and is regarded as a great mentor to many. Deb’s boundless energy has been apparent during her Federation journey. She has served GFWC Illinois in various roles, including on the Board of Directors as GFWC IL Director of Junior Clubs 2000-2002, GFWC IL President Elect/Dean of Chairmen, GFWC IL President 2008-2010, and the GFWC IL Leadership Committee. Her GFWC leadership positions have included Membership Chairman, Community Improvement Program Chairman, Capital Campaign Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Second Vice President, First Vice President, and President-elect. Deb now serves as GFWC International President, where she enthusiastically and effortlessly leads the Federation alongside the rest of the GFWC Executive Committee. Deb is also a highly respected volunteer and leader within her community. She has served Easterseals and PCA Illinois at regional and state levels and has been honored with the coveted Friends of Children Award by PCA Illinois. Deb retired from the Easterseals Joliet Region after 17 years as a dedicated Development Manager. She credits much of her professional success to all she has garnered through Federation. Deb continues to assist her husband Bill in his public accounting office (taking a two-year leave), which they have owned since 1984. Married for 40 years, they have a beautiful family of Lauren, her husband David, grandsons Owen and Henry, son Joe and his wife Paige, and grandson Julien. Her visionary leadership, extensive experience, and infectious enthusiasm have motivated new and veteran members alike. Her bright, shining smile and warm, caring spirit will undoubtedly inspire GFWC members for years to come.
