About Us

We are a non-partisan, non-denominational, volunteer women's organization. Our members are dedicated to supporting and raising awareness of charitable organizations, individuals in need, and the community.


Our Mission

The Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club is a philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting our community.  The money we raise supports local children, high school students, senior citizens, the abused, the ill, the homeless, victims of tragedy and families in need. We are a group of women who are dedicated to helping others not as fortunate in our community. 

The Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club is a proud member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, a nonprofit organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.

Code of Conduct

The Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club is committed to promoting a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment at all official meetings and events. We expect our members and guests to be kind, considerate, respectful, and to comply with local, state, and federal laws at events.  As the Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club represents our community, any negative actions or behavior that do not align with our mission and vision are not welcome and will not be tolerated. The DGJWC Executive Board reserves the right to remove individuals from events and/or prohibit attendance from future events at their sole discretion. When purchasing ticket(s) to meetings or events, the ticket holder(s) agrees to the above and that the Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club is exempt from liability for any loss or damage to property or persons.

GFWC Illinois Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our strength comes from our Motto “Unity in Diversity” and we celebrate the visible and invisible qualities that make each person unique, including race, gender, age, sexuality, ability, religion, national origin, gender identity and other identities. GFWC Illinois believes in fostering an inclusive, equitable climate and culture where all members of our diverse community can thrive.

 
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Financial Contributions

The Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club has been, and continues to be, a committed source of hope in the form of emotional and financial support throughout Downers Grove and the surrounding areas for over 60 years. Learn more about organizations we have contributed to here.

 

Volunteer Efforts

The Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club is involved in number community service projects volunteering our efforts to support those in need.

 
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Supporting Education

We believe that the support of education within the community is a cornerstone of the Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club with annual recognition of educators and students through awards and scholarships.


Our History

The Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club held its first meeting in 1959 on the second floor of a Park District building that was at Fairview and Maple Avenues, where Hummer Park is now located. Our first fund-raiser was a “style show” and our first service project was a “reading hour” at the public library.  Our projects through the years and contributions to the Village have been many and great. Among our major projects have been the Children’s Reading Hour at the Downers Grove Library, Youth Center, Fall Festival, Santa’s House, Indian Boundary Y.M.C.A., Glass Recycling Project with the Kiwanis Club, the Pediatrics Department at Good Samaritan Hospital, and many contributions to Youth and Senior Citizen projects.

We honor and thank the women who have served as Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club past presidents.

Allison McNulty 2023-24 \ Lindsay Garrity 2022-23 \ Erika Nelander - 2021-22 \ Samantha Figueroa - 2020-21 \ Colleen Schaefer - 2019-20 \ Erin Kolschowsky - 2018-19 \ Stephanie Vroman - 2017-18 \ Anne Healy - 2016-17 | Laura Hill 2015-16 | Kelsey Austin 2014-15 | Joanne Vought 2013-14 | Trish Wiegard 2012-13 | Cathy Mead 2011-12 | Julie Kornafel 2010-11 | Julia Elser 2009-10 | Joanne Walthius 2008-09 | Joelle Scheg 2007-08 | Susan Wagner (Staples) 2006-07 | Carrie Redpath 2005-06 | Laura Feste 2004-05 | Mary Ellen Drobnik 2003-04 | Beth McInerney 2002-03 | Liz Rudy 2001-02 | Lori Grahm 2000-01 | Lynn Putz 1999-00 | Gail Dunlap 1998-99 | Cathy Sanders 1997-98 | Anne-Marie Dobransky 1996-97 | Lynda Sullivan 1995-96 | Michelle Giermann 1994-95 | Margaret Maxwell 1993-94 | Marie Schuler-Vogler 1992-93 | Pat Wenthe 1991-92 | Linda Rooney 1990-91 | Cindy DeMarco 1989-90 | Chris Palmer 1988-89 | Lynn Zaba 1987-88 | Trish Borla 1986-87 | Donna Sweda 1985-86 | Joyce Grossman 1984-85 | Cheryl Kehl 1983-84 | Patti Prucell 1982-83 | Kris Bustard 1981-82 | Sharon Kohnen 1980-81 | Mary Dunworth 1979-80 | Elizabeth Wenc 1978-79 | Nancy Campbell 1977-78 | Kathleen Stubler 1976-77 | Karen Calhoun 1975-76 | Dorothy Beilfuss 1974-75 | Bea Taylor 1973-74 | Colleen Deutchman 1972-73 | Elaine Adams 1971-72 | Carla Skladany 1970-71 | Carol Benes 1968-70 | Nancy Schwemm 1967-68 | Helen Mochel 1966-67 | Beverly Goodlow 1964-65 | Grace Hooper 1963-64 | Marty Anderson 1962-63 | Joan Ebersold 1960-62 | Shirley Tolbert 1959-60