The New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs (NJSFWC), the largest volunteer women’s organization in the state, announced the appointment of its new board president, Shirley Holly, of Barnegat. Holly has been a clubwoman for 33 years and served on the NJSFWC board in various roles since 1998, as well as the national Generation Federation of Women’s Clubs board since 2002.
Holly’s history of public service extends outside of the women’s clubs as well: she was president of the Barnegat Education Foundation for five years, PTA president for six years, and a 13-year Girl Scout leader. Holly has volunteered for Emmanuel Cancer Foundation for 27 years and is a four-time puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence. Holly works full time as a media specialist for Russell O. Brackman Middle School.
“I am honored to lead NJSFWC, an organization that has meant so much to me, for the next two years,” Holly said. “Sisterhood and service are vital to our cultural fabric, especially as we come out of the pandemic and a time of strife and isolation. I look forward to bringing everyone together to support great causes and to grow our community for generations to come.”
Holly’s administration, which will run through May of 2024, will support the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation as its special state project. The Emmanuel Cancer Foundation (ECF) provides New Jersey families facing the crisis of pediatric cancer a place to turn for comfort and support through professional in-home counseling and a uniquely tailored package of assistance – all free of charge. Each year, ECF helps hundreds of families in New Jersey with free support services. They assist any New Jersey family with a child who has cancer regardless of race, creed, socioeconomic status, or any other demographic restriction. They continue helping the families for as long as they need it, whether it be one month or 10 years. There are no applications, forms, or other red tape for a family to deal with – they strive to make the delivery of services as quick and seamless as possible. To date, ECF has assisted over 2000 families.
Holly is joined on the executive leadership team by President-Elect Barbara McCloskey, 1st Vice President Susan Chambers, and 2nd Vice President Chris Sienkielewski.
McCloskey, of Rockaway, has been a member of NJSFWC since 1987, joining the Denville/Rockaway Junior Woman’s Club, where she served as president. McCloskey is presently a member of the GFWC Woman’s Club of the Denville-Rockaway Area, the GFWC Woman’s Club of Boonton, The Past President’s Club of the Highlands District, and the Phoenix Club, and was employed for 18 years as the membership & outreach manager for the Land Conservancy of New Jersey, where she coordinated one-day stewardship projects with corporate volunteers and managed their community garden. Her goal for the next two years is to work closely with local clubs to develop potential leaders, and promote the benefits of the NJSFWC to their clubs.
Chambers, of Oradell, has previously served on the NJSFWC board as Palisades district vice president; Special State Project Chairman for Prevent Child Abuse – NJ; Health and Wellness chairman; and third vice president/Membership chairman. She is a member of the Book and Needle Woman’s Club of Oradell, having served as their co-president and in several other board positions. She was a trustee of the Oradell Public School Board of Education, a board member of the Oradell Arts and Business Coalition, and secretary of the Oradell Community Outreach Committee. Chambers is also a lifetime Girl Scout and a certified mental health first aid responder.
Chris Sienkielewski, of South Plainfield, has been a member of NJSFWC since 1984. She served as the New Jersey state director of Junior Clubs 1996-1998 and subsequently served 20 years on the GFWC board of directors in various board positions in education, resolutions, leadership, conservation, and violence against women. After over two decades as a teacher and school director, she has used these skills to begin her own educational consulting business training teachers in preschool, elementary and adult education. Sienkielewski’s focus during this administration will be membership cultivation.
“I’m thrilled to have Barbara McCloskey, Susan Chambers, and Chris Sienkielewski on my executive board. The diversity of their combined experiences – both as volunteer and professionals – will make a strong and dynamic team to grow our membership and inspire local New Jersey clubs to participate in all NJSFWC has to offer,” Holly said.
NJSFWC is part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. Learn more about NJSFWC at www.njsfwc.org.
About the New Jersey State Federations of Women’s Clubs
The New Jersey State Federations of Women’s Clubs (NJSFWC), a volunteer community service organization, was founded in 1894 and is headquartered on the Douglass College campus in New Brunswick, NJ. The NJSFWC founded the New Jersey College for Women in 1918. In 2020, the organization, with a membership of over 6200, reported almost 16,963 community service projects involving over 320,119 volunteer hours and $2.3 million in cash and in- kind donations. The NJSFWC is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), which is headquartered in Washington, DC, and is 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, call 732-249-5474 or visit www.njsfwc.org.
