About IWC Stockholm

History

In 1961 a group of 9 young and enthusiastic women got the crazy idea of starting the International Women’s Club. We had all been transferred with our husbands and families to Sweden; - a new country, a new language and many questions to be answered. We felt a little lost and realized that together we could help solve each other’s problems.

The 9 founders decided amongst themselves which assignments each of them should have as members of the Board and our Board Meetings were held in our own homes. We took along our own sandwiches and the hostess provided coffee, tea, pastries or cakes – all very simple.

One of our first official luncheons took place at Ulrikdals Värdshus. ( I think that the price for an excellent lunch there was around SEK 30!). We had a speaker from Tomteboda Blind School explaining how it worked as a boarding school with children from throughout Sweden. On the spot we decided to support this Blind School. One of our members, Polly Edman, started a group which produced picture books for the blind children. It was a fascinating and rewarding job, and Polly was our co-ordinator and inspiration.

We moved from restaurant to restaurant for the first couple of years, which was quite a job for the hostess to arrange, but as the club grew we settled on Stallmästaregarden. At one of our luncheons we were entertained by ‘’Hootenanny Singers’’ and one of these young singers, Björn Ulvaeus, later started ABBA with Benny Andersson.

Our first Christmas Luncheon was at Gashaga Värdshus on Lidingö. The husband of one of our founders, Anne Obel, appeared as Santa Claus, - a big surprise! He handed over to our president, Jackie O’Donnell, a lovely gavel, a present to the IWC from the American Business Men’s Club. I think, or hope you still have that gavel. (Yes, we do!)

On April 28th 1965 the IWC held a Fashion Show of American haute couture at the American Residence with the help of my husband Gunnar Rasmussen, director of Pan American Airways, and the American Ambassador and Mrs Graham Parson. The guest of honour was Princess Christina. Many Swedish and International dignitaries participated in raising enough money to buy a mini van from General Motors thanks to Jerry Kinross and Tom Trolle.

In 1966 one of our most exciting events for both our members and the children from the Blind School, was a trip to Arlanda Airport. At that time Pan American was the only carrier operating from Arlanda with the new 707 jet plane. Pan Am invited a bus load of children to board the plane, try the seats, put on the seat belts, pull down the tray tables and examine absolutely everything by touching The children were even allowed into the cockpit to sit in the captain’s seat! I can vividly remember leading two blind boys into the aeroplane and one of them excitedly saying ‘’ It is like being inside a church. It is so big!’’. He could feel and hear - but not see.

To celebrate our 10th anniversary, the Board arranged a dinner dance and show at Stallmästaregarden for members, husbands and guests. The show was a parody of our board meetings and apparently a great success.

I have enjoyed my years as an active member of the IWC very much. I am very happy to see that the Club is a meeting place for all nationalities, that you all work together, share experiences and interests, establish new friendships and also devote time and money to important charities. The Club is a United Nations in miniature, but with less squabbles!

My best wishes for the continued success of the IWC.

Sissi Rasmussen

The only IWC founder member still living in Stockholm year 2006
(photos: Sissi 1976 and 2006)