A History of the American
Women's Association of Rome
The idea of creating an American women's club was first conceived by a dozen American women residing in Rome. American Ambassador to Italy Clare Boothe Luce supported the idea and encouraged the group to pursue the initiative and form the organization.
At first, the group met at the home of Mrs. Cecil Gray, wife of the Consul General of the United States. Marian Bohle was appointed as acting president to serve until a general election could be held. Each member of the founding group undertook the task of inviting ten American women to an organizational meeting held at the Casina delle Rose. One hundred and fifty women accepted the invitation to join, and Greta Dahlgaard, the Swedish-born wife of an American citizen, became the first elected president. On April 21, 1955, AWAR was born.
At the organizational meeting, Ambassador Luce anticipated the 1975 International Women's Year with the declaration that "the strength of any community is gauged by the role women play in it." As the first Honorary President, she took a personal interest in creating and sustaining AWAR and offered ongoing support throughout her stay in Rome. The wives of succeeding U.S. ambassadors have continued to serve as Honorary Presidents of AWAR, each one adding her personal stamp in an effort to carry the standard and raise the goals of the association
From its incipience, AWAR has always emphasized its American character. For the first twenty years of its history, the membership roster was comprised of women who were U.S. citizens or the wives of U.S. citizens. Since May 1975, the daughters of U.S. citizens became eligible for membership. In 1980, the Constitution was changed to include a new category of Associate Members, and by the close of the 1988-1989 season, the Associate Members represented 21 nationalities. In December 1986, AWAR was registered with the Italian government as a non-profit organization.
In 1979 AWAR initiated the single-slate system of elections. In 1980 the Association made the decision to move up the club calendar by one month and hold elections in April rather than May. The passing of the gavel was duly held in May. The decision was reversed in 1983 when the membership voted to ressure the original club calendar with elections in May and the gavel passing in June, a practice that has remained as a fixed tradition.
A special category of membership, Sustaining Members, was established in 1975 for individuals and companies interested in lending financial support to AWAR. Friends of AWAR, was implemented by Honorary President Joan Secchia and AWAR President Kathie Pensinger (1992-93). The AWAR Board has followed this initiative by continuing a policy that would enhance the AWAR yearly budget by accepting contributions. Friends of AWAR is incorporated under the Sustaining Membership Chair.
Since 1963, AWAR has maintained office headquarters along with a business secretary. Located originally in the Hotel Flora, it moved to the Cavalieri Hilton in 1966, to the Hotel Boston in 1974, and to the Hotel Quirinale in 1979. Since 1993, the AWAR office has been located in the Hotel Savoy. The office is open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings from September to June.
AWAR's yearly dues are 5O euro (approximately $80.00). Annual dues for Seniors (over 65) and Juniors (under 30) are 40 euro The dues in part cover the ordinary expenses of the Association. Fund raising events and sales of publications have bolstered income. Publications include "Cook's Tour," an AWAR-compiled cookbook (1969), Helen Cola's "Instant Roman Living" (1973), Nicoletta Alegi's "Rome for Children" (1982) and Virginia Valentini's "Destination Rome" (1993). These publications and fund raising projects also support AWAR's educational and charitable projects.
AWAR holds a club season of high-quality social, cultural, and educational programs. Monthly general meetings are organized for members and guests, usually in the form of luncheons with renowned guest speakers. Originally the luncheons were held at the Hotel Excelsior, then at the Cavalieri Hilton. When the Hotel Boston followed as headquarters, frequent coffees were substituted for luncheons. In addition, outings to other hotels or restaurants were organized. In 1979 the Hotel Quirinale became the usual AWAR luncheon site until 1992 when, under agreement with the Savoy Hotel, four luncheons were to be held during the calendar year and the remaining luncheons at other restaurants. AWAR has a long-standing tradition of holding meetings in historic palaces and unusual sites not open to the general public.
In 1979 Mrs. Richard Gardner, wife of the American Ambassador to Italy, generously offered to hold a garden party at Villa Taverna, the Ambassador's residence, as the setting for our September "Benvenuto." The gracious gesture has become an ongoing debut to the AWAR season as the subsequent wives of American Ambassadors to Italy: Mrs. Maxwell M. Rabb, Mrs. Peter Secchia, Mrs. Reginald Bartholomew and Mrs. Melvin Sembler have graciously continued to welcome AWAR. An elegant tradition has been established as each year AWAR members return, newcomers join us, and guests from the Roman community participate in the September meeting with its light gourmet American refreshments amid the splendid garden surroundings provided by our Honorary President. In 1990 the name of this event was changed to The Annual Garden Party at Villa Taverna. When restorations were undertaken at Villa Taverna, Mrs. Leslie Cunningham, our Honorary Vice President graciously offered her home, Villa Pinciana. This elegantly restored 19th century home is the site of many prestigious events.
Neighborhood orientation coffees for newcomers have served to ease some of the tensions inherent in settling into a new city. These gatherings introduce new members to the variety of activities offered by our Association. Starting in 1993, the AWAR Orientation Day for new members grew from an in-club presentation to a more encompassing, in-depth program including guest speakers, among them the Consuls General who annually describe the services offered to American citizens abroad. John Cabot University , the American University of Rome and the European School of Economics have all made their facilities available to AWAR for this event.
AWAR's special interest groups have offered a variety of pursuits for members interested in music, language, arts and crafts, history, theater, culture, sports, education, environmental protection, concerts, museum visits, literary discussions, excursions, and other options. Activities such as the tennis group, yoga group, bridge group, opera group, mother/toddler group (for members with small children), bowling group, bridge group and many more remain constant offerings, or form and reshape each year according to the interests of the current members. AWAR has offered the Professional Group composed of members in the work force. The Fact Forum regularly schedules programs of excursions or seminars addressing topics such as health problems, women's legal rights, banking and investing in Italy, and other vital concerns.
AWAR's communications medium, originally called the "Bulletin," passed several stages of development. It began as a mimeographed page and grew into a 16 page illustrated booklet. In 1973, it changed its name to "The Forum," and from 1975 onward used offset printing. In October 1985, an outside publisher was contracted to give "The Forum" a new format. This agreement lasted until March 1987 when AWAR severed relations with the publisher. Since April 1987, the newsletter has appeared under the new title, "The AWAR Forum" and is published nine times per year to coincide with the club season September through June. Now prepared with a computer, the publication has doubled in size and contains a full description of Activities plus original articles, news items, and original artwork, all contributed by members. In 1955, AWAR published its first yearly membership directory. In 1987 the "AWAR Directory" was offered to the members in the form of a spiral binder generously donated by one of our Sustaining Members, Bolliger Crown Lance ltalia s.r.l.
In 1963, Sustaining Members were contacted for the purpose of obtaining funds to provide for a centrally located club quarters. Later the revenue was designated for AWAR's charity and scholarship funds. At the present time, this money goes to the Association's general expenses and to supporting charities under the auspices of the Community Services Chair. Funds allocated for charity are awarded according to the principles of the AWAR Constitution and voted upon by the members of the Executive Board.
AWAR's Community Services include a variety of charitable enterprises which allow personal participation in the aid given to the elderly, orphans, refugees, the handicapped, and other needy people. In times of crisis, AWAR has responded with donations to flood and earthquake disaster areas in Italy and elsewhere. For a number of years, in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate General, AWAR's hospital visiting committee members have visited Americans hospitalized by illness or accident. Since 1963, AWAR has been a major contributor to a fund for nonresident Americans in distress, a program which is administered by the U.S. Consulate.
AWAR's scholarship advisor committee has chosen recipients for help in the educational field. In 1959, AWAR made its first contribution as a cost-of-living supplement to an Italian student holding a Fulbright Scholarship for study in the United States. For many years AWAR continued its cooperation with the Fulbright Commission by offering an annual award of $1,000. Later, the scholarship fund went to a needy Italian female student attending CEPAS, the school of social work affiliated with the University of Rome, for the training of graduates in social service. In 1980, two grants were awarded of l,000,000 lire each: one to a Fulbright Scholar and the other, a special anniversary award to a member's daughter for study in America. AWAR has also offered a scholarship to either Boys' or Girls' Town to enable the recipient to continue training in his or her field. AWAR regularly contributes to the FAWCO Scholarship Fund which awards scholarships worldwide. In 1998, FAWCO scholarship funds totaled $39,000.
Since 1967, AWAR has annually presented a "Peace Through Knowledge Award" to American students who have achieved distinction in the study of Italian culture and language at each of the four international high schools in Rome. In June 1987, AWAR was proud to be awarded a generous grant of 3,000,000 lire from the Italian Cultural Ministry (Il Ministero per I Beni Culturali ed Ambientali). These funds enabled AWAR to purchase a much needed office copier. The remainder was used to co-sponsor a highly successful exhibition of works by women artists to commemorate the centennial celebration of the founding of the International Council of Women. Again in 1988-89, the Ministry awarded a grant for 3,000,000 lire to fund a one-day symposium, "Women and Society: Potential, Opportunity, and Realization" which was held in November 1989.
In 1958, AWAR became a member of The Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas (FAWCO). Founded in 1931, FAWCO currently represents some 16,000 women from 74 clubs on six continents and 36 countries. FAWCO devotes itself to their interests including education, employment, the environment, and U.S. citizens' concerns. FAWCO is recognized as a non governmental organization (NGO) by the United Nations and attends United Nations conferences. Through its relationship with FAWCO, all AWAR members are eligible for transferring their memberships to other FAWCO clubs.
The FAWCO Citizenship Committee has worked continually on United States laws and legislation affecting Americans living abroad. The activities include testifying before the U.S. Congress. FAWCO was an organizer of The Global Town Meeting held in Paris in 1990 and is a founding member of The World Federation of Americans Abroad (WFAA) with a liaison member in Washington, DC. FAWCO publications include "The Handbook for the American Faintly Abroad," "University Education in the United States" (a college planning guide), "'The FAWCO Fundraising Book," and "Women and Work" a comprehensive collection of work laws and job opportunities in twenty countries overseas. The FAWCO Foundation awards annual scholarships to students whose mothers are members of FAWCO clubs and one yearly award to an adult for continuing education.
The FAWCO Relief Fund was established at the time of the Mexican earthquake. The fund has aide d a women's project in Sierra Leone, The American Women's Club of Kuwait, and women and children in refugee camps in Bosnia. Materials concerning FAWCO activities are available in the AWAR office and are continually updated as AWAR regularly receives FAWCO communications pertinent to the needs and interests of Americans living abroad.
AWAR sends delegates to FAWCO's biennial conference and interim meetings, but all AWAR members are eligible to attend. FAWCO conferences have been held in Rome in 1967 and 1977. Three AWAR past presidents are also past presidents of FAWCO: Elizabeth Tine (1961-63), Mary Walker Mag (1965-67 and 1967-69), and Elaine Senigallia (1981-83). Nancy Thornley, AWAR President (1991-92) served as its third vice-president from 1981-91 and also chairred the Sites Committee and wrote the fund raising book.. AWAR President Lee lacovoni (1977-78) has served as FAWCO Foundation President and as the Scholarship Awards Chair. AWAR President Joyce Ahrens (1970-71) and former AWAR Executive Board Member Chickie Payne have also served on the Scholarship Awards Committee. Currently two AWAR members volunteer in FAWCO: Elaine Senigallia serves as a Counselor and Lee Iacovoni serves as Foundation Counselor.
AWAR membership is renewed on a yearly basis. Affected by the short-term assignments of government, business, and professional personnel, AWAR averages a yearly turnover of 25-35%. The original membership of 150 doubled in the five years and grew to a peak of 430 in the mid-eighties. The current membership continues to fluctuate but tends to remains around 300.
AWAR upholds its Constitution, adheres to its Bylaws (including a "Practice and Guidelines" book inaugurated by President Nancy Thornley in 1992 and updated regularly), and offers its members the opportunity to make friends, cultivate new interests, and help others in need.
Revised: 07/15/07