IW Highlights Issue 2017

Spring 2017,
Volume 1, Issue 1
Summer 2017,
Volume 1, Issue 2
Fall 2017,
Volume 1, Issue 3
Winter 2017,
Volume 1, Issue 4
September February 2018, 2017, Volume 2, 1, Issue 13
CELEBRATING LIVES ACROSS THE FAWCO WORLD

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
How did Inspiring Women get started? 4
Reflections on the first year from the Editor 5
Rebranded Women - Spring 2017 6
Women in Design - Summer 2017 10
Women in Education - Fall 2017 13
Women in the Arts - Winter 2017 16
A Club Inspires 19
Regional Inspiration 22
Introducing Our Writers 24
How Can You Get Involved 25
Advertising in Inspiring Women 25
Inspiring You 26
The Inspiring Women Team
Christmas Party, December
2017 (via Skype)
The Inspiring Women Team:
Editor: Liz MacNiven, at large member of AIWC Cologne, Germany
Advertising: Elsie Bose, at large member of AWG Paris, France
Cover photo coordinator: Marie-Bénédicte Luxem, AWC Zurich, Switzerland
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FAWCO would like to thank Esquire Group for underwriting Inspiring Women as our
Premier Sponsor.

I do my best thinking when I take a morning walk. On a hot morning in early June 2016, I began
to think that in the over 20 years that I have been involved with FAWCO and The FAWCO
Foundation, I have always been in awe of the women who volunteer their time and talents to the
organization. They have amazing personal histories that are full of achievements.
So, I wondered, if there is this much talent working actively in FAWCO, there must be others in
the clubs who also have amazing skills and CVs. How do we connect them, not only with
FAWCO, but with each other? Could we create an accessible platform to highlight their different
gifts in a way that might potentially strengthen our network?
Parallel, and not necessarily unrelated to this, I wanted to engage more advertisers and sponsors
to support FAWCO – a concept that was entertaining and would have popular appeal. Maybe a
magazine, like Vanity Fair, but that seemed too expensive to produce … WAIT A MINUTE! WE
HAVE THE INTERNET!! WE HAVE ONLINE PUBLISHING!
A few days later, I had lunch with then FAWCO President, Monica Jubayli, and pitched my idea.
She was very supportive and gave me the green light to move ahead. I asked her about a
suggestion for the title. In her very calm and serene way, she said simply, “Inspiring Women.”
Soon afterwards, current President, Sallie Chaballier, worked the FAWCO network to find an
Editor. We could not believe our good fortune to have found Liz MacNiven. As Editor, she brought
this idea to fruition - virtually - in every way.
The two of us worked via Skype throughout the next months to fine tune the concept. We
wouldn’t have the benefit of conducting in-person interviews nor the luxury of following our
subjects around to get the “essence” of who they are. We would have to rely on a questionnaire
that probed and prodded our profilees in just the right way to get the best from them.
“Uncharted waters” were more like “uncharted cyberspace.”
In March 2017, we launched our first issue at the FAWCO Biennial Conference in Mumbai. Since
then, the magazine has gone from strength to strength. In the late summer, Marie-Bénédicte
Luxem joined the staff as the Cover Photo Coordinator. Her contribution has exponentially
improved our work.
At its heart, this magazine is a tribute to you, the FAWCO club members. It has created a frame
that highlights the brilliance that shines through from you. We hope you like it and recognize
yourselves in it.
Elsie Bose
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Reflections on the first year from the Editor
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Amongst the terror attacks, natural disasters, humanitarian
catastrophes, political and other events, there were a number
of things that happened in 2017 which were truly inspiring,
especially for women.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary chose “feminism” as its word of the
year and it didn’t take long for women’s voices to rise up to be
heard. It started with the Women’s March in January. Following
the inauguration of American President Donald Trump, men,
women and children marched with feminist signs and symbolic
pink pussy hats to send a message around the world. This
historic public display of support for women’s rights in a global
mass protest included approximately five million participants.
At the end of 2017, women came together again globally with
the #MeToo campaign which supports women and girls who
have been the victims of sexual violence. Millions of women, from more than 85 countries, took
to social media to share their experiences.
Here in FAWCO, 2017 was a special year with the launch of
the Target project, Hope Beyond Displacement, Educating
and Empowering Refugee Women and Girls in Jordan (an
initiative of Collateral Repair Project). Through the Backing
Women campaign, clubs began fundraising.
Then at the Annual Conference in Mumbai, we launched our new online, digital magazine
Inspiring Women. The magazine comes out four times a year and is sent out via email. Want to
have a copy of Inspiring Women delivered to your Inbox? Sign up here (Go to https://
www.fawco.org/about/publications/inspiring-women.)
The magazine that you are currently reading is a highlights edition comprising some of the
profiles and features from the four issues of Inspiring Women published in 2017. We are thrilled
to have been able to give a voice to 36 of the many inspiring women from our 11 regions
across the globe that form this incredible organisation. Many of these women don’t think they
are especially inspirational but whatever they think, each one of them does have an inspiring
story to tell and we are proud to have been able to do that.
Each magazine has a focus and we look for about 10 women to profile from across the globe
who fit that theme. The candidate merely has to complete a questionnaire about her life
(which takes about 30 minutes to do) and send that, along with some photos, to me here at
Inspiring Women central! You can nominate yourself or someone you know from your club who
has an interesting story. Just get in touch with me as soon as possible.
I hope you have enjoyed the 2017 issues and I encourage everyone to contact me with ideas
for features you would like to see, suggestions for women to profile, and to sign up to receive
the digital magazine. For now, I would like to personally thank the behind-the-scenes team of
proofreaders who do an incredible job making this magazine the best it can be, and my coworkers,
Elsie and Marie-Bénédicte, for being such fabulous people to work with. It’s been a
pleasure, ladies.
Best wishes, Liz x
Liz MacNiven, inspiringwomen.editor@fawco.org

Rebranded Women - Spring Issue, 2017
Our first issue’s theme was inspired by two things: the new branding of FAWCO, which
had taken place over the previous year, and our interest in finding out how FAWCO
women adjust, evolve and soar in their life’s journey through new places and new
challenges. In our search of women to profile, we asked:
“Is there a member of your club who arrived with a CV full of accomplishments in one
field and, for any number of reasons, found a new vocation and has made a name for
herself in a totally different field? Accountant to minister? Banker to sculpture artist?
Lawyer to chef? Teacher to charity worker?”
For the first issue, we selected women whose personal values, “their brand,” was
transformed and validated by the choices they made. They chose to embrace the
changes in their lives and draw their strength from the power and energy of their
personal transformation.
BELLA PAOLA GUERRERO
American Women’s Club of Finland,
From: Equador
Lives: Espoo, Finland
I was born in Ecuador to a working
class family. My parents grew up poor
and had to work to survive from a very
early age; their lives were not easy.
My father had only finished elementary
school when he suffered the loss of his
mother in an earthquake. My mother
was born in the countryside and was
sent to the city to live with an older
sibling, but did not have the
opportunity to finish elementary school. As they set up a life together and had children of their
own, they wanted a better future for them. They realized the importance of education and
worked very hard to make that possible for us. Therefore, my siblings and I were the first ones in
our extended family to attend university and in my case, the first one to study at a university in
the United States.
What I will always remember is that no matter how much work my father had – and he worked
three different jobs at a time – Sundays was our sacred day. We started our mornings with some
old time classics my mother used to play in her LP player. Our day continued with a nice brunch
of shrimp or clam ceviche, and then off to the countryside to play volleyball, basketball, tennis,
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swimming, etc. My life was
carefree through the end of high
school, when I moved to the
United States.
I love my family, and having to
be separated from them took
such a big toll on me that for
many years I resented my parents
for having sent me away. Of
course, they knew what they
were doing. They were also hurt
by my absence, but nothing hurt
them more than when I said I
would not be coming back, as I
had found the love of my life. A
month and a half after arriving in
Boston, I met David. We became
friends and soon after, a couple. I
married him a year later.
While we were a young couple I
worked in a few different jobs –
from receptionist to dental
assistant to legal assistant. I
enrolled at Bentley University to
study finance. My dream of
studying in the US came true.
After graduation, I left to work at
a bank. Thereafter, I worked for a
financial institution, in healthcare,
and then for an NGO. What a
rewarding experience – from
managing a $5B fund to helping set up an NGO whose main purpose is to serve underprivileged
children in Ecuador. The salary was great, but the most satisfaction I received was when we
delivered much-needed medical equipment to a hospital in need in my home country.
My life up to that point was fast-paced until we moved to Finland for David’s job. Since our move
was meant to be temporary, I took this opportunity to make the best of it. What a country Finland
is! There are open parks in every corner for children to play in outside; there are indoor facilities
for families to come together and play, have coffee, chat and listen to music; there is pure
nature (forests, sea, walking trails) right in the urban areas. Our children were 3 and 1 years old at
the time, and having the opportunity to enjoy my time with them was precious! Maternity leave
in Finland is up to 3 years! I was only able to take 12 weeks off in the US when I had both of them,
so I made the most of it. Finland is the best place for families. I fell in love with Finland without
even knowing it!
Our temporary assignment kept extending, and now we’re in our ninth year! I’ve learned the
language and had a third child. Our children have grown, and without knowing it, they’ve gone
to school and become part of our trilingual, multicultural, multi-religion family household. We
decided to stay and set up a business of our own.
Why winemaking? Winemaking was a hobby for many years in the US and coming to Finland, we
could not find grapes, but found amazing delicious berries. Our hobby and passion continued,
and we get to give back to our new home country by creating wines that are proudly Finnish.
Between the abundance of Finnish berries, the pure natural environment and long summer days,

we were able to create wines with strong, exceptional flavors. And so our wine is not made in a
vineyard, but to reword a common saying in the US, “great wine is made in the wilderness.”
And so I look to change perceptions that Finland cannot produce good wines, but inspire Finnish
people to be proud of its unique terroir and fabulous berries!
GETTING TO KNOW PAOLA
What 5 words would you use to describe you at
your best and your less than best? Caring,
involved, active, generous, warm. Demanding,
perfectionist (to a fault), overworked, caring
too much.
Describe your ideal day. Spending more time
playing with my children and husband,
traveling around the world and experiencing
new cultures, seeing new places and tasting
savory dishes.
If you could start all over again in any city or
country, which one would it be and why?
Espoo, Finland. It is a great place for all the
right reasons: beautiful environment, values
education, physical activity, work-life balance,
human and animal rights.
If you were moving back to your home
country, what would you miss most about your
host country? The peacefulness and quietness.
What things do you miss most about your
home country? Having family get together,
plus hugging and kissing everyone!
Which book that you’ve read recently would
you recommend? Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg.
It reflects on women’s roles in this society and
how in order to integrate fully, we need to lean
in to others for help. It was such an affirmation
of what I already knew, and it helped me
realize that my full potential has not yet been
met. I would always hold myself back, sit at the
side of the table and be afraid to ask
questions. The book reflects on everyone’s role
in achieving a better society and equal rights
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not only for women but for all – and how we
all lean in to make this happen.
If you became leader of your host country for
a day, what would you do? In Finland, try to
create a culture of more open
communication and less shyness.
If you could do any job in the world for one
day, what would it be and why? A clown, to
make people laugh and forget their worries. I
would visit hospitals, hospices, nursing homes,
day care centers, schools, government
buildings, malls, prisons, slums, everywhere -
just to see smiles.
Of all the people you have met in your life,
whom do you admire most? My mother is the
person who I admire the most because she
has demonstrated throughout her life that
everything is possible. She is auto-educated
and gave a better life to her children; she
became a US citizen by passing the
citizenship exam with only broken English, is
learning Finnish – you will soon hear her
speaking Finnish fluently – and you can even
find her on Facebook!
The person who has had the most impact in
my life has been my husband. He has been
my rock and support from the day we met –
he is the person who I can lean on.
If you could meet one famous or influential
woman, alive or dead, who would it be and
why? It would be an honor to meet many of
the great influential women. But simply for her
courage to stand up to the biggest threat to
society, I would love to sit down and talk to
Malala Yousafzai about her plans for the
future. The biggest threat is an uneducated
population, and I admire her fight for
education for all - especially women - in her
home country. Her inspiring life is one that I
think many of us would like to emulate.
Want to be sure you see the
next issue of Inspiring Women as
soon as it comes out? Click
here to have it sent directly to
your mailbox!
Go to www.fawco.org/about/
publications/inspiring-women
Or scan the QR code.
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Women in Design - Summer Issue, 2017
The theme for our summer issue was about women who design — taking an idea
beyond the point of creation. We were interested in the process of vision to design to
fruition. We wanted to know if the exposure to different cultures moves people from
their vision or enhances it. And what defines a designer’s success? We asked:
“Is there a member of your club involved in the wide world of design? Perhaps she is an
architect, a town planner, a graphic designer, dressmaker, engineer, interior designer,
landscape/floral designer, textile/fashion/jewelry designer? In her field, has she done
something of particular interest? We are looking for someone who designs and has
done something with it; where the design became more than just a sketch on a
pad.”
We weren’t surprised that we received such accomplished designers. We were greatly
impressed by their stories. Their work, which is in a wide range of disciplines, re-defined
that word.
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TOSIN AROWOJOLU
Individual Member of FAWCO
From: Nigeria
Lives: Bahrain
I was first introduced to FAWCO in 2012 while I was
the president of AWA Bahrain. Since then I have
attended two regional meetings: the first in Doha,
Qatar in 2013 and then in Amman, Jordan in 2014. I
also went to The Experience and Stand Up Against
Human Trafficking in the Netherlands in 2016 and
recently attended the Biennial Conference in
Mumbai. I co-presented a workshop “When
Displacement Becomes Personal” at the regional
conference in Amman and also in Mumbai and I
am a member of the FAWCO Human Rights Team.
I am originally from Nigeria and in 1990 immigrated
to the USA. I have lived in Bahrain since 2009. I
moved to New York in 1990 from Nigeria to
complete my Masters in Civil Engineering. From New York, I moved to Los Angeles to work for
the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works in 1992. I worked there until 2005 and
resigned shortly after the birth of my first son. I worked primarily on projects that were related to
the waste water treatment plants that the City ran as a construction project manager. In 2009,
after my second son had been born, I moved to Bahrain to join my husband who had been
working in the Middle East since 2001. At first I was a stay-at-home mom and then I took on the
presidency of the AWA (American Women’s Association) from 2011 to 2013. During my term, we
were honored to be the first non-Bahraini NGO to be awarded a grant, which we used for a

quilt project with various organizations, groups,
individuals etc. each submitting a block-sized 25”
quilt square.
The purpose of the Bahrain quilt was two-fold:
a. through the process of quilting to foster a
spirit of community and unity and by
patching together quilt blocks made by
different organizations and individuals –
both Bahraini and non-Bahraini - we
wanted to reflect in a literal sense the
“social fabric of a nation”;
b. to educate women in the art of quilting so
they can use it to empower themselves
economically by using it as a means to
give themselves a livelihood.
Our completed quilt was an astonishing 13m x 3.5m
having 90 blocks. The AWA later received an award
from the Bahrain Ministry of Social Development in
recognition of this effort.
We also organized and raised funds through different
events such as the first ever International Parade
called “It’s a small world” highlighting over 40 countries, a spring ball, craft fair and our main
biennial fundraiser, the Cherry Tree Trot, which is one of very few charity walk/run events in
Bahrain that is focused on the mentally and physically challenged.
I have two sons, Dapo, 12, and Seth, 8. They both attend the British School of Bahrain and
enjoy various after school activities such as piano, drums, Taekwondo, chess, basketball and
swimming. My husband, Andrew, was born in England so is both British and also Nigerian. We
met while we were both studying Engineering in Nigeria. He works for a telecommunications
company in Kuwait and flies home every weekend to be with us. It can be rather challenging
for him to be away during the week, so we try to spend as much time together as a family on
the weekends.
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My life has evolved significantly from being a
construction project manager. Today I have a
business as a certified leadership trainer, coach and
speaker with the John Maxwell Team.
Now I work with businesses, individuals, organizations
to improve their leadership and communication skills,
through one-on-one coaching, group coaching,
workshops, lunch and learn and keynote speaking. I
have traded in my hard hat and steel-toed boots
needed for construction sites to being more flexible
with my time and wardrobe.
Over the years I have had the wonderful opportunity
to work with some amazing people who have
wanted transformation in their lives. For me being
able to share their journey of change is profound
and I consider it a privilege that they want me to be
part of it. So now, as a result, I am also continually
being transformed.

GETTING TO KNOW TOSIN
If you were moving back to your home
country, what would you miss most about
your host country? After living in the US for
almost twenty years, that is my home country.
I have lived in Bahrain for almost 8 years. If I
were to move, I would certainly miss the
hospitality of the people. I have met some of
the nicest people here and made some
lifelong friends. I also have been enriched by
meeting people from literally all over the
world and it has been a great experience for
us as a family.
What things do you miss most about your
home country? I miss being able to go for
long scenic drives while enjoying the change
in scenery from place to place. I also miss the
beautiful blue skies with clouds you feel you
could touch and greenery. Of course, friends
and family too. Things can be pricey here in
Bahrain so I always look forward to shopping
and picking up the latest home gadgets
whenever we go back home. As a former
amateur competitive ballroom dancer, I miss
being able to do different styles of dance. I’m
thankful that we do have dance here but it is
limited in comparison.
Which book that you’ve read recently would
you recommend? I would recommend the 15
Invaluable Laws of Growth by leadership
expert John C. Maxwell. I have been
interested in personal development and
growth since I was a teenager. Being a very
shy girl, I wanted to learn how to be more
confident and assertive. Although I am not so
shy any more, I still have plenty of areas for
improvement of course.
The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth has helped
me be more intentional about my life, learn to
focus on my strengths and increased my
desire to add value to others.
Of all the people you have met in your life,
whom do you admire most? I have an
incredible mother. Growing up, she wanted
to be an architect but was discouraged by
her family and told it was not a profession for
women. Undeterred, she went on to become
a nurse, which supposedly was more in line
with a profession for women. She was not
bitter about having to choose a different
profession but made the best of the
opportunity given her. She is very hard
working and while working full time she also
started her own business, a book shop. She is
a great example of a mother, mother-in-law
and wife and I hope that I can emulate her.
If you could meet one famous or influential
woman, alive or dead, who would it be and
why? Oprah Winfrey has always amazed me.
Although she had very humble beginnings
and major setbacks, including poverty, sexual
abuse, teenage pregnancy, drugs, and could
have been understandably dissuaded, she
did not waver in her pursuit of having a life of
significance. Not only is she is considered by
many to be the world’s most powerful
woman, she is also
a g r e a t
philanthropist who
i s c o n s t a n t l y
looking to help
those in need.
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Women in Education - Fall Issue, 2017
The theme for the fall issue was a “no-brainer”. As FAWCO clubs entered into the
beginning of their membership year, many would focus on the Target Program:
Education, Empowering Women and Girls through Knowledge and Skills. We believed
that the choice of our theme, “Women in Education” would support those efforts. We
knew this issue had to be special. We asked:
“Is there a member of your club involved in the wide world of education? She could be
involved in a traditional role, in academics - or she might be an educator who has
traveled a different path; a school administrator who has made a difference or
advocate working to improve education in her community. A lecturers, trainer, sports
coach, sports instructor; any kind of educator, in fact! “
The women we selected for the issue were blessed with a special vision. Their mission
was to bring education to everyone — whether in traditional settings or outside their
comfort zone. Because education is absolute: with it, we have everything; without it,
we have nothing.
MEGAN MORRIS
American Women’s Club of Düsseldorf, Germany,
From: San Antonio, TX, USA
Lives: Düsseldorf, Germany
My teaching career began three years ago. I
currently teach at The International School on the
Rhine in Düsseldorf, Germany. I was previously
working in the Austin Independent School District
(AISD) in Texas.
I have always had a passion for helping others,
and I think that I naturally evolved into a teacher. I
remember “teaching” my stuffed animals, and
then moving on to my younger brothers. For me,
there is no better feeling than watching someone
on their learning journey as they begin to
understand concepts that previously confused
them. I believe that my desire to help others,
partnered with my passion for learning and
education, inspired me to get into this field (and continues to inspire me every day to stay in this
field).
As a teacher who used to work mostly with older elementary students (grades 4 and 5), and
now works in first grade, I think that my biggest evolution as an educator has been tailoring my
practices to a (much!) younger crowd. It has been a bit of a challenge to me, because there is
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a massive difference between working with 5- and 6-year-olds versus working with 10-year-olds. I
have become a much more patient person, and I sing and dance in class far more than before. I
have learned to really enjoy my precious moments with the younger children — they are truly
brilliant beyond compare!
I think what surprises me the most about my profession is how similar children are no matter where
they are in the world. I have worked in different schools with children of varying socioeconomic
status, in the USA and in Germany, and it never fails to surprise me how much children love to
learn. Now working with a classroom of children from all over the world has been a separate
challenge. It has caused me to evolve into an even better teacher, as I am often faced with the
task of not only communicating with but teaching children who may have very little English skills. It
seems that no matter where you go, as long as children have their needs outside of the school
hours met, they will always have an absolutely insatiable thirst for knowledge. Kids never fail to
surprise me.
The most important thing that I have learned is that you must embrace whatever teaching
situation you are in and give your students 100 percent effort everyday. Teaching is a gruelling
and (for the most part) thankless profession, and you have to have a very positive attitude and
make the most of your time with your kids.
The most important thing that I teach kids is how to express their emotions in a healthy way. There
is a new wave in teaching to work on “Social and Emotional Learning” with children, and I think
this is without a doubt the most important thing I work with my kids on. It is amazing to see young
children speaking to each other with respect and showing awareness of their emotions!
GETTING TO KNOW MEGAN
If we looked in your purse,
what would we find?
Hand sanitizer! Especially in
the wintertime, when you
work with kids this is very
important. I also tend to
be very busy so you will
almost always find a snack
in my purse because I am
constantly on the go.
Lastly I always have ticket
stubs from various places,
mostly museums, floating
around in my purse. I enjoy
spending my free time
learning and I love art and
history too, but I also tend
to be a bit messy when it
comes to my personal
space, hence all the stubs!
If you were moving back to your home
country, what would you miss most about your
host country? German public transportation is
life-changing! I am from Texas, where public
transportation is a joke, and it is great to have
options for getting somewhere. I think that I
am also required by my German residency
allowance to say that I will miss German
bakeries, though American soft pretzels have
nothing on their German counterparts!
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Which book that you’ve read recently would
you recommend? I might be late to the party,
but if you have not read Girl On the Train by
Paula Hawkins, you need to! You could not pay
me to put it down while I was reading it, and it
had such a great storyline. Definitely worth the
read if you enjoy thrillers.
What has been your favorite vacation? My
favourite place that I have been is Luang
Prabang, Laos. It is a beautiful small town that
was heavily influenced by the French and it is
gorgeous! There are waterfalls and great food,
and you can ride your bike through the entire
town. Absolutely amazing!
If you became president of a country for a day,
what would you do/change? Oh man, if I were
president of the United States for a day it would
be quite a busy day. I think that I would
definitely want to change the way education is
approached in the country. Public schools are
in desperate need of funding, teachers are
stretched thin on too-low salaries and still
expected to buy their own supplies for their
classrooms, funding for non-academic
programs that have been scientifically proven
to help children is being cut, children from lowsocioeconomic
environments are not being
served in ways to help them succeed, the list
goes on and on. Among many other huge
issues I would want to tackle, these are some
very real problems education faces in the USA.
What personal motto do you live by and how
does it affect what you do/don’t do?
“Do it with passion or not at all” — Rosa
Nouchette Carey. I love this quote because it
describes me perfectly. I believe that if you
commit yourself to something, you should do it
100% or not at all — no one benefits if you do
something only halfway. I will never commit
myself to anything unless I am sure that I can
give it my best effort, and when I am truly
passionate about what I am doing then I don’t
mind all the extra work and hours I put in.
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Women in the Arts - Winter Issue, 2017
This issue was a feast for the eyes! The perfect theme for the dark days of winter. There
was never any doubt that FAWCO clubs possessed members with amazing artistic gifts.
The choices would be difficult! We asked:
“Filling a space in a beautiful way, that’s what art is to me” — Georgia O’Keeffe. The
winter issue will be devoted to FAWCO club members who have found a beautiful way
to fill the space — and have made an impact through their work. Their
accomplishments can be in any art discipline — we leave it for you to decide, “What is
Art?”
Art is everywhere, but it takes a unique talent to harness it and re-imagine it in a
different form so that mere mortals can enjoy it. Our collection of profilees were
outstanding artists from a wide range of mediums, as well as those who work to
preserve art by sharing its history with others or creating exhibits for others.
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JAN FARARA
International Women’s Club of Antigua & Barbuda,
From: Great Britain
Lives: Antigua, West Indies
I’ve drawn since I could hold a pencil. Art was never a
choice for me, it’s what I always wanted to do. It just
took a while for me to get there. As a child I drew
anything that would sit still, mostly portraits of my family.
There were six children so there was a lot of scope.
When I was about ten, the headmistress of my school,
who was an artist herself, recommended that I should
go to a high school in London where I would have the
opportunity to study art as 50 % of my lessons. At 16 I
passed my Art A-Level (this was the level of exam for 18-
year olds) and switched to a college that had a very
good art program. I wasn’t actually aware of it at the
time, but the college became very well known for its
‘60s art graduates.
After two years in this art program, I remember my mother saying, “Now you are 18. When are
you going to work to help with upkeep; we can’t afford to keep you.” This was not an
uncommon attitude in the Britain in the 1960s. My father was violent with all of us (and I’m sure
with my mother too) so earning enough to leave home was on my agenda anyway.
I briefly tried working in the design office of a large chain of shoe stores in London, earning very
poor wages. The design office set the general design for all their stores, so I wasn’t allowed to
do much artistically! I mainly copied lettering, which I still hate to this day, but I have a steady
hand and eye, so I’m quite good at it.

I decided enough was enough and left to
work in an office environment. I wasn’t trained
for anything. I couldn’t type, so I taught myself
and became a receptionist for a company in
London, representing car dealerships all over
the UK. The only art I did during this time was
graphics and again the hated lettering.
Sometimes I was sent to the big motor shows to
help. I realize now I was the “eye candy.” It
was all very sexist in those days.
Then a girlfriend of mine went to Cannes with
her boyfriend and suggested that I come with
them. I was more than happy to leave the UK,
though, as my goal in life was NOT to live my
mother’s life. In France I managed to get a
weekend-only job. Here I was taught to make
“Independence Day”
ratatouille and fish soup. It was great soup with fresh
cream and garlic and green beans and lots more. This was all quite amazing to my English taste
buds and thus began my love of food, cooking, eating and, of course, wine!
When I started my first charter job in the south of France, I bought a very large, very serious
cookbook. It was invaluable to me. We spent time sailing up the Italian coast buying asparagus,
strawberries, fresh bread, cheese and, naturally, wine. My charter guests (especially the Italians)
taught me how to make pasta, stuffed peppers and ratatouille, although I had already nailed
that, thanks to my French boss!
At the start, I couldn’t sail or cook, but I learned very quickly and, to cut a long story short, in 2
years I gravitated from crew to wife. My husband wanted to return to the Caribbean, so we
sailed to Barbados where, on Christmas Day 1970, I put my feet in the sand, was handed a rum
punch and a Rasta danced with me. I was sold; I was never leaving the Caribbean. From
Barbados we sailed first to Grenada, then up the island chain to Antigua.
Antigua became our base and it was always my favorite island. In 1975 I “jumped ship” and got
divorced. I met my second husband, who was born in
Antigua, and we got married in 1980. I had our
daughter a year later and started running a restaurant
at a small hotel. We brought Dawn up on the beach. It
was an unforgettable time. I painted and put my
works up on the walls and sold them, when I had time.
Between a baby and a restaurant and two teenage
stepsons, there wasn’t much left over. We opened a
restaurant nightclub in town in 1989. On the surface, it
appeared to be very successful, however, my
husband wouldn’t admit that we were losing money. I
left him in 1994; he was another bully. Some of us do
indeed marry our fathers, don’t we! At this point, I had
to do what I knew the best to earn money to support
my daughter - the restaurant business.
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“Shucking corn”
My husband died in 1999 and left me with some
serious debt. I lost my house and the business, but I still
had a daughter to finish raising, so I moved to a small
apartment, and sent my now 17-year-old daughter, to
the UK to live with family for a while.

I have my present husband, David, to thank
for my art career as, after a last attempt at
starting a café on my own (which I closed
after one year), he said, “Why don’t you paint
again, this time full-time?” My first and second
shows were successful and so it began.
Another mentor, Kathy Bowling, started
buying my paintings as fast as I could finish
them and sometimes before! She was the
interior decorator for Jumby Bay, an offshore
island for millionaires.
I’ve been doing this for 12 years now and am
the main breadwinner, which is stressful at
almost 73. But, I’m proud that I always get
back up and that I’m self-sufficient and independent. Believe in yourself - always! There will be
detractors, but they don't matter. My art is getting better every year, even at 72.
My studio is in our bedroom / loft; I’m so glad that I have an understanding husband LOL! I love
this, as I can prepare dinner, catch an old “Law and Order” episode, take the dog for a walk,
make my husband lunch and paint. Often my inspiration is Antigua. Every day, I see so many
pieces of Antiguan life: people, flowers, trees and mostly the sea. I take loads of pictures and
most mornings I scroll through my iPad looking for ideas. I can see how my art has grown over the
years. Thirty years ago, I felt I had to paint a definite view of something. Now I just take an idea
and then make it something else. I want a feeling and I love the Impressionists. My work is bright
and happy and, I hope, a reflection of me. I’ve never had a tortured soul or reservations about
life; just bring it on and I’ll deal with it. I learn something new every day and hope to continue to
do so.
I’ve loved my life, although it’s been hard at times financially. I love sailing; it’s the best freedom
in the world. I’ve loved running restaurants where the greatest satisfaction is a happy customer. I
tell students who ask my advice: “Never give up your talent. If you believe, you will get back to it,
no matter what throws your way.”
GETTING TO KNOW JAN
If we looked in your purse/wallet/pocket/
handbag, what three things would we find that
would tell us something about you? A
notebook, a tape measure, and my iPad. I go
to large beautiful houses to meet the owners, I
measure the space, write my observations
down and then show them possible images
they may like.
What one thing would you change about
yourself if you magically could? Only my
age. I wouldn't change another thing. I was
blessed with many talents but one life isn't
enough to use them all.
Where is the most beautiful place in the world
you have been? Antigua is the most beautiful
place to me. I can vacation here any day I
want to. Now it feels like my home country,
and it has been for 47 years.
Tell us something interesting about yourself
that not many people know. I’d have loved
to sing for a living, or been a presenter. I was
born in 1944 and the opportunities to do that
were not there.
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A Club Inspires
There are 65 FAWCO clubs of all sizes and shapes in 34 different countries across the
world. “A Club Inspires” is a feature in Inspiring Women where you will learn more about
one of them.
AWC Liechtenstein from Region 6 was our Feature in the Summer Issue
I must admit, never in my wildest
dreams did I imagine I would be
living in Liechtenstein. It’s just not
the kind of place you even
consider. But here I am now, a year
and a half later, speaking phrases
of the local dialect and enjoying
knowing another way of life.
Liechtenstein is tiny; only about
35,000 people call it home. You can
drive from one side of the country
to the other (the long route) in
about 25 minutes. The entire
country is located in the Alps and
makes you want to put on a Julie
Andrews skirt and twirl and sing.
And did you know we have a
prince, a real, live prince.
Being the anomaly that it is,
Liechtenstein takes some getting
With the prince on Prince Day (August 15)
used to. Luckily, I knew small town
life from being raised in Kentucky
but to my good fortune I didn’t remember that everyone would know who I was while I was still
looking at them as passing strangers. I would wave anyway knowing that eventually I would
know who they were. I’d walked into another world where everything looked familiar but
nothing was done in quite the same way. I am sure you can relate.
I tried to meet people quickly. If someone extended an opportunity for connection, I made
sure I always said yes and I told people what I needed: friends. Through this, it was
recommended that I search out Beth W., a musician and an American from California,
because she is part of the AWCL (American Women’s Club of Liechtenstein). Bells dinged in my
head. THAT was exactly what I needed. So I found her, playing a gig, and told her I was new
here. I’d married a man from Liechtenstein, who I had met traveling, and we decided to put
down roots. I said that I didn’t know anyone and asked her about the club. She was instantly
19

20
my friend and I
joined the club
not knowing how
beneficial an
experience it
would be.
The AWCL isn’t
only for women
l i v i n g i n
Liechtenstein, as
that would be a
puny number. In
order to live in
Liechtenstein you
must be from here,
or married-in. Most
expats live right
over the border
and make the
daily commute to
work because
they don’t have
permission to live
here. Our club is composed of women from the Rheintal Valley (named after the river, Rhine,
which runs along the border) and includes small parts of Switzerland and Austria too. We have
24 members as of now and six of us are on the board. I took the role as the FAWCO
representative spontaneously after two months in the club.
The purpose of the AWCL is to bring together women from the USA living in Liechtenstein, Austria
and Switzerland; to further their companionship and promote mutual interests; to enhance their
understanding of the Rhine
Valley, Vorarlberg and
especially the Liechtenstein
area; and to promote
mutual interests between
USA citizens and regional
residents. We were founded
in 1994 and have been a
member of FAWCO the
whole time.
As our club is small, we are
a tight-knit group of
women. It is almost as if
you’ve suddenly acquired
m a n y c o u s i n s w i t h
connections, all in the same
situation. Although some of
our members have been
here 20 years they, of
course, all still strongly
i d e n ti f y with being
American. Although we try
not to stand out too much,
we always will. What is
AWC Liechtenstein Board: Susan ( President), Beth S. (FAWCO Rep), Marilyn,
(Secretary), Beth W. (Website), Ursina (V.P.), and Emanuela (Treasurer).

special about us, though, is that we are a strong support system for each other: through the
unfortunate experiences of custody battles, cancer and uncertain times to the celebrations of
birth, the laughter over shared foreign experiences and the planning of events. We celebrate the
Fourth of July together, as well as Thanksgiving with a Swiss twist. We go bowling and take walks
through the Alps followed with fondue. We play music, make art and live a life full of new things.
Our annual meeting is in Feldkirch, Austria in February. It is a time to elect (or re-elect) our board
members, discuss and plan and come together for a special dinner.
We also think of others. This year we donated to three global charities. Saving children in Nepal
(www.nagnepal.org), Swiss-based aid for Africa (www.jam-schweiz.org)and Hands-on help for
the poor, sick and suffering worldwide (www.isohimpact.org).
The AWC of Liechtenstein is an eclectic group. You’d probably never lump us together if we
were living in the same town in the US but here we share a common thread and friendship.
Susan, our president, has been living here many years and works as the friendly and gentle
dental hygienist. Beth W., who manages our website and makes our lives shiny and light, is a
professional musician and photographer. Emanuela, who is Italian by birth, collects the olives
from trees and makes oil. She also designs and sells cashmere sweaters made in Italy. Marilyn is in
a rock band and teaches English. Ursina is our Swiss vice-president and our local expert. She is
also periodontist. As for me, I am Beth S., a traveler, an adventure seeker, and a new mother of a
4-month-old baby girl.
We share a pretty high quality of life here and we know we are fortunate. Having the opportunity
to join women from the US offers us camaraderie in our woes and our joys and knowing that we
are also a part of something larger, such as FAWCO, reminds us that we are never alone. Living
abroad gives us the opportunity to see not only the vast differences in the world, but to gain the
eyes to see what connects us all. We are all in this world together no matter what our stories are.
Hope to see you in Liechtenstein some day!
Elizabeth Schädler, AWC Liechtenstein FAWCO Rep
(www.awc-fl.net)
View of the Valley with the Rhine taken from Liechtenstein. Switzerland is
across the river. Photo by Klaus Schädler
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Regional Inspiration
The world according to FAWCO is divided into eleven geographical regions plus FAUSA:
REGION 1 — England, Ireland, Scotland; REGION 2 — Nordic Countries, Russia; REGION
3 — France, Spain; REGION 4 — Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg; REGION 5 —
Germany, Austria; REGION 6 — Liechtenstein, Switzerland; REGION 7 — Africa; REGION 8
— Greece, Italy; REGION 9 — Middle East; REGION 10 — The Americas; REGION 11 —
Asia/Pacific.
Each region is different both in terms of how many clubs it includes and the nature of
those clubs. In Inspiring Women, we introduce one region each issue and ask the
Regional Coordinator for that region to tell us more about what goes on there.
Region 11 was our Feature in the Fall Issue
Region 11 covers Asia/Pacific and currently we have five clubs: American Women’s Club of
Perth (Australia), American Club Shanghai (China), American Women’s Club of Mumbai
(India), American Women’s Club of Korea (Korea) and American Women’s Club of the
Philippines (Philippines).
My name is Jodie Sovak and I am the new Regional
Coordinator for Region 11. I grew up in New York, NY but I
have lived in India with my husband since 2004. I am a
member of the American Women’s Club of Mumbai where I
have acted as Parliamentarian at AWC annual Board
meetings. I also had the pleasure of coordinating the
speakers for the most recent FAWCO Biennial Conference
that took place in Mumbai.
Region 11 is so vast that it presents a challenge. I have yet to
visit any of the clubs other then my own, but now that I am
the Coordinator, I am super keen to do so. I want to find
ways that we can stay connected and share ideas. I am new
in my FAWCO role but after meeting amazing women at the
Mumbai conference, I look forward to digging in! FAWCO is
about friendship and a global force of women advocating
for women’s issues worldwide.
I have been in the world of education for many years. After graduating from Vanderbilt
University in 1994, I moved back home to New Jersey and taught high school mathematics in
both public and private schools in the New York metropolitan area for the next decade. In the
final two years, just before moving to India, I was a full-time graduate student at Montclair
State University where I taught undergraduate math courses while completing my Master’s
degree in Mathematics.
22

Five years after moving to India, it was a thrill when I was able to return to a school setting with
my then three-year-old daughter to start her life as a student. It was shortly after that I joined the
American School of Bombay team, first as an Admissions Officer and later as the Head of
Community Relations. Being a parent and joining an international community of families has not
only been a great privilege, but it has really helped me to broaden my perspective.
It was my own teachers that had inspired me to get into education! I grew up in suburban New
York and attended my neighborhood public schools. Some of my teachers back then still stand
out as amazing and inspiring role models. I wanted to have that same impact on young people. I
continue to be surprised every day by what students are capable of when given the opportunity
and encouragement. Early in my career, I worried a lot about giving knowledge and skills to my
students. My thinking has really evolved over the years. I have learned so much from the students
with whom I have had the privilege to work and we have built so much shared understanding
together. It’s a two way street.
I have come to learn that the relationships and connection I have with students are incredibly
important. I can have high hopes for my students academically but they have to trust me and
believe that I have their best interests at heart. The most important thing I believe I can teach
students is to know themselves as learners. That is, help them to understand how they learn best
and how to prioritize what is important. In other words - be life-long learners.
For me, it’s all about the individual students that I have had an impact on over the years: the
young women that were in my higher level math classes, the undergraduates that were trying to
satisfy (with fear and anxiety) their math requirements, and the families that were relocating to
Mumbai for their first international postings.
Recipes to Inspire You from Region 11
FROM AUSTRALIA: Anzac biscuits are an
Ozzie favorite! They were sent by wives and
women's groups to soldiers abroad in the
First World War because the ingredients do
not spoil easily and the biscuits kept well
during naval transportation.
Anzac Biscuits
85g rolled or porridge oats
100g flour
85g coconut
100g sugar
100g butter
1 tbsp golden syrup
1 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp boiling water
1. Turn oven to 160°C. Lightly grease oven trays.
2. Place oats, flour, coconut, sugar in big mixing bowl.
3. Melt butter and golden syrup in saucepan. Take off heat.
4. Mix baking soda and boiling water in a cup. Add to melted butter mixture in the pan.
Quickly add to big mixing bowl. Mix well.
5. Roll tablespoonfuls of the mixture into balls. Place on trays 5cm apart. Press lightly with fork.
6. Bake for 20 minutes.
23

Introducing Our Writers
As a contributing writer to Inspiring Women, I am honored to
communicate with my FAWCO sisters through my musings about
life as an expat American living in Europe. I know many of you
have similar stories. How privileged we are to romp through our
cross-cultural lives—sharing our own traditions, crossing borders,
and celebrating our differences and similarities.
I have a crazy, wonderful life—juggling concert performances,
writing projects, and the daily business of keeping my artistic
skills spit-shined, buffed, and ready to roll. Whether I’m writing for IW magazine or performing
benefit concerts for our current Target project, there’s nothing I treasure more than working
alongside my FAWCO sisters as we join forces for positive change.
FAWCO friend Laurie Richardson, paraphrasing Walt Whitman, took me aside after one of my
benefit performances and said: “We are large. We contain multitudes.” FAWCO’s fearless
women, buoyed by hope and Sauvignon Blanc, have worked tirelessly to transform the lives of
marginalized girls around the world. We do small things in a great way. We speak up, push, and
brawl with the big bad boys when necessary. We contain multitudes. We belong.
Robin Meloy Goldsby's solo piano career has taken her from Pittsburgh to posh New York City venues
and exclusive resorts, and on to the European castles and concert stages where she now performs.
Robin, a Steinway Artist, has seven recordings to her name and has appeared in the USA on National
Public Radio’s All Things Considered and Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland. She is the author of Piano
Girl, Rhythm, Waltz of the Asparagus People, and Manhattan Road Trip.
Currently, Robin is the featured pianist at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst in Cologne, Germany. Her latest
recording, Home and Away, launched on November 26th, 2017. You can visit Robin’s web page
at www.goldsby.de.
AN ARMCHAIR MEETING OF MINDS
How meaningful and exciting it always is to find myself in a room
full of vigorous women exchanging ideas, learnings, experiences,
and encouragement, all in a bid to move to action. FAWCO’s
Inspiring Women magazine is more than a metaphor for these
exchanges – it is the incarnation of this room, yet available from
my armchair 24/7, with a few clicks of the mouse.
I contribute my time and talent to Inspiring Women because I
believe in the power of its mission: to inspire all FAWCO women to
use their skills, talents, and passions to impact the global
community. I am honored to complement those inspiring women profiled in each issue with an
article offering a different perspective on the chosen theme. I aim to use my passion for writing
and coaching to move women closer to their dreams – closer to their potential as agents for
positive change. And I relish the opportunity that Inspiring Women gives me to share myself –
through the written word – with its readers.
Jane Mobille is an ICF Professional Certified Coach, as well as a facilitator, editor, writer, and pianist.
Previously, she had a 10-year career in telecommunications and as many again in music. Jane runs
a coaching practice for individuals and organizations representing a diversity of ages, cultures, and
professions. She is a member of AAWE, serving as editor of its quarterly magazine. She also authors a
"Teen Coach" column at online magazine INSPIRELLE. Jane and her French husband have a 24-yearold
daughter, and two teenage sons.
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How Can You Get Involved?
We feature profiles of some of the wonderful women across the FAWCO world. If you know
anyone who has done something of particular interest and would make a good profile, please
contact the editor for more details
We would also like to feature cover photos taken by or of FAWCO members. There are various
photo themes, please get in touch for details.
Photos must be :
PORTRAIT orientation (landscape photos cannot be accepted);
Digital and Color, 150-300 dpi quality and 5-10 MB max.;
Taken by a FAWCO member with details of where and when the photo was taken.
Please send to Marie-Bénédicte at inspiringwomen.cover@fawco.org.
N.B. Photos will be credited but no payment for their use is possible.
Advertising in Inspiring Women
Want to Take Your Business to a Global Audience?
Advertise in Inspiring Women!
As an online magazine, Inspiring Women includes interactive features that
allow immediate reader feedback to our advertisers. Businesses can
promote products and services that our members can access through a
simple “click” from the magazine reader to the advertiser.
We believe that Inspiring Women creates a wonderful opportunity for
companies to access a worldwide audience of women who are leaders
in their communities.
Advertising with FAWCO offers these benefits:
1. Worldwide distribution.
2. A target audience of over 10,000 highly educated and successful women, predominately
in the key 25-55 age bracket.
3. Brand association with an organization of highly supportive and loyal members.
4. Numerous advertising platforms allowing members to immediately interact with advertisers
for products and services.
If you have a business or service, consider advertising with FAWCO. Never advertised before?
We can help you with your ad design, plan your marketing program or try to answer any
questions you might have. And FAWCO members receive special rates made to fit every
budget. Contact our Advertising and Sponsorship Manager, Elsie Bose. Her email is
advertising@fawco.org
We’re waiting to help you take your first step to making your business global!
25

Inspiring You
Founded in 1931, FAWCO is a global women’s NGO (Non-Governmental Organization), an
international network of independent volunteer clubs and associations comprising 65
member clubs in 34 countries worldwide, with a total membership of around 10,000. FAWCO
serves as a resource and a voice for its members; seeks to improve the lives of women and
girls worldwide, especially in the areas of human rights, health, education and the
environment; advocates for the rights of US citizens overseas; and contributes to the global
community through its Global Issues Teams and The FAWCO Foundation, which provides
development grants and education awards. Since 1997, FAWCO has held special
consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
FAWCO is an international federation of independent organizations whose mission is
• to build strong support networks for its American and international membership;
• to improve the lives of women and girls worldwide;
• to advocate for the rights of US citizens overseas; and
• to mobilize the skills of its membership in support of global initiatives for education, the
environment, health and human rights.
For more information about this magazine, please contact Inspiring Women Editor in Chief Liz
MacNiven at inspiringwomen.editor@fawco.org
For more information on how to advertise in this magazine, please contact FAWCO
Advertising and Sponsorship Manager Elsie Bose at advertising@fawco.org
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Thanks to all of our 2017 profile candidates: Beryl, Beth, Carol, Carol-Lyn, Carolien, Cecily,
Chantal, Cheryl, Elizabeth, Gema, Grace, Jan, Joyce, Judith, Judy, Julie, Karen, Katerina,
Katherine, Lee, Liz, Lorna, Louise, Lynne, Marjorie, Mary Kay, Meenakshi, Megan, Myra,
NgocDzung, Paola, Rosemary, Sabrina, Sharon, Sunny, Susan, Susanna, Susanne, Suzanne,
Tosin, Ulrike, Ve and Zakia.
Also to the ladies of AWC Toronto, Canada; AWC Liechtenstein; AW Surrey, England; Munich
IWC, Germany; and the Region 5, 9 11 coordinators, Angelika, Louise and Jodie. Thanks too
go to Robin and Jane for their contributions.
Special thanks to the IW proofreading team without whom the magazine would not be so
“pretty”: Sallie Chaballier (AAWE Paris), Laurie Brooks (AWC Amsterdam and AWC The
Hague), Janet Davis (AIWC Cologne), Janis Kaas (AAWE Paris/FAUSA), Mary Dobrian (AIWC
Cologne), Cynthia Lehman (AIWC Cologne), Carol-Lyn McKelvey (AIWC Cologne/FAUSA),
Mary Stewart Burgher (AWC Denmark) and Jenny Taylor (AIWC Cologne and Düsseldorf).
We are always on the look out for extra proofers. Please get in touch if you can help.
Thanks also to our 4 cover photo artists: Suzanne Wheeler (AAWE Paris), Clydette de Groot
(AWG Paris), Christine Humphreys (AW Surrey) and Eleanor Paunovic (AWC Zürich).
26

Inspiring Women
Advertisers Commit to Support the Target
Project
Three FAUSA advertisers have pledged 5% of their profits from FAUSA and FAWCO instigated
transactions to the FAWCO Target Project, Hope Beyond Displacement.
Janet Darrow Real Estate: : Janet Darrow, REALTOR®. A Certified
International Property Specialist, with Keller Williams serving those
looking to buy, sell or invest in Southern California. Janet works
with a network of Global Agents. She is never too busy for your
referrals. No matter where you are looking, Contact Janet First.
www.janetdarrow.com
BEMER: A Bio Electric Magnetic Energy Device (BEMER) that
may help you relieve pain, ease movement and enhances
energy. www.aahealthresource.bemergroup.com/en-us
The Pajama Company: An online specialty shop where you can
purchase pajamas for you, your family or friends. A fun day
starts and ends with pajamas! www.thepajamacompany.com
To purchase merchandise or services, please click on their website addresses above.
Please be sure to mention FAWCO!
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