Beginnings (1959) - WCI - Our club today - Current membership - Organization - Interest Groups (with sample calendar!) - Language Groups - Informal Activities - Events
In 1958, the late President Dwight D. Eisenhower presented his initiative "People to People" with the intent of promoting international peace through the development of personal relationships across international borders.
It had been known that visiting wives and professional women in the Washington DC area had limited social contacts and very few organized cultural and educational options. One woman, Marian Adair, the wife of Congressman E. Ross Adair of Indiana, had already developed experience with the International Neighbors Club, started in Michigan in 1958. Marian saw the need to introduce visiting women to American customs and standards.
Marian decided on a wide-ranging organization devoted to cultural and educational goals. Included in the adopted tasks was the need to help foreign visitors develop skills in English, and even in the simple tasks of everyday life within the American culture such as phoning and driving.
On April 13, 1959, her efforts culminated in the first meeting of Welcome to Washington International Club. As an indication of things to come, 135 women attended. They chartered fourteen special interest groups.
In 1986 it became apparent that an "umbrella organization" was needed to provide support to members of Welcome to Washington International Club who were forming clubs modeled on the original Washingtonian club as they returned to their home countries. It was then that Welcome Clubs International (WCI) was formed.
Since 1986, WCI has steadily grown to include sister clubs throughout the world: Asia, Africa, Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East, and the United States. At WCI's 2006 conference in London, 30 international women's associations and clubs based in London, members of FIWAL (Federation of International Women's Associations in London) also attended.
Note: Welcome to Washington International Club and WCI are completely separate and independent organizations.
Welcome to Washington International Club today is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit service organization, relying upon the donated efforts of its members to organize its activities and events. The modest annual member dues cover organizational expenses, and there are no salaried employees. The club, which remains faithful to its original mission to provide a social and educational environment to welcome international women to the Washington, DC area, adheres to the following Guiding Principles:
back to top of page
Currently we have more than 500 members from over 80 nations who
share the desire for international understanding, respect, and friendship in a peaceful world. Membership is balanced among native-born US citizens, foreign-born US citizens and citizens of other nations.
- US Members
US citizens residing in the Washington, DC area, may be sponsored to join. US members commit to actively participate in the planning and organization of Club functions.
- International Members
International citizens residing in the Washington, DC area, are eligible to join at any time.
- Honorary Members
Women ambassadors and wives of ambassadors accredited to the United States
are invited to become honorary members. They are welcome to participate in all the activities of the club
as their schedule permits. Many host programs in their embassies.
| If you would like more information about the Club's membership policies, please click here. |
The club supports a wide variety of activities, many of which take place at venues not normally accessible to the public. Most of these activities are pursued in the framework of our so-called Interest Groups, forming the core of our organization.
Interest Groups
The Interest Group members meet generally once a month to share their common interests and make valuable discoveries together. Our currently active Interest Groups are:
| Home & Garden Design
|
Lectures, tours, demonstrations, and workshops on flowers and plants, crafts and decorative arts, antiques and collectibles.
|
| Art Tours
|
Docent-conducted tours, studio visits,
field trips, meet the artist events.
|
| Weekenders
|
Tours, entertainment and meals. (Guests welcome.)
|
History & Culture
of All Nations
|
Embassy events and programs.
|
| Gourmet
|
Cooking demonstrations, special restaurant luncheons, members sharing specialty dishes and recipes.
|
| Literature & Travel Adventures
|
Members share travel experiences and authors speak about their books and lives.
|
Washington Behind
The Scenes
|
Unique field trips in the DC area arranged exclusively for our members.
|
| Fashion & Beauty
|
Elegance, health and inner beauty, exclusive fashion shows and workshops.
|
back to top of page
Language Groups
We also organize Language Groups, in which members engage and develop practical foreign language skills in a comfortable and friendly environment. Studies involve vocabulary, pronunciation and cultural readings. Most conversation groups are designed to give members the opportunity to enhance and maintain previously acquired language skills. We currently offer French (2 levels), German, Chinese, and Spanish. The English conversation groups provide the opportunity for international members to practice and improve their English.
Informal Activities
Many members also pursue other mutual interests together more informally. These Informal Activities are small and provide members with congenial gatherings in members' homes. Informal activities are added as interests change and grow. Currently these groups include Art Anyone, Brunch Bunch, Dance, Exercise and Stretch, Gentle Yoga, Golf, International Money Makers, International Potluck Dinners, Investment Club, Majiang, Pleasures of Dining (2 groups), Short Stories, and International Money Makers.
Events
And of course, there are club-wide events such as our annual May Meeting, and Fall Tea, when we gather to celebrate our friendship, and share our joys.
