Celebrating their 236th Birthday
November 2011
Hearts & Minds Gala
May 2011
AWC 80th Birthday Celebration, April 2010
A Home Away From Home
For more than 80 years, the American Women’s Club of The Hague
(AWC of The Hague) has been providing a home away from home for many
Americans and other expatriates alike! Our members work hard to
provide a very comfortable, inviting clubhouse and organize numerous
activities, tours, classes and fundraising events during the year for
all ages. We are a nonprofit organization; as such our primary goal is
to serve as a support network for American women living and working in
The Netherlands. At the AWC we strive to not only support you but to
make you feel welcome and to help you make the most of your experience
living abroad.
The AWC of The Hague is a FAWCO member club. As an AWC club member, you
are also a FAWCO member.
The History of the Club:
The AWC of The Hague was formed in 1930. A group of American women had been meeting socially when they decided to organize in a more formal way. Luncheon invitations were sent to American women living in The Hague, Rotterdam, Amsterdam and surrounding areas. As a result the AWC of The Hague was started with 55 charter members. They held monthly meetings, teas and programs, including an annual Thanksgiving dinner at the Hotel Des Indes. At the first of these dinners Judge and Mrs. Frank Billings Kellogg were notified that he had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of the Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact of 1928, which condemned war and promoted peaceful settlement of international differences.
In 1931 the AWC of The Hague was one of the founding member clubs
of FAWCO (Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas), part of
whose mission statement is "to contribute actively to the global
community with a specific focus on education, the natural and human
environment, multicultural understanding and international
goodwill."
In 1932, Queen Wilhelmina opened an AWC Bazaar
that was held for the benefit of a hospital in The Hague. Other funds
raised over the years were donated to the Sophia Institute in
Scheveningen for children with tuberculosis, the Juliana
Children’s Hospital, Bronovo Hospital, various breast cancer
organizations and more.
Since our founding, we have continually found ways to contribute
to both international and local charities (visit our Philanthropy
page for more information.
Through the years the club has grown, but at its heart it remains a
group of female friends who encourage, support, and entertain each
other in the Netherlands while contributing to our local community and
making a difference.
Celebrating 80 Years in The Hague
In April 2010 we celebrated our 80th birthday, our Denim & Diamonds gala, with AWC Members, family, friends, board members from FAWCO and the FAWCO Foundation, and members of the local community, with U.S. Ambassador Levin as our guest of honor. The evening included a gourmet dinner, silent auction, live band and plenty of dancing. It was a memorable event that raised money both for the Club and for the earthquake victims in Haiti.
Many thanks for your interest and every success to you, The Board and Members of The American Women’s Club of The Hague
