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Carolina Women's Club
Newsletter
February 2025
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Message From Our President
Laurey Cosentino
| | | Hello CWC members!
Happy February! It’s great to be back in full swing, and I’ve loved seeing many of you at January’s club events. I especially enjoyed the New Member event, which hosted several new members to CWC! It was wonderful to meet them, hear their stories, and share their excitement about joining our club. Be sure to introduce yourself and welcome a new member at an upcoming event!
We’ve heard your feedback about Clubs and are excited to share some updates! Due to popular demand, we’ve added a daytime Bunco club, which launched in January with a fun-filled event enjoyed by all. Daytime Bunco is now a monthly club—give it a try! Additionally, we’re introducing a new Mexican Train club, starting February 21st. With the high level of interest, it’s sure to be a hit!
Last month, I shared that our growing club needs more members to step into leadership roles such as Club Chairs, Co-Chairs, Philanthropy Leaders, Marketing Chair, and Board Members. These positions, along with support roles for social events and activities, offer great opportunities to contribute. In furtherance of this goal, we’ve introduced an annual questionnaire during renewals to better understand your interests. Thank you to those who have completed it! If you haven’t yet, please take a moment to respond so we can learn more about your potential interest in getting involved.
Our next big social event is the complimentary Member Appreciation Luncheon at Limani on February 12th. This special event will feature plenty of time to connect with friends, an engaging speaker, a delicious lunch, and a chance to celebrate you, our valued members. There are only 2 spots left for this exciting event, so please sign up! Once those spots are gone, I encourage you to put your name on our wait list, since spots often open up the week of the event. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you there!
| CWC Board Members kickoff the New Year | | Make sure to check-out
these
Philanthropy-specific
announcements . . . | | |
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6th: LEARN ALL ABOUT STERLING MATH & SCIENCE!
You are invited to our 12:30-1:30 meeting at the Uwharrie Bank across from
Stonecrest as Betty Blackwell and others share about making a difference
for local Title 1 schools & students, and our upcoming March 28 “Fun-Raiser”!
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20th & MARCH 20th: PROMISING PAGES
10 am – 12noon, Sign up online!
THURSDAY MARCH 6th: A BRIGHT BLESSINGS PROJECT
You are invited to our 12:30-1:30 meeting at the Uwharrie Bank across from
Stonecrest as we wrap the onesies and teething rings you at CWC so generously donated!
Please bring red ribbon, scissors and tape!
FRIDAY, MARCH 7th: DRESS FOR SUCCESS!
Join us from 1-4pm at Charlotte’s Dress for Success home
and help with everything from inventory to guests.
Register online starting mid-February.
| Clubs Welcome February: the HEART and LOVE month! | Hearts full of love and with attitudes of gratitude | CWC CLUB Chairs kicked off a successful JANUARY 2025 "GIVING MONTH" supporting Sterling STEM Initiative. Optional donations will be accepted through the end of February 2025.
A BIG THANK YOU to CWC’s amazing WOMEN!
A very BIG THANK YOU TO THE CLUB CHAIRS for sending photo shots to
Melissa Waters (cwcwebtech@gmail.com) and to me (Catherine.lewis4623@gmail.com).
Ladies take it to the next level! Post your photos on CWC Facebook page. SHOW WHO WE ARE! Add your own words that capture the moment at your event.
YES! Another BIG "THANK YOU" to the CWC members that have offered their lovely homes to host club event activities for the
2024-2025 season. We really appreciate you!
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Please consider joining the email invitation list of new clubs:
- Afternoon Bunco,
- Mexican Train,
- Evening Euchre, and
- Evening Mah Jongg.
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EASY instructions:
- Just go to CWC Home Page and click on Clubs
- Choose the club whose group you want to join
- then click SIGN ME UP.
That’s it – You’re in! | | | February (Heart & Love Month) 2025 - CWC Events
| Club Express App UPDATE
"Club Express App" gets a thumbs-up review from BETA Team: Darla Lindsey, Minerva Castro-Hernandez, Kristen Richardson, Robin Meek, and Carol Rubin reporting unanimously that the Club Express App is a user-friendly, helpful option, especially for members who don’t use a computer or ipad on a regular basis.
Everyone has a phone.
Team Recommendation: Notify members of the Club Express App which can be downloaded to their phone getting access by using member personal email and password. Club chairs use their club’s CWC gmail and Club Express password ending #23 or #25." | Super Soup Brunch!
Five delicious, hearty soups for 20 lucky women held at the beautiful home of Terri Fishman | |
Membership is the Lifeblood of CWC!
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Celebrate Your CWC Membership at Our Annual Appreciation Luncheon
Mark your calendars for one of the most anticipated events of the year! The Carolina Women’s Club is thrilled to invite you to our Membership Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at the elegant Limani in Phillips Place. This year’s celebration promises to be an inspiring and memorable gathering, and with limited seating, tickets are going fast!
As of this writing, there are still spots available.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:45 PM
Location: Limani, Phillips Place, Charlotte
Admission: Free! (A heartfelt thank-you to our incredible members)
| Theme: "Your Next Act"
This year, we celebrate the power of reinvention and embracing new chapters in life. Whether you’re exploring a new phase of life, diving into a fresh passion, or finding new ways to give back, "Your Next Act" will inspire you to pursue your next adventure with purpose and confidence.
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Special Guest Speaker: Amy Burkett
We are honored to welcome Amy Burkett, General Manager of WTVI, Charlotte’s local PBS station, as our keynote speaker.
Amy is a dynamic leader and storyteller whose career journey exemplifies reinvention and resilience. With her engaging insights, she’ll inspire us all to embrace change and thrive in our personal and professional lives. | | |
Why You Don’t Want to Miss This Event:
- Celebrate Friendship: Connect with fellow members and deepen the bonds that make our community so special.
- Inspiration for Growth: Hear Amy Burkett’s motivational message and gain insights to fuel your next chapter.
- Delicious Dining: Enjoy a complimentary gourmet lunch in the sophisticated setting of Limani. Select from Salmon, Chicken Souvlaki or a Vegetarian Option.
Reserve Your Spot Today!
Tickets are complimentary, but reservations are required. Sign up using the link below. Should it already be full, please add your name to the waitlist.
For those already registered, please note:
Due to the popularity of this event, there will be a $20 late cancellation fee. Please let us know in advance, so another member on the waiting list will have the chance to attend. Cancellations must be received by February 6th at 6:00 p.m.
Join us as we celebrate YOU, our incredible members, and the journeys we’re all taking toward “Your Next Act.” We can’t wait to see you there!
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Carolina Women’s Club New Members’ Coffee Recap
On, January 7th, we hosted our first New Members’ Coffee of the year. The event brought together new faces and current members, all excited to connect, share stories, and learn more about what the club has to offer.
The New Members’ Coffee is a cherished tradition within the Carolina Women’s Club, offering new members an opportunity to meet each other in an intimate, friendly environment. This gathering was no exception, with vibrant discussions ranging from personal hobbies to club activities and upcoming events.
Laurey Cosentino gave a warm welcome, sharing the club’s mission of friendship, fun, and philanthropy, while encouraging everyone to get involved in our various programs and initiatives. Catherine Lewis told the new members about club activities and how to get involved. Cathy Kane, stepping in for Becky Hart, shared our philanthropy initiatives with the group.
Many attendees remarked on the welcoming atmosphere and left feeling inspired to participate in the club’s diverse activities. One new member shared, “I’ve never felt so welcomed at a new organization. I’m excited to dive in and get to know everyone better.”
And in fact, for the second New Member Coffee in a row, two members realized they are both from the same small town. New Member Pinky Dukes and Catherine Lewis both hail from Manning, SC. Catherine’s sister even married into the Dukes family. They are meeting for lunch soon to dig deeper into their Manning connections! At our September, 2024 Event, Eula Morant and Beth Daniels found out they were both from Pascagoula, MS. You never know who you’ll meet in CWC!
Thank you to Linda Drudick for opening her home and Kimberly Scavuzzo for working with her to prepare some wonderful breakfast treats. Also, a shout-out to Terri Fishman for helping with set-up, registration and welcoming new members as only she can! And thanks to everyone who helped make this event such a success.
If you missed this coffee, don’t worry—there are plenty of opportunities to connect in the months ahead. Our next New Members’ Get Together will be April 7th. Be sure to check the calendar for upcoming events, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Let’s keep the connections growing!
Marcia Merrill
VP of Membership
cwcmembership1@gmail.com |  | | NEW MEMBERS!
Theresa Block
Susan Cockerham
Pinky Dukes Ray
Nancy Geishecker
Cindy Hutchinson
Diane LaPoint
Carrie Macneill
Karen McClure
Christina Melissaris
Cindy Thies
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5-Feb Celeste L Bagley
6-Feb Judith R Goodwin
6-Feb Sandra Darst
12-Feb Linda McGuire
15-Feb Gina Pierre-Louis
16-Feb Diane E LaPoint
16-Feb Debbie J Henderson
16-Feb Jane Berrong
16-Feb Marie Shea
17-Feb Suzanne Johnson
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18-Feb Rebecca Hart
19-Feb Eula Bing
19-Feb Lisa A Brendemuehl
22-Feb Ruth Hood
23-Feb Helen Puckett
23-Feb Mary Gilbert
24-Feb Susan Isley
26-Feb Danielle Espinosa
28-Feb Judy Hartley
28-Feb Monica Taft
| | | | We see you!
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 | |
A MILLION THANKS!
The generosity of this club is amazing! Huge thanks to everyone who participated in our Bright Blessings onesies & teething rings drive.
The count is not final yet, but we have hundreds of onesies and teething rings - each sent with love from one of you. Bright Blessings is dedicated to bringing
“Joy, Care & Hope” into a young child’s life. You have done just that.
Thank you!
If you’d like to know more about Bright Blessings, contact Becky Hart. Our next volunteer afternoon will be Wednesday, April 2nd from 1:00 to 2:30pm a the Matthews site.
| Sterling Math and Science
SAVE THE DATE !! |  |
STERLING MATH & SCIENCE: FAQs
On March 28th, CWC is hosting a “Starry Night” at Ballantyne Country Club to support the Sterling Math and Science Foundation. Just what is this group and how are they making a difference in Charlotte?
Sterling Math & Science is a small grassroot non-for profit founded with the purpose to provide underserved children in grades 3 through 5 with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) related classroom support and educational experiences.
When was Sterling Math & Science founded? In 2007, the first STEM summer camp was held. Forty-two 3rd -5th grade students from Sterling Elementary School attended a 3-week full day summer camp directed by CWC member (and Sterling founder) Ruth Hood.
What Does Sterling Provide? The Foundation provides everything from microscopes to weather stations, from science kits for classrooms to educational summer camps for underserved local elementary students.
Tell Me About These Summer Camps… These summer camps offer intensive learning experiences. Held on local college campuses, students’ interest in the sciences is ignited, and a vision of higher education caught. Camps include “INTech Camp”, “Agent Einstein” and the “National Inventor’s Hall of Fame”. These summer camps help to keep the children on track for success during the school year.
And the Results? The results from Sterling’s offerings are incredibly exciting. For example, Grade level proficiency for grades 3-5 saw an overall increase of 14.2% for end of grade testing for 2021! Students do measurably better in school thanks to the offerings of Sterling Math & Science. It is truly life changing.
JOIN US MARCH 28th FOR A STARRY NIGHT BENEFIT:
“Exploring a World of Possibilities for Local Schools & Students ” | | WANTED!
If you have baskets from gift baskets you have won previously that you’d like to recycle, or other nice baskets or unusual containers, please contact
Betty Blackwell, Crystal Egbuna or Becky Hart.
We are looking for baskets & more for our upcoming March fundraiser! | | | Dress For Success Charlotte (DFS) | We are thrilled to announce CWC’s newest philanthropic partner, Dress For Success Charlotte (DFS). DFS has been a champion of women’s upward economic mobility since 2000. Its mission is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Programs included not only providing women with professional attire, but job preparedness, job acquisition, employment retention, financial education, and career advancement programs and services.
Our first opportunity to serve DFS will be on Friday, March 7 from 1:30-4. We will be assisting clients at the popular, fun and friendly Inventory Reduction Event where surplus clothes and accessories are sold mostly for $1-$5. Volunteers will be able to shop at the end of our shift.
More information will follow when the signup is released. We look forward to many of you joining us at this or future DFS event |  | | Darden Blow, Director of Community Engagement of Classroom Central, shares insights about this great Charlotte non-profit, with the Philanthropy Committee.
Pictured below: Dorinda Jenkins and Betty Blackwell |  | Abbie Volpini with Barbara Hambacher (pictured below) lead CWC's partnership with Classroom Central.
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| CWC PHILANTHROPY BRUNCH - January 2025 | Social Media and Tech Talk | Have you checked out the NEW
CWC Facebook Group? | Stay connected beyond our events!
Join our private Facebook group, Carolina Women's Club: Conversation & Community, to share stories, discover upcoming activities, and connect with fellow members in a fun, supportive online community | 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. | |