International Women’s Club
International Women's Club: 50 Years of Welcoming Diversity
International Women’s Club (IWC) is a group of women from around the world who meet to share activities that promote friendship and understanding. Our activities include English classes; coffee, cooking, and craft groups; excursions; and special events.
Contact Us
Website: http://iwc-iowa-city.com/
E-mail Addresses for Club Officers:
http://iwc-iowa-city.com/contact_us.html
Membership
Membership is open to all women from around the world, including the U.S. We invite you to come and make new friends, share experiences, and learn about a wide variety of cultures.
International Women’s Club is an independent group with a rich history that is affiliated with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) at the University of Iowa. However, you do not have to have a connection with the University to become a member.
There is an annual membership fee of $10.00. The membership year runs from August to August. If you register for English classes, you need to pay an additional $10 per semester. If these fees are a financial burden, they can be waived.
English Classes
English classes are offered in the fall and spring semesters. Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the First Mennonite Church, 405 Myrtle Ave., from 9:00 -11:00 a.m. There will be 4 levels of structured classes. Childcare is provided free of charge.
For more information, contact Becky Sato at 319-337-2589 or visit http://iwc-iowa-city.com/iwc_activities.html.
About IWC
History
International Wives’ Club of Iowa City, Iowa, was founded in the late 1950’s. The organization’s name was changed to International Women’s Club in 1978 since it was felt to be more descriptive of our members. An early membership roster listed 18 members from the U.S. and 25 members from 16 other countries.
IWC has grown since those early days and currently has about 140 members from over 30 countries. Whereas at the beginning most of our members were housewives, nowadays they run the gamut of work situations (and we consider being a housewife as work!) including single employed women, mothers out of the paid workforce, retired women, and volunteers. We are teachers, doctors, secretaries, social workers, musicians, scientists, and lawyers, to name just a few of our occupations.
Purpose
Our purpose is both social and educational. We are a group of women who enjoy getting together to chat, cook, do crafts, take excursions, and learn about each other’s cultures. One of our most popular activities is the English classes, with child care, which are held for 10 weeks each in the fall and spring semesters.
Special Activities
In addition to the interest groups mentioned above, we have a number of special activities. In October, members and their families celebrate Halloween with pumpkin carving. In November, new members are invited to “welcome dinners” at the homes of continuing members. Families may attend a holiday party in December. At other times we have enjoyed such activities as square dancing, flower arranging, and fashion shows. The spring and summer potlucks (dinners where everyone brings a dish or two to share) are also popular events.
Friendships
One of the great pleasures of belonging to International Women’s Club is the friendships we make. Even when women return to their countries after a stay in Iowa City, these friendships continue. Sometimes local women visit friends abroad, and sometimes we have the pleasure of seeing a woman (or even her now-grown children) again in Iowa City. IWC makes it possible for all its members to reach our goal of sharing in activities that promote friendship and understanding.
Administration
International Women’s Club is administered by a Board consisting of an international group of officers, coordinators of the various interest groups, and any interested members. We are all volunteers. The club is funded by our dues and English class fees, donations, and through the proceeds coming from the sale of food and crafts at the University of Iowa’s annual Cultural Diversity Festival.
Newsletters
Novemenber 2009 Newsletter
October 2009 Newsletter
September 2009 Newsletter
August 2009 Newsletter
May 2009 Newsletter
April 2009 Newsletter
January 2009 Newsletter