Inspiring Women Magazine May 2021

FEATURE
A Club Inspires:
AWC Zurich,
Switzerland
Laurel McDonald, current Club
FAWCO Rep, from Littleton
Colorado, introduces her club to
us. AWC Zurich is one of four clubs
in FAWCO’s Region 6.
When and why was your club started, and by
whom? Our Cub was started in 1931 as The
American Woman’s Club of Zurich. Emma Sutter
was the first President. Our Club is a founding
member of FAWCO. The library has always been
an important part of our Club. In 1930 a portable
book exchange was housed in lobby of the Savoy
and in 1931, when the Club was officially formed,
a formal lending library was established in a
converted bathroom of the Baur au Lac Hotel. We
still have a library with lots of adult and children’s
books today.
How many members do you have and what are
their nationalities? We currently have 254
members, 28% being Associate members,
meaning ladies who do not hold an American
passport. Each of them, however, has some
connection to the US. For example, they lived
there, their spouse is an American, they work for
an American company, etc… They are from all over
the world. I would say that there are many expats,
but the core of the Club is mostly permanent
residents, many of whom have lived in Switzerland
for several years.
How does the club run? The Club has a board of
elected officials and two appointed positions,
FAWCO being one of them. Unfortunately, there
has not been a year in recent memory where
there was more than one candidate running for a
single position. We have plenty of committees and
activity leaders, but it can be a struggle at times to
get people to participate and take responsibility
for activities.
What kind of events do you have in your club?
We have many different types of activities offered.
AWCZ Members at the Halloween Party
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