In September, the Marvin House began its Speaker Series highlighting women leaders and achievers, from all facets of life. The Series will culminate next August with the 100th anniversary of the signing of the 19th Amendment which granted women the right to vote.

Due to the significance of the 19th Amendment and the Marvin House’s mission, this Speaker Series is open to the public.

The second speaker, slated for Oct. 17, is Candance Edwards, New York state president of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. Edwards’ vast, diverse background, her leadership role in the Federation is parallel with the Marvin House’s year-long nod to the women’s right to vote.

The GFWC, founded in 1890 during the Progressive Movement, is a federation of over 3,000 women’s clubs in the United States which promote civic improvements through volunteer service. The national office is in Washington D.C.

GFWC is distinguished from other service organizations by the breadth of its outreach. Their community service programs span all areas of the lives of its members, their families, and communities: arts, conservation, education, home life, public issues, and international outreach.

GFWC has earned a reputation as a powerful force in the fight against domestic violence. GFWC was recognized on the floor of the United States Senate as “a gem among our midst” by then-Sen. Joseph Biden for work in bringing hope to victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse, and our early support for the Violence Against Women Act.

Edwards is actively involved in Zonta International as well as GFWC-NY, both of which help her to put into action her belief in community service.

Through Zonta, she serves as the International chairperson for the Z and Golden Z clubs. The Z clubs are for high-school-aged students; the Golden Z clubs are for those in college.

“We’re mentoring these young women,” she said. “It starts at a young age as we get them to realize how it’s important to give back to your community and continue on when you get older. If you instill an idea in a younger person and they take hold of that idea, it will change their perspective on things for the rest of their life.”

Accompanying Edwards will be Kathleen Meyers, vice president of GFWC. She has been the president of The Aurora Women’s Club for 11 years. Additionally, she has served on the district and state levels of many women’s community service clubs.

For reservations of the Oct. 17 noon speaker/luncheon event, call the Marvin House at 488-6206 by Oct. 14. The public is welcome to attend. Luncheon cost is $17.

The Marvin House provides a meeting place for the purpose of the moral or mental improvement of women and for women engaged in literary, musical, education, patriotic, scientific or historical work.