AWCH news & Events
President’s Message
President’s Message
Happy fall, ladies!
I hope everyone enjoyed the summer and
spent quality rest time with your loved ones.
My husband and I stayed in town and met
up with some friends for a couple of outdoor
dining dates, and it was gratifying to be out in
the open air, enjoying the weather and each
other’s company after being cooped up for what
seemed like ages. It certainly helped keep my
spirits up.
This year was NOT what we had expected, and it
has been disheartening that AWCH was unable
to move forward with the many exciting events
we had “brewing in the pot.” However, being
strong and determined women, we quickly
adapted to the changes and met virtually online,
which made the isolation slightly more tolerable
and kept our sanity in check.
What have we been up to?
July: film screening of In the Name of Your
Daughter, an inspiring and intimate true story
about some of the bravest girls in the world, who
run away from home to save themselves from
FGM and child marriages. We were joined by the
filmmaker Giselle Portenier for a Q&A session
and by Tharien Van Eck, FAWCO Target Project
chair, who gave us an overview of FGM.
September: watch for the new Harbor Explorers
group with Ann G., Members Meet Members,
and the Women’s Circle events. Don’t forget to
check the Activities Calendar so you don’t miss
out!
After a busy summer and as the seasons change,
I want to talk to you all about the importance of
rest. This year I’ve been making conscious efforts
to focus on my mental health and wellbeing,
and I wanted to share some thoughts with you.
How to rest (productively):
1. Time in nature: go out and enjoy the Elbe,
the Alster, and the beautiful green spaces here
in Hamburg. Silence your phone and immerse
yourself in nature.
2. Be present: meditate. It’s the best way to quiet
the mind, and I can’t recommend it enough.
There are many apps available to help you get
started, and I personally love Headspace.
3. Get moving: we’d love to see you at one of the
weekly Walking Groups!
4. Friends: meet with your AWCH friends virtually
or in smaller groups.
5. Read more books: the Book Club has some
extremely powerful and compelling books lined
up.
August: the Book Club, Walking Groups, and
After Work Drinks met back up, as did New
Member Face-to-Face Meetup with Holly T. and
Member-to-Member Meetup with Ann G. There
was a screening of Iron Jawed Angels to honor
Equality Day–100 Years of Women’s Suffrage,
and 36 members and guests participated in
Laufend Gegen Gewalt, which raised money for
the Autonome Hamburger Frauenhaüser.
It‘s pretty imperative that we all work hard, but
that all seems pretty futile if we collapse from
exhaustion before we even reach our goals. So
take a breath, use every precious moment, and
take care of YOU.
Let me know how you’re doing at president@
awchamburg.org
Sincerely,
Julia R.
AWCH president
4 AWCH Currents Fall Edition