International Women’s Club

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.

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 ($5.00 if after January 1). 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.

We hope you will join us.

Download this membership form and send it to:

Joanne Madsen
244 Woolf Avenue
Iowa City, IA 52246

Contact Us

If you would like more information, please e-mail:
oiss-iwc@uiowa.edu

English Classes

English classes for the fall semester will begin on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at 9:300 a.m. Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the First Mennonite Church, 405 Myrtle Ave., from 9:30 -11:30 a.m.

All IWC members are welcome. If you are having problems obtaining a ride, please let IWC know and they will try to provide a ride or help with the bus schedule.

Registration: You can register before class at the Mennonite Church. You must be a member of the International Women’s Club to take lessons, and membership is $5.00. Registration for English classes is another $10.00. If you feel that you are unable to afford both the membership cost and the English fee, please speak to Becky Sato at 337-2589.
Lessons: There will be 4 levels of structured classes.
Children: Childcare is provided free of charge.
Coordinator: Becky Sato, 337-2589

About IWP

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

International Women’s Club

Membership

Contact Us

English Classes

About IWP

History

Purpose

Special Activities

Friendships

Administration

Newsletters

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004