About WHJWC
Since its founding in 1944, the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club community unites its members with connection, meaning, and purpose. We take great pride in making a positive difference where we live. At its core, this club exists because of a simple choice: to show up.
What does WHJWC do?
We turn our generosity into action.
- Direct Community Aid: Volunteering to assist special needs youth, elderly residents, and families in crisis.
- Educational Futures: Awarding vital college scholarships to local high school students with financial need, helping them pursue higher education and achieve their goals.
- Targeted Grantmaking: Funding key local initiatives—from METCO student breakfasts and middle school anti-bullying programs to mobile literacy labs.
- Signature High-Impact Events: Raising hundreds of thousands of dollars annually through our three flagship community events (Wellesley Marketplace, Kitchen & Home Tour, Wonder Run 5K) that are reinvested directly into the community.
- Meaningful Connections: WHJWC is built on the belief that community impact and personal connection go hand in hand. Through shared experiences, our members develop lifelong friendships while creating measurable, lasting change.
- Collective Strength: Harnessing the power of local women to drive lasting, measurable change.
Who Leads the Club?
The 2026-2027 executive board of the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club. To reach any board member, please email info@whjwc.org.
- President: Meggie Barrow
- VP of Charitable Giving: Olivia Foroughi
- VP of Community Outreach: Kelly Norris
- VP of Finance: Mallory Murray
- VP of Fundraising: Sarah Kraus
- VP of Marketing: Emily Roberts
- VP of Membership: Hillary Tipping
- VP of Technology: Gena Peditto
- AVP of Charitable Giving: Jenna DiMaggio
- AVP of Community Outreach: Ashley Janes
- AVP of Finance: Meg Gomsak
- AVP of Fundraising: Jamie Brown
- AVP of Marketing: Anna Abell
- AVP of Membership: Appy Bubna
- AVP of Technology: Julia Campion
- Recording Secretary: Jennifer Tolkoff
- Second Year Rep: Rita Patel
- First Year Rep: Laura Wurster
- Board Advisor & Sustainer Chair: Jacqueline Cafaro
What’s the Club’s History?
The Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club (WHJWC) was established in 1944 as a spin-off of the Wellesley Hills Women’s Club, aimed at attracting younger members with a schedule more conducive to working women and mothers of young children. The Club originally had a membership of 45 women and was focused on the social interests of its members. In the 1950s, the focus of the club expanded to include service projects.
WHJWC has served the community through such activities as aiding children during the polio epidemic of the 1950s, assisting veterans, working with the elderly, performing eye screenings for preschool children, organizing a story hour at the Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s Pediatric Wing, and creating a town-wide safety day. Community service has evolved to include assisting the Wellesley Food Pantry, supporting scholars in the A Better Chance program and students at the Walker School, volunteering at the Wellesley Council on Aging and the Elizabeth Seton Residence, helping families being serviced by Second Step and Family Promise Metrowest, and performing a puppet show focused on diversity and inclusion for kindergarteners in Wellesley’s elementary schools.
WHJWC is well known for dynamic fundraising events that celebrate our community and tap into the generosity of those around us. In 1968 the Wellesley Phone Book was first published, and became our most profitable fundraiser for many years. Marketplace, a popular craft fair, began in 1974 and has since gained national attention. In 1999, the Wellesley Kitchen Tour, now known as the Wellesley Kitchen and Home Tour, was launched as a spring event and is now the premiere home tour in New England. The Wonder Run 5K and Kids Fun Run, held during Wellesley Wonderful Weekend, celebrates health and families.
WHJWC has a generous scholarship and grants programs that are possible because of the success of the club’s fundraiser events. We raise scholarship money for deserving high school students who need financial support to make college dreams possible. And WHJWC grants help fund programs that will have a positive impact on the community. Since 2023, the club has invested over $700,000 into the community via grants and scholarships.
On WHJWC’s 75th anniversary, the club gave two of the largest grants in its history. A $25,000 grant was given to help build a new softball field in town to create an equitable playing space for female athletes. And a $15,000 grant was given to help buy the A Better Chance female scholarships a new residence.
CONNECTIONS
we build lifelong friendships while working side by side towards a common purpose
COMMUNITY
we serve the greater good while celebrating our community and tapping into the generosity of those around us
IMPACT
we address some of the biggest challenges facing our society through our service and fundraising
Our Sponsors
