CONFERENCES
Welcome Clubs International holds an International Conference every two years. This biennial conference is open to all WCI-affiliated clubs.
We were deeply disappointed that we were forced to cancel our much beloved conference in 2020 due to the global pandemic. Sadly, it was the first time that a biennial conference was not held in our 35-year-history.
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Our priority, then and now, are the health and safety of our members. We hope to reconnect with all of you in person in the near future to celebrate and work toward our shared goals of friendship, understanding and education!
We would like to thank Welcome to Washington International Club for hosting the
15th Biennial WCI International Conference:
Educating Women: Changing the World
We especially would like to thank Marie Carr (at left), 2018 Conference Chair;
Valerie Dunn, President of Welcome to Washington International Club 2016-2018 (at right);
Deborah Snead, Registrar; Nancy Marshall, for preparing a unique Farewell Dinner at Top of the Town; Hifziye Zincir, WCI Director of Meetings and Conferences, and the whole committee of ladies who have worked for the past two years to host the15th WCI Conference.
Saturday — May 26th
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Attendees were treated to the travel and tour of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center led by Buz Carpenter. Buz was inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame in November 2017. He is a Smithsonian Art and Space Docent and a Retired Pilot. Buz is married to WCI Treasurer, Nancy Carpenter. He is a dear WCI friend and supporter.
Then attendees had lunch at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Lynne Olson delivered a speech: Women Who Made a Difference During the World Wars. Lynne Olson is a New York Times bestselling author of seven books on history. Attendees received a complimentary copy of one of Olson's books.
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In the evening, WCI members attended home dinners hosted by Welcome to Washington members. This was such a treat to all those involved.
Sunday — May 27th
There was the Board of Directors’ Meeting. WCI Executive Committee and WCI Board of Directors had a profitable meeting where WCI affairs were discussed. Issues were analyzed concerning the mission of WCI and its long-term goals.
Caroline Adair Dimmers, daughter of Founder of WCI, Marian Adair, explained why her mother would have approved of WCI Initiative: Educating Women.
We would like to thank the Board of Directors for their participation at the meetings and for providing valuable input for WCI. WCI will work to evaluate and assess the suggestions to better serve the Sister Clubs.
Then all attendees went to Twin Oaks. The Twin Oaks is a 17-acre estate located in the Cleveland park neighborhood in Washington, D.C. The historic residence, completed in 1888, was designed by Francis Allen for Gardiner Green Hubbard, founder and first president of the National Geographic Society and father-in-law of Alexander Graham Bell. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington own the property and use it for official receptions.
There was a luncheon, a piano concert, and a fashion show. Ms. Gwyneth Chen is a Taiwanese American pianist. Her extensive concertizing career has thrilled audiences in halls such as the Kennedy Center, San Francisco's Davies Hall, the Los Angeles Music Center, among others.
Monday — May 28th
Round Table Discussions provided attendees with the possibility to learn about other cultures and to learn more about their own perspective when viewed by others. In a warm, friendly atmosphere, members introduced themselves and shared their stories of what made their cultures unique. Round Table Discussions provided us with a great opportunity to grow in understanding and in friendship as we learnt about each other. We would like to thank attendees for making them such an enjoyable experience.
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Then attendees traveled to Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon was the plantation house of George Washington, the first President of the United States, and his wife, Martha Custis Washington. It is one of the most iconic historic homes in America with lush gardens and intriguing museum galleries:
The day ended with the taste of Botswana at the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana; Ambassador David Newman and his wife welcomed attendees to the beautiful 1887 Embassy of the Republic of Botswana. Members learnt about Botswana, danced to the music of Botswana and ate typical recipes. In all, it was an unforgettable evening.
Tuesday — May 29th
Members visited the Kennedy Center. The tour highlighted the historic events that led up to the establishment of the national cultural center that is also the nation's living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, and includes an interactive exhibit on his life and presidency. Visitors also learnt about the works of art given to the Center, such as Robert Berks's bust of President Kennedy, Willy Weber's Apollo X, and the stunning Israeli Lounge.
Members attended lunch at the Embassy of Colombia, where they learnt with the guest speaker, Emma Naslund-Hadley on, Gender and STEM Education in Latin America. Emma is an educational specialist who works at the Inter-American Bank of Development. Ambassador Camilo Reyes greeted members and talked about this gorgeous house built by renowned architect Jules Henri de Sibour, a descendant of Louis XVI and son of a viscount who studied at Yale and in École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
In the evening, members went on a bus tour that highlighted Washington monuments and later on, they went to Top of the Town and enjoyed the wonderful Farewell Dinner.
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Ms. Lael Mohib received the Marian Adair Award presented by Caroline Adair Dimmers, daughter of Marian Adair, Founder of WCI.
All attendees received a Tiffany & Co. Congressional plate commemorating the 113th Congress of the United States of America as a gift at the Farewell Dinner – what a lovely way to remember the 15th WCI Biennial Conference.
Farewell Dinner at Top of the Town
WCI Executive Committee
PHOTO CREDITS
WTW Logo - Isabel Etkin
Marie Carr and Valerie Dunn - Isabel Etkin
Collage with Buz Carpenter - Isabel Etkin
Collage with Lynne Olson - Isabel Etkin
BOD Meeting collage - Isabel Etkin
Twin Oaks collage - TECRO photographer
Mt. Vernon - Reem Iversen
Botswana Embassy collage - Embassy photographer
Kennedy Center - Isabel Etkin
Embassy of Colombia - Isabel Etkin
Marian Adair Award awardee - Isabel Etkin
Commemorative Plate - Isabel Etkin
Farewell Dinner collage - Isabel Etkin
Executive Committee photo - Pam Girtman
Articles
Previous International Conferences
2018 Washington, DC, USA
2016 Prague, Czech Republic
2014 Hamburg, Germany
2012 Denver, Colorado, USA
2010 Porto Alegre, Brazil
2008 San Diego, California, USA
2006 London, United Kingdom
2004 Washington, DC, USA
2002 Taipei, Republic of China (Taiwan)
2000 Ankara, Turkey
1998 Naples, Florida, USA
1996 Zurich, Switzerland
1994 Denver, Colorado, USA
1992 Brussels, Belgium
1990 London, United Kingdom