GWC gathered in the administration building at Greenwood Pathway House to greet each other and to share in the delicious refreshments prepared by the Social Committee. We had a large group in attendance which included approximately 45 members and a dozen guests.

After enjoying refreshments, we proceeded into the Pathway House Worship Building where Rachel Strayer welcomed the group with a provocative introduction to our program during which she asked each of us to imagine ourselves being without a home and to consider how that would shape the course of our lives. Her introduction served to frame our experience as we learned more about Greenwood Pathway House and all that the organization does to help those who face the challenge of being homeless. Rachel then welcomed our guests and invited them to consider becoming a member of GWC.

Mary Woodiwiss then gave updates regarding GWC Membership, noting that in the first months of 2024, GWC has been enriched by 30 new members. Mary also recognized Debra Coleman who has been a faithful member since 2019, serving on the Communications and Programs & Education Committees during her tenure. Debra will be moving to Texas to be closer to her son and “GWC wishes her well in her next sphere of influence”.

Holley Coyle, Co-Chair of the Social Committee, informed the group that the Social Committee is actively seeking new members.

Following Holley’s announcement, Helena Wardlaw introduced our guest speaker, Anthony Price, Executive Director of Greenwood Pathway House.

Anthony Price gave a fascinating and highly informative presentation about homelessness, its root causes, and the many ways Greenwood Pathway House functions to address the root causes of homelessness in Greenwood and Abbeville counties. He noted during his talk that in 2023, 375 people were assisted and 62,207 meals were served. Additionally, the inclement weather shelter was open for 80 days.

He thanked GWC for the grants awarded to Greenwood Pathway House by GWC, the most recent being a large grant in 2022 toward the establishment of the Pathway Village. The Pathway Village is housing which serves homeless families. Thus far, Pathway Village has served 43 families with a total of 94 children. Of those, 14 families are now in their own home.

After Anthony’s remarks, Debra Coleman presented a children’s book “The Box” by Isabella Paglia, which is a story about reaching out to a new friend and “meeting others where they are”. This book will be donated to the Greenwood County Library’s Children’s Collection in honor of Anthony Price.

Laura Bachinski closed this portion of the meeting. She shared that our next meeting will be held on August 20 at the Greenwood Genetic Center and will be our celebration of GWC 2023 Grant recipients.

To conclude the presentation, Anthony Price led a tour of the grounds of the Pathway House, including a look at the Pathway Village and the “Furnishing a Future” woodworking shop.

GWC was blessed with 19 guests and 43 members attending our February 13th Quarterly Meeting, Greenwood Women Care – About our Planet, at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Rachel Strayer welcomed the enthusiastic group with a special recognition of guests and referenced our program on local land conservation efforts and sustainability, noting: “If we don’t take care of the planet, its climate, and ecosystems, we undermine how our societies function, worsen our lives and, perhaps most directly, harm our own well-being. Clearly, caring about the environment is in perfect alignment with our purpose as an organization!”

Rachel then introduced our host for this venue, the Reverend Caroline Dennis. GWC is proud to call Caroline a member, and she recently became the newest member of the Communications Committee. Caroline spoke of the beginnings of Westminster Presbyterian 42 years ago and of a special partnership between Westminster Presbyterian and The Toddler Learning Center. This alliance had its beginning at a GWC meeting when Teresa Goodman spoke of Community Initiatives’ need for space for this program and Caroline responded by offering facilities at Westminster Presbyterian!

Summer Booker, Chair of the Governance and Finance Committee and GWC Treasurer, gave a fascinating presentation that outlined the history and purpose of the GWC Endowment. Since GWC’s inception in 2018, $100 of every member’s annual membership contribution of $550 has been added to our GWC Endowment and invested and professionally managed with other endowed funds held by Greenwood County Community Foundation. The GWC Endowment is intended for the long-term sustainability of our organization. Currently, our Advisory Board has voted to allow this fund to continue to accumulate and grow.

Maureen Kilburn of the Programs and Education Committee introduced Kirby Elizabeth Self, Miss South Carolina USA and a student in Harvard Extension School’s Sustainability Master’s Degree Program. Kirby shared six guidelines for sustainability that we should be mindful of in our everyday life: considering our method of transportation, unplugging unused devices, avoiding single-use plastic containers, recycling, shopping at green businesses, and eating local by growing vegetables or shopping at farmers’ markets.

Laura Bachinski, Chair of the Programs and Education Committee, introduced Peggy Adams, founder of the Upper Savannah Land Trust (USLT) and a Charter Member of GWC, who spoke of the beginnings of the USLT, founded in 2000 with her husband, L.B. Adams. Peggy introduced Rossie Corwon, former Board Chair of USLT and a GWC Charter Member who spoke of her work on the board of USLT with Wade Harrison, USLT’s Executive Director. Wade spoke about conservation easements which help private landowners protect their waters and land. Greenwood County has 18 easements, managed by USLT that protect 17,936 acres of land  from unwanted development and ensure that the natural beauty of the land will be available for future generations.

Courtney Christensen and Margaret Conrad presented two children’s books donated in honor of our speakers to the Greenwood County Library. Kirby Elizabeth Self was honored with Because of an Acorn by  Lola Schaefer and Wade Harrison, Peggy Adams, and Rossie Corwon were honored with Slow Down; 50 Mindful Moments in Nature by  Rachel Williams.

Mary Woodiwiss, Chair of the GWC Advisory Board, thanked our speakers, our venue hosts, and our Social and Programs & Education Committees. She recognized our 23 new members (so far!) and also acknowledged “each one of you who have come to share in this full, rich time together.”  Mary asked us to consider: “Who else would you like to see in the next room where we meet? Who are we missing? Consider how you can help spread the word.”  She encouraged members and guests to attend our Annual Celebration on Monday, March 18^th, and to bring guests!

It was a lovely, enlightening, and educational meeting enjoyed by all!

In their biannual tradition, our Membership Committee welcomed our newest members on February 1 with a bountiful supper of appetizers, soups, salads, rolls, and desserts – all homemade by committee members, all delicious! Even more satisfying than the fare was the experience of sharing this enlivening evening with 14 of our (currently 21) new 2024 members!

Martha Ann Davis provided the perfect setting in her hospitable home, replete with her special touches. Betty Adams, Membership Committee Co-Chair, welcomed all and led us in introductions around the room and Rachel Strayer (Advisory Board Vice Chair) and Mary Woodiwiss (Advisory Board Chair) offered brief descriptions of our six standing committees and answered questions about GWC.

There was plenty of time to linger around each table and be enriched by our conversations with new friends. We look forward to being together again later this month!