The American Women’s Club of Genoa was founded on February 22, 1957, largely through the efforts of its first president, Mildred Nichol.

In 1975, it became an associate member of FAWCO (the Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas) and in 1979 changed its name to the American International Women’s Club of Genoa (AIWC).

Its status as a non-profit, non-denominational and apolitical organization lends the AIWC of Genoa a degree of flexibility, making it possible to serve the community in a number of ways. It represents a port of welcome for English-speaking women from all over the world and provides a forum for the vital exchange of information and ideas so important to newcomers.

The organization fulfills an important social function, facilitating not only contact between members, but also encouraging their interaction with the local community.

The Club aims to preserve and promote America’s image, language and traditions in Genoa and to explore and foster appreciation of the cultural riches which the host country has to offer.

The AIWC of Genoa also serves a charitable purpose in the community by supporting the following organizations:

• Patronato S. Vincenzo

• Piccole Sorelle dei Poveri

• Giannina Gaslini International Children's Hospital

and various types of emergencies as they arise.

Through FAWCO, the Club supports the Frieda Bacigalupo-Natali Award for a student of any nationality, whose mother is a member of the AIWC, to pursue undergraduate studies in the university of his/her choice.

The Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas (FAWCO) is an international network of 78 independent clubs with a combined membership of over 17,000 women in 35 countries worldwide. It serves as a support network for American women living and working abroad and is particularly active in the fields of citizens' concerns, education, environmental protection, and women's and children's rights. Most of the issues addressed are of interest to all women regardless of nationality. The "Relief and Development Fund" has brought relief and some comfort into the lives of women and children around the world! Visit FAWCO for further information.

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This website is intended for members of the International Women's Clubs visiting Genoa. We hope that the information on Genoa and Liguria, prepared by Club volunteers, will help promote our beautiful area among English speakers.

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AIWC’s principal activities

(October-June)

September Welcome Back Morning Coffee;

Monthly General Meetings with speakers on various subjects;

Monthly Book Club meetings hosted by Club members;

Thanksgiving Lunch;

Christmas Bazaar;

Christmas Cocktail;

Woman’s Day Lunch;

Gala in support of the Spina Bifida Department (G. Gaslini International Children’s Hospital);

June Closing Lunch,

…and much more.

For further information, please contact us.

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2007

To the Women of the AIWC 

Celebrating 50 years of Friendship and Charity.

     I want to congratulate you on the 50th anniversary of your founding.

In 1957 two important events occurred: Italy and other European nations signed the Treaty of Paris that led to the European Economic Community and residents of Genoa founded the American Women’s Club of Genoa.  Both had an enormous impact, but for many living in Genoa, the latter had far greater personal effect on their lives than the former.

     In coming to Genoa in 2003 as a Fulbright lecturer to the University of Genoa, I was privileged to understand the reason.  There is among the members of the AIWC a comfortable respect for one another, openness to ideas, and a genuine affection for learning, listening, and growing intellectually.

     At my first meeting, I had the opportunity of hearing the presentation of a woman historian on the sociology of Italian immigrant women to California.   As a historian myself, I found the topic fascinating.  She very kindly included me in subsequent conversations, and I learned more about Italian women and their work.

     AIWC of Genoa provided a means to broaden acquaintances. My friendship with Club members was one of the most important of my six-month stay in Genoa.

     With them I spent a lovely afternoon exploring the town of Cicagna in the Valle Fontanabuona, discovering what we could about Sr. Blandina Segale who hailed from that town and who spent her life in the United States.

     From Christopher Columbus to Amadeo P. Giannini to Nancy Pelosi, and many other citizens of Liguria and their descendants have given immeasurable gifts to America.

     Now the American International Women’s Club continues that legacy by providing a hospitable welcome to those who came to Genoa from the United States and to those who are interested in America.

     I thank you all for that gift.

                                              Elizabeth Haves Turner

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