Powerhouse Women
We build, foster, celebrate, improve, and serve our communities!
Hello, friends, Amy Peele, here!
I hope you are having a safe, healthy, fun-filled summer so far.
Have you ever heard of The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)?
Founded in 1890 during the Progressive Movement, the GFWC is an international women’s organization dedicated to improving local communities through volunteer service.
As an honorary chairperson for the organization, I had the pleasure of being the Saturday breakfast speaker at their Annual Convention in Atlanta last month.
Each year, they champion what they call a “Signature Program,” pouring their time, attention, and resources into effecting change.
This year’s focus is Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness & Prevention. GFWC aims to be a powerful voice for victims and survivors.
As such, the GFWC:
creates and leads education, public awareness, and service projects for club members and local citizens at the community level;
collaborates with national domestic violence networks and organizations;
supports existing activities and established programs;
advocates for victims and survivors; and
provides educational opportunities to survivors.
It’s just an incredible organization doing really good stuff, and I think everyone should know about it.
They have an International Day of Service coming up on September 27 that I’ll be talking more about in the coming months, where they’re encouraging everyone to find a local organization to support that speaks to their Signature Program.
You should check this group out. It’s full of powerhouse women making a difference on the ground, every day.
I’m proud to be a part of it, and I had the greatest time at their Annual Convention.
Hundreds of wonderful women came to my talk, and I met so many of them afterwards.
I also sold lots of books, including scores of the new Scratch? My Ass! cookbooks!
These ladies were snatching ‘em up in groups of 5! There was talk of stocking stuffers, cookbook collectors, and book club gifts!
I’ve already heard back from one of the women I met - she made the Au Gratin potatoes on page 32 and said they were a hit.
So, What Else is Good?
I’m glad you asked.
Two things.
I especially enjoyed the stories, suggestions, and perspectives my friend and fellow writer, Alex, shared in her latest Substack, “With Love, From Alex” - her writing is always so yummy, and this month encapsulated a lot about what I love about the Midwest in general (and her in particular).
She and her husband recently moved from Tennessee to Wisconsin, and they host these open invitation monthly dinners in their home, with the mission to foster community one meal at a time. I even put her in touch with a childhood friend of mine who lives near her now, and he went to one of their dinners!
Food is love, and we could all use a little more love right now, don’t you think? Give Alex a follow, let her know I sent you.
Speaking of finding your community, I was recently invited to the premier of a documentary at the California Film Institute that opened my eyes to a whole new world. Learning to be Naked: Healing through Burlesque is an award -winning documentary that reveals the healing, transformative power of burlesque dancing.
“The film is a celebration of courage, connection, and transformation, with a goal to challenge social standards and remind audiences that every body and every person is worthy of love, visibility and admiration.”
I hope you get a chance to see it because it is very well done.
I hope this summer season finds you taking at least three deep breaths before you start your day and maybe looking for ways to build, foster, or celebrate community in your neck of the woods!
I’ll see you again soon.
Take care and be well,
Amy
Amy S. Peele, RN, is an award-winning, best-selling author who studied improv at Second City Players and has a fascinating 35-year career in the organ transplant field under her belt. Her experiences provide authentic backdrops for not only for her medical mysteries Cut, Match, and Hold, a series with a mission and a sense of humor, but also her childhood memoir, Aunt Mary’s Guide to Raising Children the Old-Fashioned Way, and her upcoming beach reach, Last Bite (early 2026). Amy’s books have gained national recognition with accolades such as the NYC Big Book Award, Chanticleer International Book Awards, IPPY, Independent Press Awards, and more. Amy enjoys laughter, meditating, Pilates, yoga, swimming, and eating good food, especially with good people. She always has been, is, and always will be a die-hard Cubs fan. Find out more and get in touch at: www.amyspeele.com.
Great update Amy!!!