NJSFWC Welcomes New President

Long-time Pennsauken resident and member of the Woman’s Club of Merchantvlle, Jan Hanson, became the 57th President of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC(NJSFWC). Unfortunately, as happened to so many this year, the Annual Convention in Atlantic City, including the installation ceremony, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus.

In her inaugural message, sent to the clubs, Jan told the members how proud she is of them: “Your willingness to step-up to help out during this pandemic gives me hope and makes me proud. You are amazing. You found ways to help others when your own lives were turned upside down. This is who we are and it is time to let others appreciate our contributions. It is time to “Let Our Voices Soar”. That will be my administration’s theme as we work to let others know we are a force to be reckoned with. We have the power of many and together we can change lives. “

NJSFWC Second Vice President, Barbara McCloskey, from the Woman’s Club of the Denville-Rockaway area stated, ‘ our organization has just completed 125 years of community service, and we look forward to continuing our mission of making a difference in the lives of others, one project at a time. With clubs located in all counties, and hope you will join us for community service, friendship and fun.’

President Hanson announced that Operation Chillout, headquartered in Long Valley, is New Jersey’s oldest (and only) all-volunteer mobile outreach for homeless veterans, men and women, would be the 2020-2022 NJSFWC Special State Project. The 2018-2020 statewide project was CASA New Jersey. Member clubs donated over

$214,370 in cash and in-kind donations to this worthwhile project.

Jan joined the Junior Woman’s Club of Merchantville in 1982 and the Woman’s Club of Merchantville in 1994. She served as her club’s President as well as a number of district and State Board positions before her election in 2018 as the NJSFWC President-elect. She is a Pennsauken High School graduate (’73) and served as PTA president, Project Graduation Chairman and PYAA girls’ basketball, soccer and softball coach.

The NJSFWC, a volunteer, community service organization, was founded in 1894. It is headquartered on the Douglass College campus in New Brunswick, the college theNJSFWC founded in 1918. In 2019, the organization, with a membership of over 6300,reported almost 21,600 community service projects involving over 498,000 volunteerhours and $3.4 million in cash and in- kind donations. The NJSFWC is a member of theGeneral Federation of Women’s Clubs, headquartered in Washington, DC. The GFWCis the largest and oldest women’s volunteer community service organization in the world.For more information about the NJSFWC and/or membership in a local club, visit

www.njsfwc.org or call 732-249-5474.