Millville Woman’s Club hosts Girls Career Institute reception

Ellen Lund.

The Girls’ Career Institute (GCI) is a program offered each year by the New Jersey State Federation of Woman’s Clubs (NJSFWC). It is designed for girls completing their penultimate year of high school in New Jersey and is described as a “mini-college experience.”

The selected girls spend one week in June living in a dormitory at the Douglass Residential College, founded by NJSFWC, on the campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick. They receive their meals in the college cafeteria and attend lectures and workshops given by successful women in a variety of professions who have volunteered to participate in this charitable program. The girls also participate in service projects, music, art, swimming and more. This experience provides them with the opportunity to learn first-hand about many professions and to network with others from across the state.

GCI is funded by local NJSFWC clubs across the state, such as the Millville Woman’s Club (MWC). Girls must apply for the program at their respective schools. Guidance departments select girls who are then interviewed by guidance counselors and local women’s club representatives. Girls are selected for GCI based on their interests, community service, and participation in school activities.

Donna Pio and Barbara Westog, members of the MWC Education Committee, met with Millville High School guidance counselors and GCI candidates. MWC is proud to sponsor Emily Kukal and McKensi Chestnut for GCI this summer.

On May 15, MWC hosted the GCI reception for the Southern Division of the NJSFWC, which includes Absecon, Cape May, Hammonton, Marmora, Millville, Ocean City and Vineland. Laura Badger, Vice President of the Southern District of the NJSFWC, welcomed and congratulated all of the selected girls, their parents and representatives of the various women’s clubs.

Ellen Lund, GCI Director, gave the girls and their parents an overview of what to expect from GCI and what their responsibilities were. Compliments and gratitude go to the GCI organizers at NJSFWC and to all the professional women who donate their time and expertise.