Association of International Women
P.O. Box 40145
Indianapolis, IN 46240-0415
317: 767-0964
www.aiwindy.org
Membership chairman (2001-2): Monica M. Allen, 317:873-3479
Events
Bi-monthly luncheons
Interest groups
Annual International Women's Day Dinner-Dance (March)
History
The Association of International Women (AIW) began as the International Women's Club of Indiana, an affiliate of the Indiana International Council. The goal was to provide a place for incoming foreign nationals to meet fellow newcomers and Americans, and to help them settle quickly into life in Indiana.
An organizational meeting was held May 31, 1990, in the home of Ann D. Hicks. Susan McKee, Indiana International Council president, invited a diverse group of women, both American- and foreign-born, to consider creating a new organization for women from around the world. At this gathering, a steering committee was agreed upon and the International Women's Club of Indiana was born.
Guiding the new organization were Danny Clery (Luxembourg), who became the club's first president; Aisha Henn (Morocco), vice-president; Christine Dowdeswell (England by way of Zimbabwe), secretary; Marie-Noelle Charoy (France), assistant secretary, and Gloria Scott (USA), treasurer. Susan McKee (USA) later replaced Ms. Scott.
Its first luncheon was held September 27, 1990, in Woodstock Club. Elected as honorary members at that first meeting were four of the women in attendance: Susan Bayh, wife of Indiana's Governor; Judy O'Bannon, wife of Indiana's Lieutenant Governor; Bev Hudnut, wife of Indianapolis' Mayor, and Donna Mullinix, "Painting the Town" columnist for The Indianapolis Star.
By the date of the second luncheon, January 17, 1991 (held in the President Benjamin Harrison Memorial Home), the club had 61 members. The third luncheon was March 21, 1991, in the Milano Inn, and the fourth May 16, 1991, in Woodstock Club. The first anniversary of the club's founding was celebrated with a September 19, 1991, luncheon in the Indiana Governor's Mansion, hosted by honorary member First Lady Susan Bayh.
Since then, the organization has grown and developed into a vibrant group numbering over 250 with members from around the globe and it fulfills the hopes and dreams of the founders and those who have worked and continue to work to make it all happen. From the outset the association had the same structure - a bi-monthly luncheon and a number of interest groups which have continued to flourish.
Margaret Goldsmith, wife of Indianapolis' Mayor, and Deputy Mayor Caterina Cregor (now Caterina Cregor Blitzer, executive director of the International Center of Indianapolis) were special guests at the May 21, 1992, luncheon in Chateau Normandy, and both were invited to become honorary members. Also at this meeting, the membership voted to become independent of the Indiana International Council and renamed itself the Association of International Women.
Presidents of the group have been: Danny Clery (Luxembourg), Pat Brandt (USA), Mary Spink (England), Maru Villalta (Colombia), Jan Chapman (USA), Kitty Jansen (Netherlands), Sylvianne Lunn (France), Kathy Chen (China/Canada) and Maria Geise (Bolivia).
(created 2000)
(last updated 27 September 2001)