Patti Hamilton was the special speaker at the May luncheon of the Putnam County Democratic Women’s Club.
Patti Hamilton, former director of the West Virginia Association of Counties and frequent contributor to the Charleston Gazette, was the speaker at the May meeting of the Putnam County Democratic Women’s Club.
The meeting, which was held on May 16 at Sleepy Hollow Golf Course in Hurricane, featured a Mother’s Day tea party theme, a long-standing tradition of the club. This year is the organization’s 30th anniversary, and special emphasis was placed upon this momentous occasion. Pearls are the traditional gift for couples celebrating a 30th anniversary, and the meeting also had a pearl theme, with vintage costume jewelry on display and pearl-shaped inspiration cards given out as favors for guests.
The first meeting of the Putnam County Democratic Women’s Club was held in September of 1996, and over 200 people were in attendance. Meetings alternated between Wellington’s in Poca and Sleepy Hollow in Teays Valley. Karen Coria, one of the original charter members, briefly discussed the history of the club during the May luncheon.
During her presentation, Patti Hamilton discussed the various op-eds she has written for the Charleston Gazette, many of which feature titles inspired by classic rock and famous songs. Some of the themes featured in her columns are local and national politics, voting rights, various issues which affect West Virginians, and how to improve the quality of life in the state.
As she brought her presentation to a close, Hamilton lamented the atmosphere of divisiveness in the country today. She talked about how in the past that both parties worked together despite their differences, and it is vital to return to those days. She quoted President John F. Kennedy’s June 10, 1963 commencement address at American University, Washington, DC: “And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.”
The next meeting of the Putnam County Democratic Women’s Club will be the annual picnic on Saturday, June 13, at Valley Park in Hurricane. The picnic will start at noon at Shelter 1, and all are welcome to attend.
