Australia, Asian Arts, Kris Kristofferson, and the Beach Boys: Introducing Gwen Woolf

By Terry Haycock, 1st Vice President for Membership

A “Marine brat” with a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Mary Washington College, Gwen Woolf, although born in North Carolina, lived in various parts of the country from Florida to California until settling in Virginia. She attended high school near Fredericksburg where she served as co-editor of the school’s newspaper and became a correspondent to The Free Lance-Star.

After graduation, she stayed at The Free Lance-Star, working in classifieds, then on to the newsroom. There she reported for the government beat and the “Women’s Page.” At that time, the women’s movement was prominent, and hers were stories about “the first woman to ….” (Gwen was the first woman to wear a pants suit in her own newsroom!) She went on to editing, copy editing, and assisting the news desk. For nine years, she edited the Guide to Living special supplement, which offered insights for newcomers in the area.

Gwen then served as the entertainment editor, then editor of the Saturday publication Town & County Magazine, which highlighted local features and history. She stayed at The Free Lance-Star for 42 years, retiring in 2010 when the lagging economy caused the paper to downsize. Then Gwen became a freelancer, covering travel and leisure destinations for Recreation News, a Pennsylvania-based magazine for federal employees, for which she also served as arts and culture columnist. She still writes features, although the COVID-19 restrictions curtailed most travel.

Gwen has been with VPC and NFPW for nearly 50 years. She joined NFPW in 1972 at the suggestion of one of The Free Lance-Star’s news staff. “Membership,” says Gwen, “has been a huge part of my life.” She has served as VPC’s district director, and scholarship chair, contest director, membership director, and conference organizer as well as editor of Galley Pruf. She was VPC president from 2008–10, a time when reporters were losing their jobs and publishers no longer paid organization dues for staff causing membership to drop, so she established a hardship fund to assist anyone who needed help with membership dues.

She served on the NFPW Board where she met members from throughout the country. She has been National Communications Contest chair, High School Contest chair and Communicator of Achievement Contest chair, and Agenda assistant. Gwen has won more than 100 state and national awards for writing, editing, and design, including VPC’s COA and Distinguished Service Awards. Both VPC and NFPW “…are dear to my heart – especially the friendships and role models,” says Gwen.

“Both VPC and NFPW are dear to my heart – especially the friendships and role models.”

Gwen woolf

Her love for animals and travel resulted in joining an African wildlife safari as well as cuddling a koala and hiking near Uluru/Ayers Rock in Australia. (She didn’t climb it, but her husband did!) Gwen has also traveled to the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, France, Hawaii, Alaska, and Banff, BC, Canada.

A longtime vegetarian, Gwen also loves Rock & Roll (especially the Beach Boys and the Eagles), attending concerts when they are in town. She and fellow member Julie Campbell are “fantastic fans” of Kris Kristofferson. She is also an avid fan of General Hospital and James Bond movies and collects Asian dolls and decorative items. Gwen has been married to Lee Woolf, retired sports editor whom she met while working at The Free Lance-Star, for 47 years. (She says he understands about Kris). She jokes that since her maiden name was Woolf, she is now Gwen Woolf Woolf!

“VPC has given me so much — building skills and confidence, traveling, friendships, and awards. I hope the younger generation [of communicators] will step up, get engaged, and lead us forward.”

Don’t miss an opportunity to introduce yourself to Gwen at our next in-person or virtual meeting — she is a delightful conversationalist with a mischievous sense of humor. You can’t miss!