Jackson to Serve as GFWC-Arkansas President

“I worked for the City of Stuttgart for 37 years as the Finance Officer and retired in 2014. I didn’t want to be busy and in meetings every day, but I didn’t want to just sit at home. I joined the AMICI Club six months before I retired and now here I am, taking on the role of President of the General Federation of Women’s Club – Arkansas,” stated Jane Jackson.

Jane Jackson, a Stuttgart resident, is set to be inducted as the President of the state of Arkansas’s General Federation of Women’s Club in May. She has been a member of the GFWC – AMICI Club since 2014 where she served as Treasurer (2014-2016) and currently serves as President (2016-2022). Jackson is also a member of GFWC – Arkansas and served as Treasurer from 2016-2018, 1st Vice President from 2018-2020, and now serves as President-Elect (2020-2022).

Jackson is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a BBA(1991). She has been married to her husband George (Bill) Jackson for 50 years and takes a lot of pride in her community and giving back. “Receiving the John Woodruff City Above Self Award in 2014 meant more to me than anything else I’ve ever been awarded,” Jackson stated.

Over her years of service, she has received multiple honors and awards. She was awarded the Stuttgart Business & Professional Woman of the Year in 2000, Arkansas Municipal League Distinguished Service Award in 2002, AR Government Finance Officer of the Year in 2003, Arkansas Municipal League: Marvin Vinson Award in 2008, Arkansas Business Finalist CFO of the Year in 2013 and her most memorable award, the Arkansas Municipal League: John Woodruff City Above Self Award in 2014.

Jackson is a member of the Grand Prairie Chapter of Chi Omega Alumnae where she serves as Secretary, and she serves on the Museum of the AR Grand Prairie Board of Trustees (2016-Present).

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. Founded in 1890, GFWC is one of the oldest women’s volunteer service organizations and is in its second century of volunteer service throughout the United States and the world.

The story behind GFWC is quite interesting. “Jennie June”, or Jane Cunningham Croly, organized a club for women only after she and other women were denied admittance to an all-male banquet honoring Charles Dickens in 1868. That brought to life the GFWC in April 1890 and on April 22, 1897, the Arkansas Federation of Women’s Clubs was admitted to GFWC.

Over time, many accomplishments were made by AFWC, including sending thousands of books to soldiers during WWI, supporting equal pay for equal work, and much, much more! GFWC has multiple Community Service Programs: Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention, Advocates for Children, Arts and Culture Community Service Program, Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program, Education and Libraries Community Service Program, Environment Community Service Program, and the Health and Wellness Community Service Program.

The Arkansas General Federation of Women’s Club has fifteen clubs made up of 334 members, with three of those in Stuttgart and one in DeWitt. Jackson is excited to see what the upcoming year will bring as she serves as the President of GFWC-Arkansas. She will travel to New Orleans for the official induction ceremony.

“I have had a few panic attacks already. It is a major deal to serve the entire state and I can only hope I fulfill my duties to the best of my ability,” Jackson said.