International Women's Club of Stockholm

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40th Anniversary: Speech from IWC President

35th Anniversary: Speech from IWC President

IWC of Stockholm's 45th Anniversary celebrations the spring of 2006 - President Silvana Rizzi Lenahan

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The President's, Ishrat Lindblad's, speech at the IWC 40th Anniversary Dinner Dance in March 2001

Dear guests and members, old and new,
It’s my privilege now to welcome you:

At last the month of March is here
A most historic time of year;
In Rome, great Caesar’s fall astounded,
In Stockholm, IWC was founded.

Forty years ago to date
We gather now to celebrate
That in the home of Karin Frost
A group of ladies who felt lost,
Agreed to meet for monthly lunch
And from that trusty little bunch
Of founders numbering only nine,
We’ve grown 400 plus with time.

Jackie O’ Donnell’s written to say
(She was our first president, by the way)
She couldn’t have dreamt a club of fame
Would spring from that group without a name,
And prove such a boon to women here,
Who may find the North a bit severe
By helping them find their feet in Sweden
Which -- forgive me -- isn’t Eden.

I joined the club in ’65
And it sure helped keep me alive.

Of founders, Sissi’s the only one
Who still lives here but she has run
Off on a long-planned trip abroad
But told me we may rest assured
She wishes us a huge success
And all our founders do no less.

Many club friends from everywhere
Have sent good tidings for me to bear
And Princess Lilian, our patron dear,
Has said she’s sorry she can’t be here.

Princess Christina at one time
Would honour us in manner fine,
And then in nineteen eighty-two,
Princess Lilian became our Patron true.

Her radiant beauty, charm and wit
Make her attendance quite a hit:
The grant of royal patronage
Ushered in a bright new age:
Old “Stallis” grew too small for us
We moved to Opera’s grand “terrass”.

At Christmas time the Queen might come,
And some quaint items she has won--
A vacuum-cleaner, of all things!

Not quite the fittest prize for kings.
But then I hear the king himself
Has won some housepaint for his shelf--
Or, if I may His Majesty quote:
“ Just what I need, to coat, my boat”.

All in the game for as you see
We raise a lot for charity.

For we’re proud our club can give
To those who find it hard to live.

From farthest East to Baltic lands
We try to lend our helping hands
And much joy we get to hear
From foster children far and near:
Like when Doris, a child from S.O.S
Came with a gift for our Princess
Painted by the children there
To thank the club for showing care.

Many fond memories spring to mind
Of friends who’ve proved both true and kind,
Of trips to interesting places,
Of stately homes and smiling faces,
So many of our members true
Keep fixing things for us to do.

But at this point I can’t ignore
Our Presidents more than a full score
Who’ve served the club in days of yore.

They are now spread wide in many a land
But if you’re here , when named please stand.

Of Jackie, I’ve already spoken,
But the chain has not been broken:
We’ve had two Marys and one Maria
Each deserves her own aria,
Leora and Ardis Everett,
Were the first Presidents I met.

Dear Inga -Greta Hakansson,
To lead us twice, elections won,
For she’s a lady who in crises
Still guides us o’er the thinnest ices.

Catarina P. and Karin Frost
Would always help whate’er the cost.

Sissel’s wit and Pat Phillips
Have left me with a store of quips.

Lilian Wennerholm and Bridget--
Were wizards on a meagre budget
And Lilian’s husband Olle, he
Helped audit our books without a fee.

I still think often of Sharon van Dijk
A lady you’d be sure to like,
Then came Unni, Kay and Martha Urtubey,
Each was splendid in her own way;
Inka Tams and Patricia Seager
To do their best were always eager,
Hannelore and Monique,
Are both of them the peak of chic,
And what’s more, Hannelore
Is our International Coordinator.

Renate Gill earned much good will,
Elizabeth and Ruth --
Strong club pillars in truth,
Barbara Easter whose here today
Come all the way from the U.S.A.

But in spite of firm intention
Elske could not, so I’ll mention
That best wishes she sends us tonight
For the club’s great future bright.

Now lest you tire of this rhyme
I realise that it’s high time
To thank those who have fixed this do:
There’s Angela and Mary too
What would we do without you two?

To both of them we owe this show;
Charlotte and Silia helped I know
While Aldona carefully counted the dough!

Kay Olson’s provided all the pomp
By sending Marines to start the romp
Ernest and Gallo gave the wine, so fine
Cloetta Fazer the chocolates divine
The Sheraton’s staff has done their best
So now you all must do the rest.

If in this list of people to thank
I’ve left out one do give me a spank
For our club depends on friends like these
And a board that works real hard to please
But above all on our members dear
Who keep us going through the year,
Not to forget your partners true
Who help the club for love of you.

Well now my speech is nearly ended
But sister clubs have us befriended
By sending greetings from afar
To show they thinking of us are--

Ann Kristin Hagg from Goteborg
And Liese Nilssen from neighbour Norge

Are here to share this hour of glory
And that’s the end of my long story.

There but remains in Swedish style
To say “skal” to absent friends and smile
Eat, drink, and dance, be of good cheer
We are so happy that you are here.

Ishrat Lindblad

IWC of Stockholm's 35th Anniversary in March 1996 -- President Ruth Cederström's speech

A special IWC Dinner Dance with an international show was held on March 16th at Vinterträdgården, Grand Hotel. On March 12th there was a luncheon at Opera- terrassen, in the presence of Princess Lilian, to commemorate this special occasion.

Speech of President Ruth Cederström at the Dinner Dance:

Thirty-five years have passed since IWC Stockholm was founded in 1961. Since then our Club has grown from 9 founders in 1961 to almost 450 from some 60 countries. Many lasting friendships have been established - friendships over borders.

We are here tonight to celebrate this anniversary and to think about our founders with gratitude. I am honoured to be the President of our wonderful Club on this special occasion. I noticed with pleasure that so many guests are attending, who knows - new friendships may be established this evening.

Congratulations were received from the International Women's Club in the Hague, and our sister Clubs in Copenhagen, Gothenburg and Helsinki as well as from our former President Inga-Greta Håkansson - on vacation in Argentina and Brazil at present.

My gratitude goes to all Embassies participating in the sparkling show and to my very good friend Hannelore Randquist who worked on the idea and production of the show since last November. My thanks go also to Mrs. Dagny Helander-Wand, choreographer, Mr. Anis Randquist, Dr. Karl Wand and my husband for showing such patience and for assisting with practical matters.

Last but not least a big "thank -you" to our sponsors LUFTHANSA GERMAN AIRLINES and SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINE SYSTEM for their generous contributions.

A warm welcome to you all - I wish you a wonderful evening!

Ruth Cederström