How did you find out about AWCH ? By the time we arrived in Hamburg , I already had three of my four children . I was looking for a playgroup , and the consulate told me to contact the AWCH . The first club meeting I attended was at Carol B ’ s house . Allene P . hosted the first meeting of a new AWCH playgroup . Allene and I still get together , and our daughters stay in touch .
How has the club changed over the years ? In the early days , activities were mainly luncheons and coffee mornings — everyone got dressed up . Most members lived in western Hamburg , where their children attended the International School ( I lived in Halstenbek , and my children went to German schools ). Today members are younger , more diverse , and live all over the city .
How have you been involved in the club ? In the 1990s , I traveled to many conferences . I was AWCH president
1997-98 while Becky T . was president of FAWCO . At that time , I served on the FAWCO nominating committee and was the coordinator of club presidents .
What has meant the most to you about the club ? Networking , meeting people with different interests , and finding not just American friends but interesting women of varying nationalities .
Do you have favorite memories or events ? I loved one cooperative intercultural evening at Fabrik with international music , dancing , and food in which I ( wo ) manned the AWCH info stand next to a Palestinian women ’ s organization . Also , at the consulate ’ s request , Becky T . and I visited American prisoners for a time at Santa Fu , Hamburg ’ s high-security prison . The annual Film Group Oscar parties at Nancy T .’ s are always wonderful .
HEIDI K .
Member since 1981
You are German , born and schooled in Hamburg . How did you find out about AWCH and why did you join ? My husband worked for an American company . From 1965-68 , he was in Japan as the company ’ s first German representative there . We then spent two years in Sweden and were back in Japan again , in Nagasaki and Kobe , from 1972-77 . Our younger son attended a Japanese-English kindergarten and later was a boarding student at the Canadian Academy . Back in Hamburg , my husband met Carol B . at the American Club , who invited me to come to an AWCH lunch . I was happy to find an English-speaking international community with experiences similar to my own and wanted to keep up my English .
What board and / or coordinator positions have you held ? In the 1990s , I revived and for many years organized our Out-To- Dinner Group for members living in the northeastern suburbs . Back then , most AWCH activities took place in the western suburbs , where a majority of our members lived near the International School . I also helped Beatrice Sch . with the layout of Currents and served on the board as treasurer . I was representative of the AWCH on the Hamburg Regional Women ’ s Counsel ( Landesfrauenrat ), where I reorganized their library of resources on women ’ s issues ( Hamburger Bibliothek für Frauenfragen ) and worked as a librarian for about six years .
Heidi K ., Becky T . and daughter Simone , Karen P ., and others ca . 2000
How has the club changed over the years ? It ’ s hard to say . I will be 90 this year and can only get around with a walker so it has been a while since I ’ ve participated in events .
Do you have a favorite memory or favorite event that stands out ? A FAWCO meeting in Berlin , but I also liked the biannual dinner dance we used to hold at the Atlantic Hotel , a cooperative event with the Anglo-German International Women ’ s Association . And I enjoyed the bridge and book club get-togethers , which we took turns hosting in our own homes .
Any advice for new members ? Participate as often as possible and don ’ t hesitate to start your own activity if it is not offered . www . awchamburg . org 27