MANCHESTER — When Grahame Slogesky was unable to find a community service initiative to get involved in, she took it upon herself to start her own.
Slogesky and four other women from Manchester and Coventry are in the midst of re-federating the Women’s Club of Manchester.
The Women’s Club is a branch of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs — an international network of local groups of women dedicated to community service. Manchester used to have a chapter, but it fizzled out long ago, according to Slogesky.
“I’m a Girl Scout troop leader, and I wanted to know what the next step was” for the girls “when they graduate from Girl Scouts,” she said. “We’re going to be like Girl Scouts without badges.”
The Women’s Club will focus on community service projects relating to women and children, the arts, education, domestic violence, and home life. Its immediate focus, however, will be on fundraising.
“We hope to offer scholarships for women and support community projects with financial donations, but all of that costs money,” she said.
As for what type of community projects they hope to support, Slogesky said that will be up to the members.
Membership is open to all women 18 years old or older who are interesting in making their community a better place. There will be an open house at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, at Illing Middle School for prospective members to hear about plans for the club and what needs to be done to move forward. Members do not have to be from Manchester to be involved.
“We just want to help where we can, there’s strength in numbers,” Slogesky said. “Here’s an opportunity to get together and make a difference.”
Currently, the group consists only of its executive committee: Slogesky, who is the president, Vice President Suzanne Brazeal-Hearn, Secretary Carrie Pinney, Treasurer Carole LaRochelle, and Assistant Treasurer Kathy Barnes. Barnes is the corresponding secretary of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Connecticut and is acting as a mentor during the group’s development.
The next and final step to re-federation is creating a member roster. Membership dues are will be $30 annually, but they are trying to find a way to accommodate women who may not be able to afford the cost.
“We can be one central place for Manchester women,” Slogesky said. “I’m hoping we can bring back that great community feeling that you have when you’re invested in your hometown.”
The group’s website is
Jackie Nappo 