Take advantage of opportunities and get involved internationally with the Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas (FAWCO). Exciting developments, philanthropic efforts, free resources, expatriate knowledge base, news from America, and invitations to submit material all appear here.
Read the monthly newsletter from our FAWCO representative, Irene Woodbury,
The FAWCO Foundation Education Awards and Development Grants application period has started! See fawcofoundation.org. Each grant is usually $5000. The Education Awards can be for yourself, your children or even your grandchildren. One of our own, Nicole McKevitt, received one for her son a couple of years ago. Check and see if an award could fit your or your family’s needs. Application due date is January 27, 2026. Upcoming FAWCO events: Thursday, October 30, 8:30 pm CET: The Environment Team presents Ocean with David Attenborough. Register for this virtual film screening. Thursday, November 20, 7 pm CET: LAUNCH Webinar for College Bound Families – Admissions Insights: A Global Overview of the US, UK, and Europe — virtual meeting Tuesday, November 25, 7 pm CET: Global Issues Book Discussion: In the Wars – hosted by the Health Team— virtual meeting Friday, November 28, 1 pm CET: Global Issues Book Discussion: In the Wars – hosted by the Health Team— virtual meeting Tuesday, December 2, 7 pm CET: The Phases of Womanhood – Menopause: The History of Hormone Replacement Therapy, hosted by the Health Team. Register here.
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Our club AIWAV was presented to the worldwide group of FAWCO Reps and Presidents in September. We got a lot of postive feedback about how active and exciting we are. Keep up the enthusiasm and creativity! The Stolpersteine (“Stumbling Stones”) event will most likely be on November 10th to connect with the commemoration of Kristallnacht. This cleaning and memorial will occur in conjunction with the FAWCO club AWC The Hague and Pietre d'Inciampo Venezia. The Stolpersteine is the world’s largest decentralized monument, and through this shared effort, we ensure that those lives are never forgotten. Link to the Stopersteine project: https://www.stolpersteine.eu/en/ What's up for FAWCO this season: Saturday, October 18: FAWCO Region 7 Meeting, Casablanca, Morocco. Hosted by AIWC Casablanca: “Human Rights: Access to technology and safeguarding women and girls.” Monday, October 27, 7 pm CET: The Road Less Traveled: Finding Wonder Where Few Others Go. Overtourism is on the rise – but wonder still waits off the beaten path. Join travel planner and FAWCO member sponsor Mary O'Melia Stange of Ponte Travels for a thought-provoking webinar exploring how to find meaningful experiences in less-traveled places. Discover how boutique, sustainable travel opens doors to deeper connection – for you and the world. Link to Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ynJQiWkgSvW6p8QdiT8EVA#/registration October 28–31: FAWCO Environment Festival in Scotland. Help rewild the land! Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffYaEneHeJlApis1gA4LidT8CsMQA_2xUXH1c8kfsRpic5AA/viewform November 7–9: Region 5 Regional Meeting in Heidelberg, Germany: “Shaping a Better Future Together.” Register now! All members welcome, even from other regions! Link: https://heidelbergiwc.clubdesk.com/region5/welcome March 20–22, 2026: FAWCO Interim Meeting in Malta. Mark your calendars! Any and all AIWAV members are welcome to join the general meeting to get to know FAWCO better and meet other like-minded women face-to-face. More detailed information about the meeting will be available in November. Link: https://www.fawco.org/about/events/conferences/upcoming-conference Prepared by Irene Woodbury FAWCO Rep for AIWAV
AIWAV IN THE SPOTLIGHT AIWAV will be the featured club during the next FAWCO meeting scheduled this month! As your rep, I’ll be presenting the details of our club to the other 58 clubs in 29 countries. We have two events coming up in conjunction with other FAWCO clubs – in September and November. Then remember that you can attend online discussions, a book club, and travel to rewild and plant trees in Scotland – all through FAWCO’s organization! See more details here: We have two FAWCO-related events that we are participating in during the fall: Constitution Day Event scheduled for 10 AM on September 17th with the location to be determined. Some of our members, participants from Democrats Abroad, and faculty and students from the University of Venice Ca’ Foscari will be reading excerpts from the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Stolpersteine Memorial is set to happen on or around November 19th. We plan to participate by cleaning brass plates and honoring those who lost their lives in Venice during the WWII tragedy. FAWCO BOOK CLUB The Offing by Benjamin Myers is the featured book that will be discussed by FAWCO members on September 17th at 1 PM. Sign up on the FAWCO website to participate in the virtual event. WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN On September 15 at 5 pm CET, the Human Rights Team is hosting a special discussion about CEDAW (the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women) and the situation of women in Afghanistan. As UN Women have observed: "Even before the Taliban took power in August 2021, Afghanistan ranked among the lowest countries in the world for gender equality. But there had been hard-won gains. Now, under the Taliban’s de facto rule, those gains have been erased and Afghanistan has become the world’s most severe women’s human rights crisis." Join the Human Rights Team for a discussion led by experts about the situation of women in Afghanistan as well as this international initiative using CEDAW. The panel will be moderated by Jessica Buchleitner (FAWCO UN Team) and will feature these amazing women: Corinne Dettmeijer, Vice Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (UNOHCHR) Elahe Amani, Human Rights Activist, Expert on Iran and Afghanistan Marelie Manders (Heidelberg IWC), Lecturer in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law You can sign up via the FAWCO website or the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/0yjL1u1DSfSR5FTNaP5n7g#/registration REWILDING AND TREE PLANTING IN SCOTLAND FAWCO’s Environment Team is thrilled to offer an opportunity to all FAWCO members to be a part of the rewilding of the Caledonian forest in Scotland. The Environment Festival will take place October 28-31, 2025 at the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. Activities include: nighttime bioluminescent walk through the forest led by Will Hall, wildlife expert and filmmaker; bushcraft fire starting and bannock making; dyeing with lichens over fire; special viewing of the film Ocean with David Attenborough; hiking options; and, of course, rewilding and tree planting! The cost of the program is £556 for room, full board, and all activities. Link to Dundreggan Rewilding Centre: https://visitdundreggan.co.uk/ PREPARED BY IRENE WOODBURY, FAWCO REP
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What's up for FAWCO this summer and into fall: There is a Target Project funding application deadline this summer as well as book club reading of The Offing to get started on. In the future, mark your calendars in September for a human rights panel discussion focusing on Afghanistan's treatment of women. Meanwhile AIWAV will start working towards participating in a European FAWCO joint-event for Stolpersteine (stumbling stones) to be held in November. Target Project Funding: The applications for FAWCO's next Target Project must be in by August 29. Do you know of an NGO that furthers human rights for women and girls and that could benefit from our Target Project fundraising? Go to the FAWCO website for more information. Link: https://www.fawco.org/global-issues/target-program/human-rights-2025-2028 For information about past funding of Target programs, see this link: https://www.fawco.org/global-issues/target-program Book Club: September 8 and 17: FAWCO will be offering two sessions of the Global Issues Book Discussion. They will be discussing The Offing by Benjamin Myers and look forward to an enjoyable and engaging dialogue on this book's themes. The September 8 session will be held at 7 pm CET and the September 17 session will be held at 1 pm CET. Registration will be open soon Link: https://www.fawco.org/global-issues/education/recommended-books/5071-book-review-the-offing-by-benjamin-myers Human Rights: September 15: Mark your calendars! The Human Rights Team will host a panel discussing the groundbreaking lawsuit of Australia, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands against Afghanistan for human rights against women using CEDAW as the legal basis. Jessica Buchleitner will moderate an esteemed panel that includes Corinne Dettmeijer, vice-chair of CEDAW, Elahe Amani, Iranian activist and expert on Iran and Afghanistan, and Marelie Manders. Registration will be open soon Remembering the expulsion of Jews: Based on positive feedback during June's club meeting, AIWAV will be looking into participating in the cleaning and memorial ceremonies for Stolpersteine (“pietre d'inciampo” in Italian or “stumbling stones” in English) in Venice in November 2025, as well as possibly donating in order to install a stone. The idea is to do one or more of these activities in conjunction with other FAWCO clubs in Europe. Link about Stolpersteine/Stumbling Stones: https://www.stolpersteine.eu/en/ Prepared by Irene Woodbury FAWCO Rep for AIWAV
Human Rights The Human Rights Team will continue their speaker series on the 12 critical areas of concern from the Beijing Platform for Action – this month with guest speaker Karen Castellon to discuss the topic of The Girl Child, focusing on mental health, child brides and child widows. This will be held on Tuesday, June 10 at 5 PM CET. See link to request participation: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/x13azScjQ8KIq1eoOzZqmw#/registration FAWCO’s current Target Program 6 focusing on Human Rights aims to support a transformative project that strengthens human rights for all and builds resilience, equality and freedom for women and girls, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and other interconnected SDGs. The new project cycle was announced in March 2025 at FAWCO’s Annapolis Biennial Conference and was outlined through 2028. Clubs in Motion Let’s join other FAWCO clubs like Munich and Hamburg in sending info about even individual members who are rowing. They really want to see what we’re doing in our lagoon! Send off some your monthly km total (or nautical miles) and a couple of snapshots in June to us at americanwomenvenice@gmail.com . Thanks! US Liaison FAWCO’s Overseas Americans Week just ended in mid-May. FAWCO’s US Liaison Johanna Dishongh and Cathy Farnan, FAUSA, kept up a hectic schedule as they brought the important issues for overseas Americans to DC’s doorsteps. Link for more detailed info: https://www.fawco.org/us-issues/us-issues-news/u-s-liaison-bulletins Focus On Women The next issue of Inspiring Women, Women in the UN and Multilateral Diplomacy, will be out, Thursday, June 5! Read about FAWCO and FAUSA members fighting for the rights of the world’s most vulnerable people. In September’s issue, as part of the FAWCO Health Team’s 2025 focus on the topic, the theme is “The Phases of Womanhood.” Do we have anyone who wants to submit an article for that? It could encompass issues like childrearing abroad, menopause, empty-nesters, navigating divorce or anything else you think is appropriate. Let us know you’re interested by June 7th . Remember to sign up as a FAWCO member on the website to get access to all the interesting information and events! Written by Irene Woodbury, FAWCO Rep
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Introducing FAUSA I thought you should be aware of FAUSA, the social and philanthropic network for former FAWCO club members and others repatriating to the United States and Canada. They aim to help members reintegrate back after having lived abroad. They understand that it is both challenging and joyful. See their website for more information: https://fausa.org/ US Voting FAWCO is strongly encouraging women abroad to contact their Senators to block them from voting for the SAVE (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility) Act. If passed, it will require everyone to present and birth certificate or passport in person to a local election official every single time a person registers or re-registers to vote. It would upend or eliminate online voter registration, which is so helpful to us abroad. As women, the act will complicate things even more because we may not have the exact same nae as written on our birth certificates due to marriage. The Act has already passed in the House of Representatives. For more details, look at https://www.fawco.org/us-issues/u-s-voting/u-s-voting-articles/5117-fawco-and-partners-publish-letter-opposing-the-dangerous-save-act-spread-the-word. Clubs in Motion Are 3 or more members going to be participating in this year's Vogalonga, by chance? Can we get a blurb about the experience and a photo to send to FAWCO for their global newsletter? Innovation in Florence Read about how some young designers in Florence are creating circular economy solutions for the off-cuts from the luxury handbag industry. Link here: https://www.fawco.org/global-issues/environment/environment-articles/5114-luxury-brands-and-circular-economy-a-florentine-example Written by Irene Woodbury, FAWCO rep
FAWCO has several online events scheduled for the coming months and interesting articles ready to read on their website. What's up in April for FAWCO: HEALTH: Interested in information about menopause? Join the online meeting on Tuesday April 8th at 8 PM “Phases of Womanhood – Navigating Menopause: Protecting Your Bones and Health”. You need to register for a FAWCO account in advance Link: https://www.fawco.org/about/how-we-work/fawco-calendar/eventdetail/513/-/april-8-the-health-team-presents-phases-of-womanhood-navigating-menopause-protecting-your-bones-health-virtual-meeting Read! Some might find it interesting to read the article by a FAWCO Antwerp member, “Preserving Cognitive Health As We Age” to help us understand how to extend our health span. Link: https://www.fawco.org/global-issues/health/health-articles/5109-preserving-cognitve-health-as-we-age WELL-BEING: Join FAWCO members for an online meeting Thursday April 24h at 8 PM for April Happy Hour: Spring Clean Your Habits & Goals. Log-in to FAWCO required. Link: https://www.fawco.org/about/how-we-work/fawco-calendar/eventdetail/523/-/april-24-fawco-happy-hour-spring-clean-your-habits-goals-virtual-meeting US TAXES: Mark you calendars for May! There is an online meeting on Wednesday May 28th at 7 PM “2025 Updates for Filing Your 2024 US Tax Return” presented by Nathalie Boldstein Enrolled Agent and CEO of My ExpatTaxes. FAWCO login required. Link: https://www.fawco.org/about/how-we-work/fawco-calendar/eventdetail/521/-/may-28-fawco-sponsor-my-expat-taxes-presents-2025-updates-for-filing-your-2024-us-tax-return-virtual-meeting FOCUS ON WOMEN: Human Rights reading: “Women in Power: Look Behind You” by Mary Adams (AWC The Hague) explores whether a matriarchy has ever existed and if science can help change the gender lens on the role of women in ancient civilizations. Link: https://www.fawco.org/global-issues/human-rights/human-rights-articles/5100-women-in-power-look-behind-you Of course, there is much more to do and see on the FAWCO website, so I encourage you to hop on over and check out what else could interest you: www.fawco.org. Prepared by Irene Woodbury FAWCO Rep for AIWAV
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Did you know that FAWCO has an Environment Team? They encourage environmental stewardship and promote awareness of climate change and its impact on peace in global society. Some of what they tackle has involved energy efficiency, conservation and waste reduction, and issues affecting clean air, soil and water. Major past activities were supporting carbon sequestration through tree planting and water awareness in conjunction with the First Target Program. Of course, they believe that we can impact our environment as individuals—each person counts. Let us know if you’re doing anything extra special related to the environment that we should tell them about! Check out FAWCO’s January Issue “Women Working with Words – Part 2 – #1/4” that features the stories of many FAWCO members who have written books as well as organizations focusing on those of us who repatriate back to the US after living abroad. You have another network for that, too! See issue at this link: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/69745559/women-working-with-words-part-2-january-2025 or https://www.fawco.org/about/publications/inspiring-women Attention! There is a FREE “Writers Workshop: Making More of Memoir: Tools for Drawing Readers to and into Your Writing” on Saturday, April 26, 5-7 PM CET for anyone interested. For more information and FAWCO code, contact: worshops.literacylegacy@fawco.org.
Welcome to some information and links from our “mother” association FAWCO to members. Just so you know, the Federation of American Women’s Associations Overseas was founded in 1931 and boasts 59 clubs in 29 countries currently. There are four global issues that FAWCO is currently focusing on: education, the environment, health and human rights. I already mentioned one aspect regarding education in the AIWAV Activities chat in January – which is the new trend (400% increase over 9 years) in book banning in the US. There’s a link to a FAWCO research article (https://www.fawco.org/global-issues/education/education-articles/5074-the-insidious-rise-of-book-banning-facts-figures-and-taking-action) that I recommend reading to learn more about the origins of the banning, reasons for its resurgence and methods for combatting it. Here, I’ll talk about an element of health that we could tap into: Clubs In Motion. The idea is to encourage and chronicle our members’ efforts to stay fit. FAWCO records its members doing physical activity together. The 2024 world club report was just published. To participate, there have to be at least 3 members doing something active together, like walking a few kilometers/miles or doing a mini-marathon. Sure, we walk no matter what in the lagoon area of historic Venice – just to get on with everyday life in town. But if our members are interested in getting together for extra walks/runs in the city or on the mainland and then pass on this information and photos to FAWCO, all the better! We could also send along info whenever we have several members rowing together. Wouldn’t that aspect of our “moving” be fun to get included as part of our Venetian club? So Ladies, let us know when you are staying fit together. Let’s get listed! Link to FAWCO’s Clubs In Motion: www.fawco.org/clubs-in-motion. As for human rights, we’ll have our lovely Julia Runte give a talk on the subject at February’s clubhouse meeting! Well, I gotta run now, but not in the moving sense, Irene Woodbury, FAWCO rep for AIWAV