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Carolina Women's Club
Newsletter
May 2025
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Message From Our President
Laurey Cosentino
| | | Hello CWC members!
Happy May! As we enter the last month of our program year, I am so grateful for all of your friendship and for your active participation in the many events this club offers. I am also grateful for all you have contributed this past year to our philanthropies, via donations, drives, fundraisers and events. Finally, I am grateful for our CWC leaders, starting with our 2024 – 2025 Executive Board members:
- Mary Koch, Secretary
- Jennifer Ziza, Treasurer
- Becky Hart, VP of Philanthropy
- Catherine Lewis, VP of Clubs
- Marcia Merrill, VP of Membership
- Claudia Pirozzi, VP of Communications
- Melissa Waters, VP of Web Administration
- Valerie Roberts, Parliamentarian
- Evette Beckett-Tuggle, Immediate Past President
- Debbie Peterson, Founder
Please join me in thanking these exceptional women as we could not have had such a successful year without them!
I also want to thank the many of you who have served in other leadership roles over the past year (Marketing chair, club chairs, philanthropy chairs, etc.). We cannot do what we do without the involvement of many leaders, and I truly appreciate all of you who have stepped up!
We’re in the final days of our Annual All-Member Survey, and as of today, only 29% of members have completed it. Our goal is to reach 75% by May4 — and we can’t do it without you. If you haven’t filled out the survey yet, please take just 10 minutes today. Your feedback is absolutely vital — it’s how we improve events, enhance your experience, and build a club that reflects what you want and need. This isn’t just another survey — it’s your opportunity to help shape the future of our club. Please make your voice heard. (refer to Survey link below).
I’m really looking forward to seeing all of you at our final social for this program year on May 14th at Piper Glen Country Club! It will be a fashion show from Scout and Molly’s featuring 7 of our own CWC members as models! If you haven’t signed up yet, please register, as this will be a very fun event at a fantastic venue! It’s also our last large group social event until September, so this is your opportunity to connect with many of your CWC friends before the summer!
Hoping to see you soon!
Laurey
| | "When we as women support each other, incredible things happen" Ina May Gaskin | At the May 14 luncheon we will be holding a “Finishing Touches Purse Drive” for our newest philanthropic partner, Dress for Success. One of the key missions of DFS (Dress for Success) is to provide complete interview appropriate outfits for our clients, and a purse is an integral part of making the ensemble complete. It is so much fun to see the happy faces of our ladies when they get to select a handbag!
Please bring gently used (or even new) purses of all sizes, shapes and colors with you to the luncheon. As long as they are in good condition they will definitely find a home. We of course particularly need neutral tones, but colorful Spring and Summer colors are fine too. There will be a table at the entrance for you to leave them.
Many thanks in advance for your generosity. And as always, if you have clothing you would like to donate please just contact Marda Kornhaber at mjkornhaber@yahoo.com or 704-502-4759 and we will arrange for me to pick it up. Also, be on the lookout for a notice about an opportunity to volunteer at DFS probably in the first half of June. | We are on our way to summer - YAY!
More hours during the day for outside activities or whatever you do that brings you JOY! |
The search for two new club leads as co-chairs is going well with interviews scheduled. It’s not too late to serve as a Co-chair. YOU are the one we have been waiting for to lead The Home and Garden Club and The Travel Club.
- The Home and Garden Club: Scheduled monthly events offer members a fresh array of new and creative ideas to help to turn homes and gardens into a unique personal sanctuary to share with family and friends. The Home & Garden events and gatherings are filled with the enjoyment of making friends, sharing ideas, learning new techniques, and helping each other to live our best lives.
- The Travel Club: Will lead a variety of local day trips and overnight experiences which will set the stage for what’s to come next for the fun-loving women of CWC during the 2025-2026 season and beyond.
Stay tuned for next month’s announcement of the 26 dynamic ladies who will serve as Chairs and Co-chairs of our 15 Clubs. We look forward to each Club having a clear Purpose, Function (activities) and Game Rules. In the meantime, look at the recent photos of happenings around the CWC world of events, as you continue to participate in May and June calendar events before our July and August break. It’s been a full and exciting year because of YOU!
If you haven’t done so already, please join the email invitation list of our new clubs: Afternoon Bunco, Mexican Train and Evening Euchre.
Just go to CWC Home Page and at the top of the page click on Clubs – choose the club you want to join and then click SIGN ME UP. That’s it – You’re in!
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Again ladies, how do we maintain healthy and active clubs? Attendance! Attendance! Attendance while keeping “No Shows and Late Cancelation” to a minimum. If you must cancel, please do so timely through the online system. Please be considerate of the plans made with you in mind. You can also email or call the Club Chairs who will be happy-glad to hear from you.
YES! Another BIG “THANK YOU” to the CWC members that have offered their lovely homes to host club event activities and meetings for the 2024-2025 season. We really, really love and appreciate YOU!
Catherine, VP Clubs – 716-392-0853
Robin Meek, Clubs co-Chair- 781-635-9522
cwcvpclubs@gmail.com
Catherine.lewis4623@gmail.com
| May 2025 - CWC Club Events
05/01/2025 – Simply Social – cwcsimplysocial@gmail.com
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Girls Night Out (Photo 1) and Waterworks Gallery Event (Photo 2)
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Bunco fun any time of day! (Photo 1- afternoon) (Photo 2- evening) | |
Membership is the Lifeblood of CWC!
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Growing Our Circle: New Member & Prospective Happy Hour Recap
We hosted a warm and welcoming New Member and Prospective Happy Hour on Monday April 7th, at the “always party-ready home” of Tammy Podrebarac. The gathering brought together seven new members and eight prospective members, all eager to connect, share laughs, and learn more about our vibrant community.
Despite the evening’s torrential rainstorms, it was a a relaxed and engaging evening, complete with delicious refreshments and lively conversation. Long-time members mingled with new faces, offering insights into club activities and encouraging involvement in upcoming events and programs.
This happy hour was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the spirit of the Carolina Women’s Club—where friendship, fun, and philanthropy come together. With so many enthusiastic newcomers, the future of our club is looking brighter than ever!
A heartfelt thank you to Tammy for opening her home, and to all who attended and worked behind the scenes to make the event such a success.
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Have You Ever: Tried to find someone in the member directory after connecting at an event?
Checked the guest list before an event to see who’s going to be there?
Wanted to take a look at all our beautiful members?
Then don’t forget, people are looking for you too! By adding your photo to your profile, other members will recognize you at events and often seek you out because they know your face.
| | | | It’s a small thing, but it can make a big difference!
Follow these instructions to upload or update your profile pictures -->
Marcia Merrill
VP of Membership
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1. Click MEMBER LOGIN
2. Type in your USER NAME
3. Type in your PASSWORD
4. HOVER THE MOUSE OVER YOUR NAME (upper right hand corner)
then click on PROFILE
5. Click on the BLANK PHOTO FRAME or YOUR CURRENT PHOTO
6. ADD NEW PHOTO or replace the current one from your phone’s or computer’s photo fil
7. Make sure to scroll down and select "SAVE"
| | | | NEW MEMBERS!
Eileen Apke
Linda Bain Clark
Pamela Blodgett
Pamela J Gill
Tracey Loughlin-Young
Marty Martin
Deb Sokol
Colette Wagoner |
2-May Grazia Andreina Walker
3-May Darla Lindsey
4-May Tracy Childress
5-May Brenda S Romanoff
7-May April Barron
8-May Beverly M Garrett
12-May Laura Brown
15-May Pamela Blodgett
17-May Meredith H Vetter
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22-May Tonya Fortune Smith
22-May Laurey Cosentino
23-May Evelyn F Goldstein
24-May Susan J Schulman
24-May Vera Ricciardi
24-May Crystal Egbuna
26-May Helen Ray
28-May Priti H Doshi
31-May Colette Wagoner
| | | Together we lift each other up! If you know of any special reason or occasion to brighten another member's day, PLEASE let us know!
To send e-cards to our members please contact the Welcome Committee at:
cwcwelcomecommittee@gmail.com or Donda Thomasson at DondaFT@hotmail.com | Volunteer Events & Happenings in Philanthropy | | Spring into Style: CWC Fashion Show & Luncheon
Join us for an afternoon of elegance and camaraderie at the Carolina Women's Club Fashion Show & Luncheon on May 14, 2025, at the beautiful Piper Glen Country Club. This highly anticipated event will showcase the latest spring fashions while bringing together our members for a delightful afternoon of food, fun, and philanthropy.
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting women in our community, we invite you to bring gently used purses to donate to Dress for Success Charlotte’s suiting program. Your donation will help empower women as they enter or re-enter the workforce with confidence.
✨ Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
✨ Time: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
✨ Location: Piper Glen Country Club
Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable event filled with fashion, friendship, and giving back. Stay tuned for RSVP details—we can't wait to see you there!
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A “FINISHING TOUCHES” DRIVE: MAY 14th LUNCHEON!
Join us as we collect gently loved work-ready purses at our May 14th Fashion Sh0w and CWC luncheon.
These bags will go to Dress for Success, our newest Philanthropy partner!
Items Needed: New and next to new workplace-appropriate PURSES.
Some women will come in the day of their interview for a new job, so everything must be ready to wear right out the door! Help us to complete someone in need’s outfit and get a new start on life.
Mission: The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
THANK YOU for contributing to this need.
Questions? Contact Marda Kornhaber or Becky Hart.
|  | | ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE
CWC Members Shine in Support of Homeless Children
The Assistance League of Charlotte craft kits collection drive has wrapped up—and thanks to the incredible generosity and hard work of the Carolina Women's Club members, it was a huge success! Spearheaded by Marie Shea, the drive collected a wide variety of donations, resulting in 141 thoughtfully assembled craft kits, each packaged in a nylon drawstring bag. This year's kits included essential hygiene supplies to better support children experiencing homelessness during the summer months. This is the second CWC craft kits drive Marie has organized, and we genuinely appreciate all the effort she has put into it.
In addition, twelve CWC members recently volunteered at the Assistance League facility. After a quick tour, they rolled up their sleeves to support the Thrift Shop—sorting clothes, hanging garments, and polishing silver. Sales from the Thrift Shop support five philanthropic programs for children and families in the Charlotte Mecklenburg area. A big thanks to Terri Fishman for organizing the volunteer experience and all the volunteers who gave their time and energy.
Together, we truly are making a difference! |  | | A BIG BRIGHT BLESSINGS THANK YOU!
Thank you to the 20 plus women who joined in our April Bright Blessings Volunteer day! We rolled & ribboned countless onesies (sleeves out!) for new Moms in need. Each of you are a VERY BRIGHT BLESSING!
And a Big Welcome to our new Bright Blessings leaders: Gayle McKearin and Beth Daniels! They will expand our service at this warehouse where not only much-needed goods but also hope and care are always available. |  | The Carolina Women’s Club recently gathered at Promising Pages, the Charlotte Area Book Bank, for a fulfilling day of service. Together, we cleaned, repaired, and sorted donated books, preparing them for distribution to children in Charlotte’s “book deserts”—areas where homes have few, if any, books
While working, we shared stories about our families, exchanged travel tips, and enjoyed each other’s company. Our efforts support Promising Pages’ mission to provide every child with a home library of self-selected books, fostering a lifelong love of reading .
We’re excited to continue this meaningful work and invite you to join us for our next volunteer session in May. Be sure to check the Carolina Women’s Club calendar early to sign up and be part of this rewarding experience! We welcome our newest Promising Pages volunteer Marcia Merrill.
|  | | Join us at Dress For Success on Tuesday, June 17 1:30-3:30 for a fun, “Done in a Day” event.
We will be helping out with projects in the warehouse/operations center. No heavy lifting involved as we will be working primarily with clothes, shoes and purses, but please wear jeans and comfortable shoes.
Register on the CWC website!
DFS is located at 500 Clanton Road, suite A right off of I-77. If you are interested in carpooling or have any questions, please contact Marda Kornhaber at 704-502-4759 or mjkornhaber@yahoo.com. | | | Social Media and Tech Talk | CWC Mobile App hosted by Club Express |
We are thrilled to announce the launch of CWC Mobile App hosted by Club Express, your all-in-one app designed to enhance your CWC membership experience!
With the CWC Mobile App, managing your membership, events, and club activities has never been easier. Here’s what you can expect:
- Event Registration: Quickly sign up for upcoming club events and get notified about all important details.
- Member Directory: Stay connected with fellow members. Find contact information, connect for collaboration, and grow your network!
- Membership Management: Easily manage your dues, track your benefits, and update your personal info.
- Exclusive Content: Access members-only content, including newsletters, event replays, and special announcements.
- Instant Updates: Receive real-time alerts for club news, reminders, and changes to schedules.
This app is exclusively available for CWC Members and designed with you in mind. Whether you're looking to stay up to date with the latest events or make the most of your membership, Club Express is here to make it simple and accessible at your fingertips.
Available on both iOS and Android. Don’t miss out—start exploring all the features today!
For any questions or support, feel free to contact our team via the app or at cwcwebtech@gmail.com.
We can’t wait to see you engage with Club Express!
Download the CWC app now!
| All payments are final. Cancellation made after registration closes will not be refunded or credited. Members who cancel prior to close of registration will receive a club credit. We do not provide refunds or credits for membership dues or donations. | |