Inspiring Women September 2025

INSPIRING

WOMEN

The Phases

of

Womanhood

September 2025

Volume 9

Issue 3

Contents

September 2025, Volume 9, Issue 3

profiles

features

12

Connection and

Healing Through Music

Maartje de Lint turned her

operatic background

and love of singing into a

venture, helping dementia

sufferers and women coping

with menopause.

18

62

A Mission to Inform

Vivian Birn, a nutritionist

and hormone specialist,

talks about her holistic

approach to menopause.

68

9

The FAWCO

Health Team &

The Phases of

Womanhood

Since 2022, the

FAWCO Health Team

has been studying

the phases of womanhood experienced by

FAWCO members and conducting an ongoing

series of workshops and support sessions.

49

Lightning Round:

"My Current Phase of

Womanhood is ..."

FAWCO members share their

funny, heart-warming and

wise thoughts on their

current phase of life.

36

Picking the Boat You

Want to Be On

Christen Chen offers advice

to women from her own

experience on making the

difficult decision whether to

have children.

A Doctor’s Many Lives

Veronica Ventura has

worked as an obstetrician and

gynecologist in the US Army,

in private practice and with

an NGO in Cambodia. She

is currently renovating her

home in the Swiss Alps.

78

Reinvent Yourself at

Any Age

Dr. Lucy Andrews, a nurse,

doctor and dementia care

specialist, explains cognitive

decline and how to prevent it.

Ask for Help as

Soon as Possible

Adrianne Lind talks

about dealing with

grief after the death

of her parents

through writing,

counseling and yoga.

27

A Club Inspires:

AWC Korea

AWC Korea is a club on

the move with its hugely

successful charity gala

and an array of social

events in a dynamic,

history rich city.

75

Inspiring Reads:

Lessons in Hope

Juliet Cutler's new book

shares the inspiring stories

of more than 20 graduates of

the Maasai Secondary School

for Girls where she taught

over 25 years ago.

91

42

Juggling Multiple Roles

Katerina Gontora has led

a life dedicated to public

service, family and community,

including caring for her

parents in their later years.

84

A Global Citizen

in Tech

A successful high tech

executive, Jan Allen

shares the challenges of

adjusting to an “empty

nest” after combining

career and motherhood.

"She Let Herself Go"

Dina Honour writes about

the freedom that comes

from being yourself as you

enter middle age.

2 INSPIRING WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN 3

5

6

in every issue

A Note from the Editor

Meet Our Partners

94

95

Our Next Issue

Inspiring You

“The woman I was yesterday,

introduced me to the woman I am

today; which makes me very excited

about meeting the woman I will become

tomorrow. ”

– Poetic Evolution

a note from

the editor

7 Introducing This Issue 96 More About This Issue

97

That’s Inspired!

While we share some phases of womanhood, we

are all on a unique journey. I am sure you will

relate to at least one of the stories in this issue,

The Phases of Womanhood. I hope you will find

inspiration from all.

Our Partners

Throughout the years, FAWCO has relied on its partners and sponsors to support the

organization. This has allowed FAWCO to improve services and gives it the flexibility

to try the latest innovations and enhance the FAWCO experience. FAWCO’s partners

believe in our mission and support our goals; some directly support our activities

and projects.

We encourage club leadership throughout the FAWCO network to share our

publications with their membership. Our partners' values are closely aligned with

ours, with services that may be of interest to our members. For more information, or

if you have any questions, please contact the team: sponsorship@fawco.org.

Looking at my life thus far, I was lucky to be

born into a loving, stable family with supportive

parents and a sister who, to this day, is my

best friend. A key turning point in my story

was the choice my husband and I made not to

have children. I do not regret that decision.

Thankfully, the perception that women who

choose not to have children don’t like children

is not as prevalent as in the past. I have always

had children in my life. I adore my nieces. I

simply did not want children of my own.

That choice provided a great deal of flexibility

in my life. I was able to stop working at a young

age and join my husband as he travelled for

work. This ultimately resulted in what was the

most educational, enlightening, challenging and

exciting period of my life – that of an expat. This

provided an opportunity to expand our travels

and experiences in different countries. Living

in the Netherlands and Germany allowed us to

meet new people from diverse backgrounds.

I joined the American Women’s Club of

Amsterdam and, through them, became

involved with FAWCO. In Munich I was a

member of the Munich International Women’s

Club and became involved with The FAWCO

Foundation. Through these organizations, I

made lifelong friends whom I cherish.

My expat phase came to an end (at least for

the time being) when we moved back to the US,

and I entered my caretaker phase. I spent

several years caring for my parents. While not

always easy, I am so grateful I had those years

with them. During this time, I joined FAUSA and

gained the support of other repatriated FAWCO

members. I also worked through a phase

everyone will likely experience at some point

in their life – grief.

When my parents passed away, I entered a

completely new and unexpected phase –

that of a pet parent. Choosing a childfree life,

my husband and I always enjoyed a flexible

lifestyle with the ability to do what we

wanted and travel where we wanted, whenever

we wanted to do so. Adopting my parents’

senior dog certainly changed that. We adore

Otter and feel so lucky to have him in our lives.

For as long as we have him, he will be our

focus. He is surely the most pampered and

spoiled pup in the world. I know this phase will

end all too soon.

I wonder what will be next. My husband

recently retired. We will have options. Once

we no longer have Otter, we will have no

commitments keeping us in any one place.

Who will I become in the next phase of my life?

I am excited to discover what lies ahead.

Best wishes!

Michele

iw.editor@fawco.org


meet our partners

introducing

this issue

The State Department Federal

Credit Union (SDFCU) p. 11

FAWCO is honored to announce that

SDFCU was a Diamond Sponsor for the

2025 FAWCO Biennial Conference.

SDFCU has members worldwide, with

over $2.4 billion in assets. FAWCO is part

of the special field of membership, and

members can apply to take advantage of

their services.

Torino Accounting Group p. 25

FAWCO is pleased to introduce our latest

partner, Torino Accounting Group. The

firm specializes in tax planning, financial

audits, CFO services and accounting

solutions for individuals and businesses.

Torino’s expertise in cross-border taxation

and personalized strategies empowers

clients to navigate financial complexities

with clarity.

W1M p. 35

W1M (formerly London & Capital) is a leading

global wealth management firm, supporting

individuals and families with expert advice,

smart investing, and clear reporting. They

proudly served as a bronze sponsor of the

2025 FAWCO Biennial Conference.

Ponte Travels p. 61

More than a vacation! Discover journeys that

go beyond with FAUSA member Mary Stange.

Choose popular itineraries or have Mary

customize one for you.

LAUNCH Education Advisors p. 67

LAUNCH Education Advisors are experts,

who will thoroughly prepare your student

for university. Sara Bittner, co-founder, is a

member of AWC Amsterdam. LAUNCH

Education Advisors is a FAWCO Target

Program sponsor.

MyExpatTaxes p. 73

Filing your taxes from abroad just got easier

in 2025! Nathalie Goldstein, Enrolled Agent

and CEO of MyExpatTaxes, breaks down the

key updates every American abroad needs

to know. Everything from knowing the

basics to understanding the recent changes

can make tax season much smoother.

The Pajama Company p. 73

Ellie Badanes, AW Surrey/FAUSA member

and founder of The Pajama Company,

wants to make sure that your sleep time is

fashionable, comfortable and fun! FAWCO

members receive a discount with the

promo code FAWCO10.

Janet Darrow Real Estate p. 89

Contact Janet Darrow, AWA Vienna and

FAUSA member, to find the best properties.

Whether around the corner or a world away,

she can help. Successful FAWCO referrals

earn a donation to the Target Project. Janet

is now a FAWCO Sponsored Resource.

We appreciate their support!

My journey to womanhood started in the kitchen of a Quonset hut in Alameda, California. It

began with a conversation with my dad. That’s right, my dad. We were a young family at the

time and my mom had her hands full with a kindergartner, a toddler and a new baby. And, as

it turned out, my dad was somewhat skilled in this field. He had basically raised seven sisters.

I don’t know what the discussion was prior to the kitchen table conversation, whether it was

a heartfelt dialogue between my parents about my oncoming puberty or just a quick "rock,

paper, scissors," but there was my dad, in his naval uniform sitting with me and gently

introducing me to "growing up." My mom came in a bit later and talked with me, as well.

For the rest of my life I never hesitated to ask either of them questions about “girl stuff."

We talked about both the physical changes and how it would affect what I was feeling

emotionally. We rode that roller coaster together all the way through to perimenopause.

I was incredibly fortunate.

The importance of a woman’s mental health development is equal to her physical health

development. It may seem ridiculous to state this, but it has taken a long time for many to

put the two together. Our culture has aligned our journey to (and through) womanhood

almost solely with our biological changes. That is quite condescending – that our worth is

connected to our reproductive health. We simply do not receive enough information about

how these changes affect our mental health. Many of us have heard the comment, “It must

be your time of the month!” if we get a bit cranky, which was a back-of-the-hand dismissal

that how we acted had anything to do with our mental health.

The profiles and features in this issue are elevating and expand "what it means to be a

woman." Many of them are educational and informative and certainly "of the moment."

Others generously share their reflections on their personal journeys and choices. What I

sense from all of these stories is strength, possibilities and power. And my hope is that, when

you are finished reading, you will come away with the same sense, not only about them, but

about yourself. The journey is not a struggle, it’s a gift.

Elsie

Inspiring Women

Founder


feature

The FAWCO Health

Team & The Phases

of Womanhood

by the FAWCO Health Team

Tharien van Eck, AWC Antwerp,

co-chair of FAWCO Health Team

In 2022, the FAWCO Health Team embarked on a journey to try

to capture the myriad phases of womanhood that span the

FAWCO world. To create connections within and across the phases,

they created an ongoing series of workshops and support sessions for

the FAWCO sisterhood. Read on to discover, in their own words, the

framework that they have been building upon.

Image by the

Romanian artist,

Cornelia Tae


We are all on a journey through the phases of womanhood.

We have much to share and learn, and a desire for growth,

as individuals and as part of a community of women. Let’s

join together across these phases of womanhood as we

appreciate our strengths and embrace our vulnerabilities.

This is a continuum with a common thread that binds us

together throughout our journey. It is our wish that these

phases will resonate with FAWCO women as we discuss,

connect and understand more about our health.

The Health Team has identified five phases of womanhood.

These stages will be given personalities, images and

descriptions of who they are and what their challenges and

needs are in relation to health in all its forms.

Phase 1: Blossom

Blossom is at that first stage of womanhood. She has

raging hormones, acne and confusion with new unfamiliar emotions. Blossom has her

first period and her body develops in new and not always welcome ways.

Phase 2: Arise

Arise has so many questions and opportunities before her. Will she find a partner?

Will she start a family? What about her career and work? All these questions

and opportunities come with a set of challenges and even more questions.

The answers can be clear for some women and daunting for others.

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Phase 3: Balance

Balance is trying to keep life together, juggling everything and everyone’s needs –

often before her own. With a career, teenage children and less time to sleep and keep

herself healthy, Balance finds herself eating unhealthy meals and feels tired all the time.

Phase 4: Expand

Expand has so much room to move now. With the kids out of the house, there is a lot

of space, both in her home and in her life. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of space in

her waistband, and her body is in upheaval. The parents of Expand may need more

support, but she is uncertain how to approach them.

Phases 5: Wisdom

Wisdom has experienced so much in her life. Her ability to give her time and

guidance to family, friends and community has blossomed. It is also time to receive

when Wisdom needs support and someone to lean on.

To date, the Health Team has hosted two workshops in relation to the phases. Led by

Dr. Veronica Ventura, AWC Bern, two have addressed Phase 4: Expand. In October 2024,

the topic was “Perimenopause: How to Make Sense of the Puzzle,” and in April 2025,

they offered “Menopause and Its Effects on Bones.” Although it defies any phase, in

January 2025 the featured workshop was “Cervical Cancer: Screening and Prevention.”

They are hoping to offer the next workshop in September 2025.

If you missed the workshops, you can access the content HERE. The Health Team

continues to seek input from FAWCO members on the phases and aspects most

relevant to them in order to develop responsive content. For more information, or

to submit a workshop request, email the Health Team at health@fawco.org.

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profile

Connection and Healing

Through Music

Maartje de Lint, IWC Leipzig, is an opera and concert singer. She shares the

joys and challenges of being an artist and her latest ventures helping women

cope with menopause and dementia through singing.

Maartje de Lint

A Mother and Daughter’s

I

Common Passion

was born in Eelde, a small village in the

north of the Netherlands, and moved to

Heiloo in the west when I was four. I

was the third daughter and middle child.

Sensitive to social dynamics, I often tried to

keep the peace and make others feel good.

Singing always helped; it made me and others

happy. When people would say, “Maartje, sing

one of your songs,” I always did and loved to.

My mother taught me old Dutch songs. I sang in

the children’s choir and later in church. When my

mom was ill once, I was asked to sing the psalm

of the week in her place. I loved it. I sang

at fairs and parties, and I was never nervous.

Performing felt very natural.

I grew up with a strong feminist mother – quite

rare and brave for her time. She was my role

model: a talented singer, wildly creative and

delightfully unconventional. As a child, I often

joined her when she played accordion with the

Women’s Street Orchestra, performing songs for

freedom and equal rights. People used to say that

my voice sounded exactly like hers. They meant

well, but it took me a long time to embrace my

own voice. Singing gave me the confidence to

speak up. Teachers often said that I was too bold

and outgoing – I just couldn’t sit still. As a young

girl, with short hair that my mom

cut herself, people often mistook

me for a boy. I didn’t mind. I

loved racing boys and winning. I

wasn’t afraid of them – in fact, as In concert

I hit puberty, I realized they were

sometimes afraid of me.


At 17, I left home to study classical

singing at the Sweelinck Conservatory in

Amsterdam. I lived with a lovely family

as an au pair, caring for their three

young children. Although

surrounded by warmth, I felt

lonely. Some students were

jealous, and I didn't realize

why. Singing came so easily

to me, and as the youngest in

my class, I progressed quickly.

However, I often questioned

the purpose of it all and

even quit twice before finally

graduating. I went on to sing

both solo and chorus roles –

being on stage felt like

coming home!

Turning Professional and

Finding New Purpose

I joined the Dutch National

Opera Chorus and performed

solo roles in theaters across

Europe. I married in December

1998 and had twins – a boy

and a girl. It was the highlight

of my life. I continued performing, but longer

times away from home made me really sad. I

took on work closer to home and eventually

moved to Hoorn. In 2005, my marriage ended.

Being an artist is hard to explain; it took nearly

10 years as a single working mom to find true

partnership with someone who understood

music and my passion. We married in 2014.

Around that time, I began singing with people

with dementia, and, in 2016, I left the opera

and committed full-time to my business,

Singing in Care (Zingen in de Zorg). I now train

care-singers (zorg-zangers) and coach diverse

groups on improving quality of life and mental

well-being through song. Singing is not about

perfection anymore – it's about connection

and healing. I developed my own method:

BASE – Brain & Body Awakening Singing

Education, rooted in both science and

lived experience.

Top to bottom:

on right playing with

childhood friends ;

with husband

Top to bottom:

singing at a family party;

with her children

a constant journey of growth – I believe

we’re meant to keep learning. I never

liked giving singing lessons during my

studies to earn extra money. However,

teaching people how to use their voice

to bring comfort and connection is truly

powerful. Somehow, all my skills have

come together in this work. I feel most

alive – not by doing my best, but simply

by being myself, and I wish that discovery

upon everyone.

Challenges

Being a social entrepreneur is full of

challenges. I’m constantly networking,

learning and adapting. There are parts

I really don’t enjoy – like administration

or coaching people who don’t grasp the

deep sensitivity this work requires. It’s

frustrating to keep explaining that I’m not

just “singing songs to cheer people up,”

but training for vitality, healing and

opening long-closed pathways in the

brain and body. Scientific programs

often get big funding, but when I send

a thoughtful proposal, I hear: “we don’t

My mom passed away in 2019. I still miss

her humor and inspiration deeply. I wish

she could see me now – running my own

business, thriving and leading in my field. I

use my voice to bring healing, and I’m truly

happy in my work. Every day, I get to coach

beginning students. Along the way, I discovered

both the leader and the teacher in me. Life is


have the budget – maybe a volunteer

can sing?” That hurts. And yet, I

always somehow rise again,

even after sinking deep into

discouragement. I find a new path,

or simply stop wasting energy on the

wrong people. I’ve come to realize: I

am a pioneer. I never saw myself that

way, but this work demands vision,

persistence and trust. That is exactly

what I bring to the table.

What advice would you give to your

past and present self?

What a beautiful question! How would

I advise myself now? More and more, I

say with growing clarity and less fear,

“I no longer want these people in my

(working) life.” I call it healthy egoism

– or simply self-care. As women, we’re

often taught to be nice, to keep the

peace, to avoid stepping on toes.

We twist ourselves in a thousand

directions to care for others. But I’m

learning to care for myself, in my relationship, as

well. I’m lucky to have a wonderful partner who

loves me as I am. I speak up for the space that I

need, for my voice and my limits. I embrace my

leadership. My husband also has a leader’s

nature. So sometimes, we consciously decide

who leads when. And how liberating it is – to

lead with intention, but also, to consciously

allow yourself to follow.

Initiating Support Groups

I’ve been creating communities for years: the

Care Singers group of certified coaches, and

support groups: Singing for the Brain, Singing

with Women and Singing with Seniors. Each

group grows into warm, meaningful connections

over weeks, months and sometimes years. But

I only recently realized that I’m never truly in

those communities. I’m always the leader,

the guide.

Singing Promotes General Wellness

As a singer, I’m actually an alto – my voice

naturally resonates in the lower register. What

I’ve discovered is that singing in this lower range,

regardless of your vocal type (soprano, tenor,

bass), reduces the intensity of vocal frequency

and slows down the rhythm of breath and tone.

This has a direct, calming effect on emotion,

mood and heart rate coherence. It helps bring

the body back to a state of homeostasis – your

optimal inner balance. During menopause, or

any hormonal transition, this balance can be

disrupted. New sensations, mood shifts and

bodily changes can feel chaotic. Singing,

however, can be a powerful tool for restoration.

Here’s how singing supports you:

• z Increases body awareness and selfconfidence,

helping you tune in to your body’s

signals and respond more intuitively to

hormonal changes.

• z Strengthens your voice – literally and

metaphorically – so you speak up more

confidently at work or in medical settings.

• z Reduces stress, anxiety and pain by

boosting endorphins, allowing you to ride

hormonal waves with calmness and resilience.

• z Improves physical health by expanding

lung capacity, lowering blood pressure and

enhancing heart coherence.

• z Deepens awareness of the female body’s

unique physiology, which responds differently

to treatments due to the constant dance of

estrogen and progesterone.

• z Fosters social connection, giving you

space to share your story, feel seen and

reduce isolation.

• z In times of hormonal change, singing can

reconnect you with your sense of autonomy

and help you embrace your inner wisdom.

The Impact of Singing on Dementia

Working with people living with dementia and

their loved ones acquainted me with the weight

and complexity of the syndrome. Dementia is

not one single disease but an umbrella term

for over 40–50 conditions, each with different

expressions, depending on the person. It

involves cognitive decline and its impact on

both mental and physical processes.

Through my work with this population, I

witnessed the powerful effects of singing –

restored speech, renewed ability to

communicate, improved movement and a

more positive mood with reduced stress.

At the same time, I became increasingly aware

of the importance of prevention. The majority

of people living with dementia, about four out

of every six, are women. Neuroscientist Lisa

Mosconi’s research revealed how a woman’s

experience of menopause plays a critical role

in later brain health. This insight inspired me

to create a dedicated program for women. In

January 2023, I premiered this women-centered

singing initiative in Adelaide, Australia.

Top to bottom:

a career in opera – chorus role;

solo role

Maybe, deep down, I’ve been creating them

because I long to be part of one myself. So

now, I’ve started a new circle with like-minded

women. We’re dreaming of a living community

– up to 12 households sharing space, growing

our own food and supporting each other in daily

life. This is my true wish for the next phase of

my life: to live in connection, not just facilitate it.

We’re now looking for the right place – a

building, a piece of land – to make this dream

come true. Together.

Working with

people with

dementia


profile

A Doctor’s Many Lives

Veronica Ventura, AWC Bern, an obstetrician and gynecologist, has

worked around the world. She conveys her experiences in the Army,

creating an NGO in Cambodia, writing a book and giving new life to her

home in Switzerland.

From Illinois to Texas and Back

I

was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and

moved to Arlington, Texas, when I was six.

My only memory of Texas is vaguely

recalling tying a sled to the back of a car

during a rare snowstorm. I found an “essay” that

I wrote about it while going through my mother’s

keepsakes. From age nine to 15, we were back

in Illinois (Northbrook), and I went to the school

where Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was filmed. From

age 15 to 20, I lived in Walnut Creek, California,

where I married the boy next door, Michael Owen.

College, Marathons and Medical School

I moved out of our family home at age 20 to

attend UC Davis. My main interest at the time

was running, and I trained for several marathons.

That passion withered away at the same rate as

my knee ligaments. Now, I ride bikes – a safer

alternative. But we had some wonderful

adventures traveling around Northern California,

taking part in remote races on beautiful, littleused

trails. About 20 of us would show up

at some random state park, sing the national

anthem, then follow sketchy markers to

complete the half marathon course. Afterward,

we’d collect our t-shirts, find a spot for a huge

breakfast and argue about who had to drive the

two-hour ride home.

Veronica Ventura

I was thrilled to be admitted to

Tulane Medical School, but not so

much about the $21,000 tuition.

Operating

in Somalia


It’s almost comical today to think that $21,000

a year was astronomical, but it was, so I

accepted a health professional scholarship

with the US Army to pay for it. That decision

set the tone for my adult life.

Residencies on Army Bases

After medical school, I moved to Gig Harbor,

Washington, to complete my four-year

residency in obstetrics and gynecology at

Madigan Army Medical Center on Ft. Lewis

Army Base in Tacoma, Washington. With a

100-hour-a-week work schedule and 10 days

of vacation a year, my life revolved around the

hospital and my fellow residents. The law later

changed it to 80 hours a week.

I decided to spend the first year of my threeyear

obligation to the Army in Seoul, South

Korea. My husband’s company transferred

him to Tokyo, so we could be close. Later,

we completed the remaining two years in

Colorado Springs, Colorado, where I worked

at an Army base and the US Air Force

Academy. 9/11 occurred during that period,

and at the end of my obligation, I was sent to

Kuwait for Operation Iraqi Freedom. I wish I

could offer you interesting war stories, but

because not much happened at the beginning

of that war, we did nothing except watch two

episodes of M*A*S*H and Cheers after dinner

on CDs.

Studying with Harvard bling

Front row far left, with Army colleagues

Working in a COVID-19 clinic in Singapore

Treating Patients

Around the World

I left the Army in 2003 and moved

back to Tacoma, Washington,

where I joined a private OB/GYN

clinic. This was a wonderful time

in my life; I truly felt like a

community physician. My

patients and I bonded, I treated

multiple generations within

families and felt connected.

In 2007, my husband’s company

moved him to Singapore. Over

17 years, we made friends

who became family, toured

Southeast Asia, and I started

an NGO in Cambodia for a

postgraduate nurse education

program, ultimately establishing

clinics in rural schools. I worked

with Médecins Sans Frontières

at a refugee camp in Ethiopia for

Somalian refugees, volunteered

during the Ebola crisis in Liberia

and ran clinics in Ladakh, India

and Timor-Leste. During those

years, I split my time equally

between charitable clinics in

remote areas and caring for highend

patients in Singapore. Also,

during the last four years, I wrote

a book of fiction: Ryder Stephens.

I loved the contrast it offered to

other parts of my day.

The Unresolved Disparities in

Global Maternal Health

The threats to maternal health

will never be fully resolved.

Money drives everything. I was

paid $2.50 a day to deliver

babies in remote areas so

dangerous that I had military

escorts to the hospital. We

created innovative solutions to

manage complicated medical

emergencies, such as using a

condom filled with saline inside

the uterine cavity to staunch

postpartum bleeding. This is

in stark contrast to being paid

$1,000 for a simple operation in

a developed country, with more


Top to bottom:

nursery in Ethiopia;

Cambodian nurses studying text books

written by Veronica;

teaching skills to Cambodian nurses

amenities than needed, including air

conditioning, electricity and knowledgeable staff.

The world’s priorities focus on paying for

treatment in societies that are relatively stable.

Societies in need, without funding, will sadly

always exist. They may shift locations: Liberia

may prosper and need fewer resources, but

another Gaza will be created by yet another war.

The demand for global healthcare providers will

never end.

New Beginnings

In 2016, I concluded my NGO work to pursue a

Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at

Harvard. Though, sadly, I never applied it to

my career, it was a phenomenal program that

taught me so much, and the friends I made

there will last a lifetime.

We endured the pandemic in tightly controlled

Singapore; it ultimately prompted us to leave

after nearly two decades. Since 2009, we had

been vacationing in Wengen, Switzerland, and

decided to make it permanent. We bought a

300-year-old house in a quaint village, and my

husband's company transferred him to Zurich,

allowing him to work remotely from home.

That is now my life: sanding old wood, hacking

through an overgrown, abandoned jungle that I

can proudly call my garden and transforming my

life as an OB/GYN into a project manager for this

massive renovation.

Enjoying the Present Despite Challenges

I love my current life. Life in beautiful Switzerland

is peaceful, fulfilling, and adds years to my life

with fresh local produce, mountains to scale

and the mental challenge of not only learning

High German, but Swiss German to boot.

FAWCO has been a transformative experience.

Living overseas for 20+ years, I never had a

connection to such wonderful, inspirational

American expats until I linked up with FAWCO.

I aim to make the most of every situation

despite its limitations. When I can’t do

something I’m comfortable with, such as

practicing medicine, I switch gears to fulfill

my life in other ways. Today, I’m sanding my

basement walls to prep them for plaster,

then paint.

Lessons Learned

The cliché about not sweating the

small stuff would have been very

applicable to my younger self. I

wouldn’t have listened, but I should

have. I frayed too many nerve

endings worrying about how to open

the next door, forgetting that life

will progress whether you want it

to or not.

I would say that financial support

would have been welcome, but if that

had occurred, I would be a completely

different person than I am today.

I enjoy giving back. That’s why I

established the nurse education

program in Cambodia. The challenge

of working in low-resource, difficult

conditions was a thrill that became

an addiction. The less I had to work

with, the greater the challenge –

and the more I wanted to do. Until I

burned out. Then, I went to Harvard

and sat in an air-conditioned room.

Each Phase Opens New Doors

As described earlier, each phase has

contributed to my current status:

hh

If I had come from money, I

would never have joined the Army.

hh

If it weren’t for the Army, we

would never have moved to Asia.

hh

If it weren’t for the disruption

to my career as a community

gynecologist, I would have never

worked at a Singapore university

and explored remote work in rural,

neighboring developing countries.

hh

If it weren’t for the experience

working in Cambodia, I would


never have joined Médecins Sans

Frontières or had police escorts

to perform cesarean sections in

hospitals without a lab, stable

electricity or general anesthesia.

hh

If it weren’t for the desire to

learn more to help communities

like those in Somalia, I would never

have started a Master of Public

Health at Harvard.

hh

If it weren’t for the pandemic,

I would never have worked in the

COVID-19 lockdown wards in

Singapore, become annoyed with

the restrictions then jumped ship

to Switzerland.

hh

If it weren’t for the fact that

Switzerland doesn’t recognize my

medical license, I wouldn’t have

become a project manager for the

overhaul of a 300-year-old house

in the Swiss Alps.

Top to bottom:

medical team with MSF in Ethiopia;

with women in Tacoma whose babies she delivered


feature

A Club Inspires:

AWC Korea

by Betty Chung

Club president since 2022, Betty

calls the United States home but has

traveled and taught as a visiting

professor in Korea, China, Thailand,

Vietnam, Malaysia and Myanmar.

AWC Korea is a club on the move with its hugely successful charity

gala and an array of social events in a dynamic, history-rich city.

Founded in 1965, the American Women’s Club of Korea is a diverse,

supportive and welcoming community dedicated to cultural

exchange, learning, service and friendship in an environment of

mutual respect, compassion and understanding. We believe in celebrating

our differences and providing a space for meaningful interaction to support

and empower each other. Anyone who shares these views – regardless of

nationality – is encouraged to join.

Gyeongbok

Palace,

South Korea


Diverse Membership Dedicated to

Helping Each Other

We hit our 200 th -member milestone in June

2025. Our membership is truly global, with

women representing the United States, the

Netherlands, Italy, the UK, South Korea, China

and Australia, to name a few. The majority

include women who have relocated to Seoul

permanently or for a temporary work contract

(theirs or their partner’s).

For many, AWC provides the space to connect

with fellow expats and learn the nuances of

life in Korea as a foreigner. It’s also a space

for Koreans who have lived abroad and

returned to Seoul, who may be seeking

friendship and community with fellow

travelers. Our events are conducted in English,

but members often find other common

languages for conversation.

The club’s leadership consists of these

board positions: President, Vice-President,

Secretary, Treasurer, Events Chair, Comms

Chair and Partnerships Chair. The board chairs

lead committees of volunteers who run the

day-to-day activities and operations: treasury,

events, communications and partnerships.

C

lub Events

We hosted a lunch a few weeks

later to distribute the funds

raised for our charity partners

and to thank key sponsors.

The lunch was a special time of

celebration and a reminder that

we are truly better together.

There’s so much hard work that

goes into our gala! It’s truly a joy

to watch our members connect

with each other and also watch

as proceeds grow in real time.

Our next charity gala will be

February 6, 2026, at the Grand

Hyatt Seoul. We welcome other

FAWCO members to attend and

help us support AWC charities.

Wide Range of Events

Each month we host learning,

service and social events. From

market and fashion tours to

skincare talks and happy hours,

we have ample opportunities

for gathering. Some events are

free (beyond the annual club

membership fee), while others

incur a small fee.

Annual Charity Gala Tops

the Social Agenda

We host an annual charity gala to raise money

for organizations based in Seoul. At the event,

we host live and silent auctions with items and

experiences donated or sponsored by local

businesses. Guests pay for an individual ticket

or host a table.

Gala season is fun and fast paced, with our

gala committee members working tirelessly

for months to sell tickets and plan logistics.

We host the event at one of Seoul’s finest

hotels, and the evening includes a multicourse

dinner, dancing and spotlights on the partner

charities. At our 2025 event, we raised

almost 67 million Korean won ($48,000) for

our target groups.

This page, top to bottom:

welcoming 300 attendees at the 2025 Gala;

2025 Gala in the Grand Hyatt Ballroom

Next page, top to bottom:

Planting Love (top) and Korea Legacy (middle),

recipients of charity gala proceeds with club

members (far right) Jessica ChaKim and Betty Chung;

gala committee members at Love: 2025 Gala


Members of our events

committee – all volunteers –

coordinate the logistics and host.

Some events are monthly,

like our book club and coffee

morning, while others are based

on availability or themed around

a holiday. Every Spring we host a

special coffee morning and

walk to enjoy Seoul’s beautiful

cherry blossoms.

As a club, we care deeply

for under-resourced and

marginalized groups that often

go unnoticed. The charities we

The expat community

in Seoul is truly

vibrant and one of

a kind. I’ve seen

deep and lasting

friendships form, and

it’s such an honor to

help facilitate a space

for continued growth

among our members

and as part of the

greater international

community.

For anyone moving

to Seoul or even just

visiting, I hope you’ll

come and be part of

this extraordinary

group of women!

have recently supported

provide ongoing support for

kids living in welfare homes,

refugees and the elderly.

We also support initiatives

that promote women’s

empowerment and advocacy.

Some events are fundraisers,

such as our annual breast

cancer awareness walk. We

also participate in community

festivals and bazaars led by

expat groups and international

schools around the city.


enjoying cherry blossoms,

spring 2025;

Breast Cancer Awareness

Walk, October 2024;

AWC members gather for

a coffee morning.

Next page:

Happy Hour to kick off

the summer

Dynamic City and Country – K-Pop and Beyond

Seoul is the capital of

South Korea and is home

to almost 10 million people,

with roughly 26 million living

in and around the broader

metropolitan area (51 million

total in Korea). Seoul has

experienced rapid economic

growth over the last 30 years

and is now the sixth largest

city in the world.

Some may know of Hallyu,

or the Korean Wave,

referring to the explosive,

global popularity of Korean

music, entertainment, food,

fashion and more. Since the

late 90s, Korean culture has

emerged at the forefront of

pop culture, putting Seoul on

the map as a highly sought

tourist destination.


Ikseon-dong Hanok Village

(photo credit: Stephanie Beard, AWC Korea)

Country Snaps:

Clockwise, from top left:

nightlife in Seoul – crowded

streets of the Myeongdong

shopping district;

Songdo Central Park in Incheon;

beautiful cherry blossoms in the

spring at Gyeongju;

Oedolgae Rock, Jeju Island;

Busan;

Namsan Tower in Seoul

Country Snaps

Exploring Seoul

Seoul is truly where history meets a

modern city. Getting off the ultraefficient

subway, you might find yourself

facing a centuries-old palace or

Buddhist temple that’s nestled among

sleek skyscrapers.

Bibimbap

In 36 hours, you might explore

Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon

Hanok Village – historic gems that

showcase Korean architecture –

before grabbing a quick gimbap lunch

nearby or sampling Korean street foods

at Gwangjang Market.

Take an urban hike up to Namsan (North

Seoul Tower) for a beautiful view of

the city. There are endless local coffee

shops, but check out Ikseon-dong for

hanok-styled cafes that are Instagramworthy.

If museums are your thing, there

are plenty here, with new exhibitions

opening regularly – Leeum Museum of

Art is a favorite.

Tteokbokki (Korean rice cake stick with sausage)


Grab souvenirs like local art in Insadong

(best known for its "traditional" tourist

attractions), take a quick bike ride along the

Hangang River near Yeouido Park, and don’t

miss out on all the delicious Korean barbecue!

For a uniquely Korean experience, consider

spending time at a jjimjilbang– a traditional

bathhouse with varying pools to dip into, a

sauna, other skin treatment rooms and a

common quiet space to relax. Pet cafés and

photo booths are also quite popular,

particularly among young people.

We can’t list all our very many favorite places

to eat out, enjoy nightlife or shopping.

Here are a few spots where we’ve hosted

events and/or our members have gathered:

• z Brera

• z Neighbours

• z Dough Daddy

• z Bistro Mexi

• z Sailer Cafe

• z Kojeon Antique Market

• z Espace Français

Wealth

that works.

Wherever

you are.

North Seoul Tower

(photo credit: Venancio Dionelaon, Unsplash)

Shabu Shabu (Korean BBQ)

Welcome to W1M: bringing your wealth,

investments, and goals into one home.

Find out what one home means for you:

jenny.judd@w1m.com

+44 20 4617 2000

w1m.com

The value of your investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise.

Capital is at risk. Past performance is not a guide to the future. W1M Wealth

Management Limited is authorised and regulated by both by the Financial Conduct

Authority of 12 Endeavour Square, London E20 1JN, with firm reference number 120776

and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of 100 F Street, NE Washington,

DC 20549, with firm reference number 801-63787. Registered in England and Wales,

Company Number 02080604.


profile

Picking the Boat You

Want to Be On

Christen Chen, AIWC Frankfurt, an interior designer, shares her life

journey from Asia to the US and Europe, her choice to be childfree

and why she thinks in terms of “personhood” rather than “womanhood.”

Education: the Tools to Control Your Life

I

grew up in Singapore and went to the US

for college and grad school. My mother

always put a lot of emphasis on a good

education and encouraged me to pursue

further studies. I remember my grandfather

and aunts asking my mother why she put so

much effort and financial resources into a girl’s

education. Her response was that, if you equip a

girl with skills to secure good jobs, she will never

have to depend on a man or anyone else. She

can leave bad situations and build her own life

wherever she chooses to go.

Moving to the US and Europe

I did my undergrad studies at the University

of Michigan in Ann Arbor and worked in

California before attending grad school at

Harvard. I then moved to Singapore for a job

and met my husband. Working and traveling

across Asia for almost 10 years, I gained a

lot of good work experience. I moved to

Germany in 2016; my husband and I married

the following year.

Christen Chen

A Friend’s Kind Counsel

I was not a naturally confident person. I had

insecurities, such as, “I am not dressed right, not

pretty, not smart or do not have many friends.”

It did not hamper my life, but I

always felt a little scared in social

situations. After I got accepted

into grad school, a friend said that

she wished that I could give

myself more credit and be more

Working in

her studio in

Frankfurt


confident because there was

evidence to back up what I had

achieved. This made me reflect

upon everything I had done so far.

It didn’t happen overnight, but I

think that I feel more confident

since then; not because of the

schools I got into or the jobs, but

because I realized that I could get

to wherever I wished, if I set clear

goals and worked hard. How other

people see me is irrelevant if I

achieve my own goals.

Challenges

I am at a phase in life where

I am trying to balance

responsibilities with the desire

for peace. I am in my mid-40s and

there is still much more that I’d

like to achieve in my career. I also

want to be more involved in my

community. At the same time, I

long to drink wine by the fireplace

and not talk to anyone. I am still

pursuing, while wanting to slow

down and go inward. I want peace

in my heart and not to have to

worry. The desire to do both feels

a little impossible; I am not doing

either very well. Despite these

struggles, I enjoy my current life

phase because I am doing things

for me. I am pursuing my career

because I want to. I want to

simplify life and create more

peace because I want to. I do not

live for other people’s eyes. I don’t

have to prove anything to anyone.

Getting Help for Big

Life Decisions

I was fortunate to grow up in

environments (family, education,

work) with equal opportunities, or

at least I never felt I was less than

a man. The greatest disadvantage

I felt as a woman was the biological

clock. The need to have children

before a certain age was a

constant alarm in my head. I could

not focus 100% on my career as

I needed to find the right partner

to build a family with before it

was too late. I ended up making


with younger brother in the early 80s;

the family

Next page:

daily life "walking" senior dogs

the decision together with my partner not to

have children. In hindsight, it is easy to tell

my younger self to relax and that life doesn’t

always happen the way you planned. My

advice would be that, when you have big

decisions to make, talk to people about it.

Big and deep conversations don’t come

naturally. You seek them with the right

people. Maybe if I had done that, I would

have been able to decide earlier and have

focused on pursuing what I truly want.

What advice do you give other women?

The biggest growth of one’s career (in your

30s) coincides with the time to bear children.

From a young age, we are taught that

women will become mothers. I have met

many young women who prioritize finding a

partner and building a family over a career.

Of course, there are many women who do

both. I never thought that I could do both

at 100% – balancing a healthy, meaningful

relationship and an ambitious upward

climbing career. I personally understand

them very well and tell them to take care

of themselves financially first, then find a

partner who is kind. Finding someone kind

is such a huge determinant to positive life

outcomes. There is no real wisdom in this,

but I am constantly surprised that many

women don’t do this.

Choosing to Have Children, or Not ...

My husband never wanted children, but I

thought I did. We talked about it, thought

about it, and maybe passively waited for the

other person to change their mind. Then my

gynecologist called and said there was no

time left. I panicked and started calling all

my friends who did not have children,

asking about their journeys. Over those

conversations, I realized nobody had ever

truly asked me if I wanted to have kids

before or what were the real reasons for

wanting children. It was a given that people

get married and have kids. That was when I

began to really ask myself if I wanted to be a

mother. Then my husband and I each made

a list of what we wanted in life. When we

compared our lists, it became obvious that

children did not fit in the life that we wanted.

Womanhood vs. Personhood

I don’t think in terms of womanhood. I think

of myself as a person. What does this


person want and need? That is what I ask

myself. As traditional gender roles become

blurred, the greatest difference between men

and women is the anatomical structure to bear

children. Because women possess this

ability that half of the population does not,

many people do not see reproduction as a

choice to be made. I have been called selfish

many times because I chose not to have

children. Motherhood is respectable, but

who is to say a mother of eight is more of a

woman than one with none? A woman is a

whole person.

What do women facing the childbearing

decision need to know?

Once they have made the choice, they do not

need advice. For women who have yet to make

up their minds – talk to others. Talk to your

friends who have gone through it. Read about

it. Some of the most helpful things I read were

Dolly Parton’s statement that not having

children allowed her to travel and pursue the

career she wanted and an article that compared

having and not having children as being on two

different boats: you cannot be on both boats at

the same time. Pick the one you like more. You

will never know what adventures the other boat

will lead to and that is ok. Enjoy the boat you

chose. Most importantly, this is a personal life

choice. There should be no room for political or

religious discussion. Focus on you.

As more women make the decision to not have

children, I hope more open conversations will

take place so that women don’t have to wait

until their gynecologist calls to tell them that

there’s no time left.

Previous page, clockwise:

nominated for an interior

design award after just

two years in business;

participation in an

entrepreneur showcase

to support AIWC charity

event;

at Milan Design Week


Pig Café in Tokyo;

glacier in Iceland


profile

Juggling Multiple Roles

Katerina Gontora, American Women of Greece (AWOG), is a government

official and active volunteer. She recounts her peripatetic childhood

across Greece, her dedication to public service, family and community,

in addition to caring for her parents in their later years.

A Military Family

Iwas born in Thessaloniki, but, since my

father was in the military, we moved

frequently throughout Greece. Each

relocation meant a new school, new friends

and fresh perspectives on the country, giving me

a rich collection of memories and experiences. I

hold closest to my heart the long seaside walks

with my mother – we would stroll for hours,

talking and laughing. Those moments gave me

a sense of freedom, safety and warmth that

remain with me to this day. My childhood

shaped me into a resilient, adaptable person,

open to change and emotionally grounded by

the loving stability my family gave me.

Katerina Gontora

From Daughter to Wife

Unlike many others, I didn’t experience a long

period of independent life between childhood

and marriage. I moved directly from my parents’

home into my new home as a married woman,

thus continuing family life but with new roles

and responsibilities. During this time, I focused

on building both my personal and professional

foundations – balancing work, continuing my

education in business administration, public

sector operations and computer science, with

learning to care for a household of my own.

I was drawn to both the public

and private sectors, working early

on as a secretary, translator and

project coordinator in various

companies. Driven by a hunger

for experience, I eagerly sought

With children

and dear friend

in Athens


tested my emotional resilience like never

before. Yet, this phase also brought

rewards: a deeper understanding of

life’s fragility, renewed appreciation for

loved ones and personal growth. It has

taught me patience, empathy and the

importance of support systems. Despite

the challenges, I strive to move forward

with hope, continuing to serve my

community while honoring the legacy of

my parents. Both phases shaped me –

one with joy and love, the other with

sorrow and strength.

to understand both the structure of

organizations and the people behind them.

This phase was one of quiet strength-building

and growth within a framework of love,

commitment and purposeful partnership.

A Career in Public Service

A mix of career opportunities and family

responsibilities brought me to Athens, where

I currently live. I have held jobs in several

ministries, specializing in administration,

budgeting and IT systems. This phase has been

marked by continuous learning and growth, as

I take on new challenges while supporting

those around me. Though life has required

juggling many roles, my life today is dedicated

to public service, supporting investment

programs and advancing state-level digital

transformation. I find fulfillment in contributing

to society because this phase feels like a bridge

– linking experience with opportunity and

shaping the woman I continue to become.

Life Influences

As a child, I dreamed of becoming a doctor so

that I could help children in need. That early

aspiration, born from a deep sense of empathy

and compassion, planted the seed of a lifelong

desire to serve others – especially the most

vulnerable. Although my professional path

eventually led me into business administration

and public service, that original calling to make

a positive difference has remained at the heart

of everything I do. It was further deepened

through my work with children with special

needs, and profoundly shaped who I am today.

Through these incredible children and their

families, I witnessed firsthand the true meaning

of strength, resilience and unconditional love.

Participating in the Special Olympics alongside

my own children taught me powerful lessons

about courage, inclusion and the will to

overcome any challenge. These experiences

– rooted in both early dreams and real-life

encounters – have reinforced my core values:

empathy, perseverance and a steadfast

commitment to supporting others. They

continue to guide both my personal life and

professional work, shaping the way I lead,

serve and strive to make a meaningful impact

in my community.

Favorite Phases of Life

The phase I enjoyed most was raising my

children. Those years were filled with joy,

discovery and the pure happiness of nurturing

life. Watching them grow and supporting their

milestones gave my life deep meaning and

fulfillment. My current phase of life has been

one of profound change and resilience. This

year, I faced the heartbreaking loss of both my

parents within just three and a half months – a

deeply dramatic and challenging period.

Balancing grief with my ongoing responsibilities

in work and family demanded great strength.

Coping with such profound loss in a short time

Previous page:

with her mom


hometown, Thessaloniki;

with parents, summer 2024

Advice to a Younger Me

I would tell my younger self: hold tightly

to the wheel of your soul and never let

anyone tell you what is right for you.

Trust your instincts, believe in your

worth and stand firm in your values.

Womanhood is a journey filled with

many voices and opinions – learn to

listen to your own heart above all.

Embrace your uniqueness, pursue your passions

boldly and don’t be afraid to set boundaries.

Your strength and confidence will be your

greatest allies throughout life.


Caregiving Means Giving Back

Caring for my parents in their final years was both

an honor and a challenge. They had given me

everything – and I saw it as my turn to give back.

It meant managing their medical needs, ensuring

their dignity and being present for emotional

support, all while working full time. The journey

taught me empathy on a deeper level. I learned

to navigate healthcare systems, advocate for

them and face my own vulnerabilities. Although

it was exhausting at times, I wouldn’t trade those

moments for anything.

Handling Simultaneous Roles

There were times when I felt like I was living

several lives at once – mother, caregiver,

full-time public servant and active volunteer.

Especially during and after the difficult period our

country faced – the financial crisis and later the

pandemic – holding all these roles felt like a

constant balancing act. Through it all, my faith in

God gave me strength and carried me forward.

Professionally, I serve at the General

Secretariat for Public Investments

within the Ministry of Finance. It’s

more than a position – it’s a mission.

In a time when rethinking and

reorganizing the state is crucial, our

goal is clear: to help move Greece

forward, toward sustainable growth

and a more resilient future.

long view: you are a model of resilience, love

and service. Trust that your presence, even when

imperfect, carries power. And always remember –

you are not alone.

Throughout my journey, I’ve drawn strength from

the communities I’ve been part of. Living abroad,

I was actively involved in parents’ associations

and joined the International Women’s Club in

Zagreb. Since 2010, I’ve been a proud and

engaged member of AWOG, where I now serve

as treasurer. These connections have been more

than just support – they’ve been a source

of inspiration, solidarity and purpose.

This page:

AWOG 4 th of July

Next page, top to bottom:

with friends from the International

Women’s Club in Zagreb;

AWOG Heart Pillow event

I’ve managed to stay grounded

through a mix of structure and

grace. I plan meticulously, but I also

allow myself space to adapt when

things don’t go as expected. I lean

on my support network, accept help

and stay anchored in a strong sense

of purpose. Over time, I’ve come to

believe that prioritizing connection

over perfection is what truly makes

the difference.

Advice to Other Women

To any woman navigating multiple

roles, know that you’re doing more

than enough. It’s okay to ask for

help, to rest and set boundaries.

Don’t measure yourself against

unrealistic standards. Build a circle

of women who uplift you – and be

one who lifts others. Let go of guilt;

it doesn’t serve you. Focus on the


feature

Lightning Round:

"My Current Phase of

Womanhood is..."

We asked FAWCO and FAUSA members about which current phase of

womanhood they are in and what they are experiencing.

Here are their answers!

Elaine Rothman, AAWE Paris

My current phase of womanhood is life without work.

I've worked my whole life from age 14. First, little jobs babysitting to other jobs when I was older.

I studied engineering and even got my doctorate. I loved school and later working. When it

came time to retire I was scared - what would I do all day, as I had been consumed with work

and family? A year and a half later I wonder how I could have worried so much. I still study (art

history and languages) and volunteer for an association, but there are so many other activities:

I play bridge and mahjong, run twice a week, go to Zumba on Saturdays. I have subscriptions to

the opera and to museums, and I go to a jazz club weekly. I am enjoying life without work and

realizing that each stage of life brings joy.


My current phase of womanhood

is transition.

My current phase of womanhood is aging.

At 82, I am aware that this is the final phase

of my life. Many lifelong friends, as well as

shorter-term ones, are ailing or dying. While

my husband and I are presently in good

health, I know how quickly that can change.

Given that reality, we are maximizing our

time with old friends and making new ones,

while maximizing our time with nature, travel

and culture. Most recently, we traveled with

an Interrail Pass through the British Isles and

beyond, carrying only backpacks. Life is good

and will continue to be, to the end.

I'm redefining who I am and what I can

become. A late ADHD diagnosis at 55 cracked

open years of confusion, explaining the fog

of self-doubt, depression and fractured

connections. Suddenly, the feeling of being

different wasn’t imagined. It was real, and that

truth brings both pain and peace. I’m navigating

this shift with intention, confronting habits and

patterns that once felt necessary but have

become burdensome. Healing means letting

go, not just of what hurt, but of what helped

me survive.

Kim Douglass, AWC Berlin

Claudia Tessier, AWC Berlin


is multi-dimensional.

As I look over my small village in rural

France, soaring is my current phase!

There is a beautiful hawk I watch and

coax closer on the terrace. She is graceful,

floating on currents, gliding over rooftops.

When birds get close, she brushes them

off and goes back gliding. She becomes

the metaphor for my current phase.

I’m learning to glide in peace, bump off

irritants and refocus on the beauty of

soaring. I have done my career; I am

softer around the edges. I like this me

and, for today, my phase of soaring.

I didn’t plan to be a long-term expat or an artist

giving birth with paint on her hands, but here

we are. Germany was supposed to be a two-year

adventure. Thirty-five years later, I’m still here –

older, wiser, still chasing gallery deadlines. The

early years were brutal: no language, no job, no

Google, just diapers and dreams. But art saved

me. And now, I’m a grandma to the delightful

Alisa, who gives better hugs than any museum.

Womanhood? It's caffeine, creativity, emotional

stamina, absurd resilience, but it’s also a heart

full of stories, exciting and fulfilling. Never

underestimate a woman with tired feet and a

wild, beating heart. Womanhood is just like a

great painting - one is still adding brushstrokes.

Lucy Andrews, AW Aquitaine

Elizabeth Kang, AWC Berlin


This is a deeply fulfilling chapter of my womanhood.

I feel an inner peace and happiness rooted in gratitude

– for my past achievements and for the path that still

lies ahead. I’m energized by continuing to work toward

women’s empowerment and autonomy. Watching my

daughter’s accomplishments fills me with pride, and

being a mother brings enduring joy. The intense

happiness I feel around my two grandsons adds a new,

tender dimension to my life. With renewed clarity, I’m

focusing on the relationships that truly matter. It’s a time

of calm passion, deep love and profound contentment.

Evelyn Isaia, AAWE Paris


feels transitional.

They say in motherhood that the days are

long but the years are short. As my children

move beyond their baby and toddler years

and begin carving out their own

independence, I find myself returning to

parts of me that have quietly waited.

I’m rediscovering my creative spirit and

reigniting my professional passions –

taking on design and photography projects,

learning pottery and studying art history.

This chapter feels like both a return and

a much needed reconnection with who I

am beyond motherhood.

Shaina Starr,

AWC The Hague

My current phase of womanhood is one I think many of us experience at midlife -

a pivot.

Moving to Paris on my own after 20 years in Asia is a return to Western life, where I'm able to

feel at home in a language and diverse society I enjoy. My art studio is a pivot, too, focusing on

paper in new formats of expression. In late 2025, I'll have two grant-supported shows in Hong

Kong and Macau, and I will continue to go back and forth between Asia and Europe, working

within two continents in hopes of greater understanding and peace.

My current phase of womanhood is widowhood.

Turns out this is a secret club that no one joins voluntarily.

Roberta Zöllner, Munich IWC

Elizabeth Briel, AAWE Paris


My current phase of womanhood is that

of reinvention.

My current phase of womanhood is 65+.

This age group falls somewhere between

recently retired and being a doddering

septuagenarian. Perhaps a better term is

entering the Emerald phase. Emeralds are

vibrant green gemstones that symbolize

wisdom, prosperity, peace and security.

I am at a point in life when Yoda (also green)

sometimes sits on my shoulder and whispers

“Do or do not.” I have a lifetime of experiences,

skills and opinions that drive me to continue

to DO. This phase of life should signify a

beginning and not an ending. I don’t want to

wear purple – I want an emerald-green shine.

For 15 years, my identity centered on others –

a doting mom, loving wife, dependable school

volunteer and responsible entrepreneur. With

my kids now teens, I’m exploring who I am

beyond those roles. I’m reassessing my strengths,

my spirituality and sources of personal joy,

while shedding the expectations of how life

should look. I want to try everything once and

embrace the adventure of living abroad while I

can. Who am I? I’m not exactly sure yet, but I’m

excited, curious and grateful to be discovering

the answer.

Rachel Niesman,

AWC The Hague

Mary Adams, AWC The Hague

My current phase of womanhood is

empty nest vs. active grandma vs.

health challenged.

My current phase of womanhood is …

rich.

I am retired from the many various jobs

I have held in my working life. As a

volunteer for AWCCS I create and

manage events for members, keeping us

social. Keeping others’ loneliness at bay

is a goal. Staying physically active every

day is key to my health. Motion is lotion!

Reading is a passion, and I relish bringing

literature and philosophy into discussions

with friends and family. My favorite age

group used to be children, but now I value

friends of all ages.

I am blessed to be a grandma to Katie, Lucy,

Abbie and Daniel. Life was perfect on our dream

trip to Maryland for the 2025 FAWCO conference

and a recapture of life there in 1991. During that

journey, bizarrely, a perceived strained tendon

in my leg developed into a swollen knee and

indescribable muscle pain. Back home in the UK,

I felt like my mobility was disappearing fast.

Working with perplexed doctors but also talking

to friends, I realized taking steroids for pain is a

very common occurrence. Finally diagnosed with

polymyalgia rheumatica, my goal is to continue

my rehabilitation, gradually reduce the steroids

and enjoy each day with thankfulness. At this

point, I am pain free, walking, exercising and

feeling more normal. We know our bodies;

doctors can be perplexed; living well into old age

is key.

Nancy Lynner, AWCCS

Margaret Hilditch, Munich IWC


My current phase of womanhood is, as always, a combination: the parent of adult

children + a grandma to their kids + a partner in a more relaxed phase of our life.

While it sometimes requires a bit of careful navigation (no unsolicited advice, please), I am

really enjoying my kids “all grown up.” Since my father died when I was 21, I missed this phase

of not needing your parents but being able to share your life, accomplishments and kids with

them. My husband and I are fortunate that our three kids all live in the same country – and the

Netherlands is a tiny country. We see each other regularly, which is such a joy!

Anne van Oorschot, AWC The Hague


is unwritten.

But, that said, I have finally now picked

up my pen. The title of the autobiography

in my head is “I Don’t Want to be Brave,”

but slipping through the shocking grief of

midlife's broken vows was a whisper not

to close the book on my own international

dream. Like Berlin, womanhood is gritty

and unpredictable, but both have given me

a community of sisters who have dauntlessly

guided me into the next chapter, bursting

with hidden beauty and unflinching

courage. I can define what comes next.

Rebecca Kimmons,

AWC Berlin

Maggie Palu, AW Aquitaine


is worrying about the future for

our two daughters.

My current phase of womanhood is contentment.

I am mostly free of obligatory activities, like getting up and going to work or taking

care of the kids. I choose to do or not to do. I am fortunate not to suffer from any

serious ailments. I think my brain is intact. Our children and grandchildren do not

worry us; they will all be okay. My husband is showing signs of decline, but there's

nothing I can do to stop that, so I can't let that overtake me – not yet. Right now,

I'm in a good phase. May it last.

We adopted our daughters in

Indonesia and in Vietnam. They are

now 33 and 27, and both have been

thinking about having children,

though only the younger daughter

is in a somewhat stable relationship.

Neither got into high school and

they are not very happy in their

jobs. They have nothing set aside

in case they fall on rough times.

My husband and I are in our third

quarter of a century and caring for

grandchildren might be more than

we can handle.

Ellen Lebelle, AAWE Paris


My current phase of womanhood is equal

parts denial and daredevil.

Approaching a new decade (Sixty-Licious as

I prefer to call it), I set out to do 60 new

things. I am approaching them with a

combination of questions, trepidation and

gusto! The list is varied and has even inspired

my almost 30-year-old daughter to do the

same. As women we are more capable and

resilient than we give ourselves credit for. I

have proven to myself that no matter what

phase of life I am in, there is still more to

discover, learn and enjoy.

My phase of womanhood is empty nester.

I remember feeling at the very moment this selfie

was taken that I was relishing in the fact that

my husband and I were alone by the seaside,

enjoying being just the two of us. Now that the

kids have “flown the coop,” I am nourishing

myself and my marriage!

Robynne Pendariès, AAWE Paris

Yvonne Galloway, AWC London

This new season of womanhood

is marked by an open heart and

renewed purpose.

We entered the empty nest phase while

moving overseas. The early months were

filled with quiet tears and the ache of

missing family rhythms. Yet, in that

silence, personal growth and

transformation blossomed. Now, I’m

embracing community service and

outreach, taking courses, enjoying

hobbies and living with intention.

I am no longer putting myself on the

back burner. I’m finding joy in this

unfolding chapter, one shaped by love,

purpose, and a desire to impact

others meaningfully.


is remembrance.

Here I am at 88 sitting in my adobe house.

I’ve collected beautiful things along the way

and now have time to remember the wonderful

travels Rudy (my 94 year-old husband) and I

were lucky enough to enjoy. My favorite phase

was living overseas and meeting international

people from all over the world. I love people.

And we should treat all people the same. We

belong to one family - the human family.

Jennifer Sturgeon, AWC The Hague

Mona Garcia, FAUSA


My current phase of womanhood reveals

itself as ... spectral discoveries.

Spectral discoveries through a prism,

viewed from up close as myriad, vibrating

flashes, or from afar as projections to the

walls and ceilings of my mind's eye,

nudging me with a feather's brush to open

my thoughts to what is before me, so that

the facts and opinions of my virtual reality

are challenged by Truth. I maintain my hold

on the Knowns as I explore the Unknowns,

forever intrigued and trusting of Truth.

Tamara Riguad,

AAWE Paris

Against type ...

I suddenly became a warrior.

With the death of my daughter Emma Burke

Newman in January 2023, I was no longer a

mother. I quickly became a fighter for justice

and the guardian of Emma’s legacy, needing

to find greater meaning in this tragedy.

Today, there is a new, safer intersection

in Glasgow where a truck driver killed my

daughter, who was cycling to architecture

school. With the settlement from a lawsuit

in my daughter’s favor, my husband and

I created Association EBN that is promoting

bicycling and road safety, as well as the arts

and architecture.

Rose Marie Burke, AAWE Paris

Romy Treneer, AAWE Paris

My current phase of womanhood is

seasoned startup mode – with better

coffee and a lot more wisdom.

I’ve just launched my third business

here in France (because why stop now?)

after 20+ years of adventure, parenting,

reinvention and mastering bureaucracy

along the way. With the nest nearly

empty and Paris as my backdrop, I’m

embracing this phase as one of

expansion, creativity and joy. Some

days, I’m coaching clients as they move

abroad, start businesses or apply for

French citizenship. Other days, I’m

hosting caftan-making parties or

organizing picnics in the park. It feels

like the prelude to something great.


profile

A Mission to Inform

Vivian Birn, AWC Berlin, a nutritionist and hormone specialist, depicts her

youth in Uruguay, how a frozen shoulder led to new paths and her holistic

approach to menopause.

Childhood Memories

I

grew up in Montevideo, Uruguay, a warm

and welcoming city both in climate and in

spirit. My childhood vacations almost

always meant long hours at the beach

rather than heading to the forest or ski

slopes. The sound of the waves and the feeling

of warm sand under my feet shaped my sense

of peace early on. Today, the beach is still my

favorite place to dream, reflect and recharge.

I attended the German school in Montevideo,

where I learned to balance two very different

educational systems and gained fluency in

German, something that proved invaluable

later in life. At 15, I was given the opportunity

to join a four-week student trip to Germany

alongside students from German schools

worldwide. That journey opened my eyes to a

broader world and sparked my lifelong curiosity

and love for intercultural experiences.

Vivian Birn

My maternal grandmother was a defining

influence. She was the daughter of a Viennese

rabbi and one of the first women to study law

in Austria. After the Nazi annexation in 1938,

she lost her job and had to flee alone, at age

30, to unfamiliar countries where she didn’t

speak the language. Her resilience and quiet

strength stayed with me, even if I didn’t

understand the full depth of her

story until much later.

An Early Marriage

I left home at 20 to get married,

a very young age to make such

a life-changing decision, while

Saturday

morning at the

farmers market


continuing my university studies in business

administration. After having my first daughter, I

left my job at an international company because

I simply couldn’t manage both roles – being a

new mother and maintaining the demanding

pace of corporate work. I felt constantly torn,

exhausted and overwhelmed by the pressure to

meet everyone's expectations while neglecting

my own needs and well-being. Now I know that

a mix of hormonal changes and my thenundiagnosed

ADHD (Attention Deficit/

Hyperactivity Disorder) made things harder.

By 26, I was a proud mother of two wonderful

girls. Believing that entrepreneurship would give

me more flexibility, I started my own business.

I soon realized it was far more stressful than

expected. After a few intense years, I closed the

business and returned to the corporate world,

this time with more clarity about what I truly

needed in that phase of life.

Life Transitions

A few years after my divorce, I met my second

husband, a German expat who had just moved

to Montevideo. By the time his assignment

ended, we had already formed a family with my

two teenage daughters, and we relocated to

Berlin in 2007. The transition was tough: a cold,

grey winter, a new language, cultural challenges

and homesickness for our more relaxed and

sunny life in Uruguay.

Six years later, we moved to Hoboken, New

Jersey, and then to Bogotá, Colombia, before

returning to Berlin in early 2019. Each move

brought its own lessons and growth, shaping

not just my personal path but also my

professional direction.

Raising Awareness About Menopause

My time in Bogotá became a turning point: I

discovered the calming effect of nature while

growing vegetables on a rooftop and eating fruit

straight from the trees on countryside visits. I

also experienced my second frozen shoulder

– this time while living a healthy lifestyle. That

contrast sparked my interest in the connection

Vivian's daughters, Nicole (toddler) and Dana

between hormonal changes,

perimenopause and pain. It marked

the beginning of my current vocation:

helping other women understand and

navigate midlife through knowledge

and empowerment.

The menopause transition has been

deeply transformative and, at times,

challenging. Brain fog and emotional

swings hit hard. Eventually, I was

diagnosed with ADHD and slowly began

to reprioritize my life. That shift led me

to leave my job and turn my passion into

a profession.

Today, I work not only directly with

women, but also with organizations

to help them understand and support

this pivotal life phase. That includes

workshops, talks and tailored programs

for different employee groups –

affected women, coworkers and

management alike. I’m also engaged

in political and social projects to raise

awareness and drive systemic change

around menopause.

The Best Phase of Womanhood

Honestly, I’m enjoying this phase the

most. I feel more grounded, more

myself than ever before. My daughters

are grown. I no longer need to pretend to

be anyone else and I can focus on what

truly matters to me.

Advice to Others

Prioritize yourself earlier. Trust your intuition –

it’s wiser than you think. Don’t shape your life

based on other people’s expectations. Do what

feels right for you and embrace movement or

exercise that brings joy, not pressure.

Learn to listen to your body: What is it asking for?

What message is behind pain or other

symptoms? Don’t just mask it with pills – dig

deeper. And remember, we’re all different.

Not fitting into traditional molds doesn’t make

you wrong. Living with undiagnosed ADHD made

me feel “different,” but now I see it as part of

what makes me unique, more flexible, open

and empathetic.

A Wish List For The Benefit of Other Women

I wish I’d had access to the knowledge I now

share with others: how deeply hormones

influence every system in our body and how

With sister

lifestyle changes can make a real difference.

I wish gender-based health disparities were a

thing of the past. I wish that holistic, integrative

health care was the norm, not the exception.

I also wish there had been more systemic

awareness, not only within health systems,

but also in workplaces and politics.

Today, I’m fortunate to support women directly

and through my work with organizations,

offering practical tools, talks and workshops to

raise awareness across all levels, from affected

women to coworkers and management. I’m also

actively engaged in political and social projects

that advocate better menopause education,

visibility and rights. It’s incredibly rewarding

to see how women’s lives change when they

receive the information and validation

they deserve.


In addition, I’ve recently started offering support

around other hormone-related phases and

conditions such as endometriosis, PMS and

fertility challenges. My work is grounded in

the latest and most relevant science-based

information. I do not offer medical treatment

or diagnoses, but I aim to empower women

through education, context and holistic lifestyle

strategies that can complement clinical care.

The women I meet often exclaim in relief,

"Why didn’t anyone tell us all this before?" Those

moments when I see them feel understood and

supported are incredibly fulfilling. They affirm

that this path, though not always easy, is exactly

where I’m meant to be.

Changes in Attitudes Toward Menopause

In recent years, I’ve noticed a growing

awareness among women about the importance

of lifestyle during perimenopause and beyond.

Many women now actively seek out information,

recognizing that this phase of life deserves

attention and care.

A Nutritionist’s Advice

From a scientific perspective, I recommend a

plant-based diet with lots of colorful veggies,

especially broccoli, Brussels sprouts and leafy

greens. Add in legumes like lentils and

chickpeas; healthy fats from nuts, seeds,

avocados, and olive oil; and complex carbs like

oats and whole grain bread. A bit of fish or other

sources of Omega-3 and eggs also fit well.

Stay well hydrated with water and unsweetened

teas (green or herbal). Reduce processed foods,

especially those high in saturated or trans fats,

sugar and additives. Also, reduce or avoid

alcohol, spicy foods (which may trigger hot

flashes), and limit red and processed meat.

Nutrition alone isn’t everything: managing

stress, moving regularly and getting seven to

eight hours of sleep are also key. This isn’t

about restriction; it’s about vitality, energy and

reducing the risk of chronic conditions as we

enter the second half of life.

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What I still find fascinating is

how easily women shift

their lifestyles during

pregnancy but forget

that the menopause

transition is another

time when our body

needs tailored support.

It’s not about doing

things perfectly –

I dislike that word –

but about making

sustainable,

compassionate choices.

I’d love to see stronger

collaboration between

professionals and

communities to ensure

all women, regardless

of income, ethnicity,

or belief, have access

to reliable information

and support.

Menopause is a

shared responsibility.

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INSPIRING WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN 67

profile

Ask for Help as Soon

as Possible

Adrianne Lind, AWC Gothenburg & AIC Malmo, tells us how, through

writing, counseling and yoga, she dealt with grief after the death of

her parents.

An Idyllic Childhood in Washington, DC

My parents met at Howard University

in Washington, DC. My sister and I are

first generation Washingtonians. My

childhood was filled with music, love,

travel, brownies, church friends, dance

and gymnastics. My parents were super loving.

Mommy was the disciplinarian, tough, but only

when necessary. In my entire life, there was not

a day that she didn’t tell me that she loved me.

My father showed me his love daily. When my

big sister was six, she asked for a little sister

to be purchased. She continues to love me

very much.

Life as a Military Wife

While attending Howard University, I earned my

MRS degree, which stands for "Mrs." I moved

to Virginia Beach with my United States Marine

Corps 2 nd Lieutenant husband and set up a

home. My mother told me if I could read, I could

cook. She gave me the classic cookbook The Joy

of Cooking, as a gift. My husband and I moved

four times in five years. I grew up a lot during

our nine years together. I realized my dream

of being a fashion buyer and window dresser. I

fell in love with the waves on both

coasts and went to the premiere

of Lollapalooza in California. At

the time, it felt incredible. I was At her

mentioned in my husband’s

induction into

Adrianne Lind

fitness report as an “asset to

Sigma Gamma

Rho Sorority,

any command.” I made friends

Inc., with

whom I still cherish.

mother. The pin

was hers from

68 INSPIRING WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN

the 1950s.

69

Transition to Life

in Europe

As a family, my childhood

memories included road

trips across America and

to Canada and Mexico. In

1996, I visited London and

knew that I wanted to live

in Europe. After earning

my first master’s degree

in 2002, I moved to

Brussels, where I met my

Swede a few years later

and moved to Sweden

in 2005. I worked at the

American Chamber of

Commerce of Belgium as a

marketing communications

consultant and digital

entrepreneur until 2022. I

have been teaching yoga

since 2023 and

am the author of three

mindfulness books.

Defining Moments

I think deciding to jump out of a four-story

window to prevent being raped a third time in

my life was a turning point. Not only did I learn

that I can fly, but I learned that I can fight for

myself. I didn’t know that I had set a boundary

and how far I would go to protect it. My back

hurts constantly to this day, but I didn’t break

any bones, and my spirit remained unbroken.

Being a long-distance caregiver for my parents,

who died at ages 95 and 94, was humbling,

scary, challenging and necessary. The demands

it placed on my relationships in Sweden taught

me a lot about loyalty and regret. Now that I no

longer have the honorable obligation to care

for my parents, I am shifting to putting myself

first for the first time. That requires a shift in

thinking, but it is liberating and allows for selfcompassion

at a time when one can become

self-critical: my body has changed, friends have

died. Was I a good friend? My parents are gone.

Did they know how much I love them? Now, my

biggest challenge is honoring their legacies.

What advice would you give your younger self

about navigating womanhood?

Don’t listen to the bullies when, in my case, they

tell you that you are too thin. I still tell this to my

current self. Boundaries are necessary! Don’t let

love interests tell you who you should be. (“You

are so lovely but would be even more so with an

additional 10 pounds.”) Trust your parents even

if you think they are wrong. Few others care

about you the way they do. Don’t be shocked

when you lose your naivete. It couldn’t last

forever. But never become jaded. And last, you

are perfect the way you are and have everything

you need to become the person of your dreams.

I wish I had dared to ask for support during the

difficult times when I held my problems close

to my chest and powered on alone. I started the

Black Women in Europe blog in 2006. It evolved

into several social media groups and the

community there is real. I recall a woman

thanking me for creating a safe space. She

had to flee a violent relationship in Germany

and another member took her in. This made

my heart full.

Writing to Process Grief

I’ve maintained a gratitude journal for more

than 2300 days. Writing about losing my father

was important for several reasons. I needed

to understand the feeling that I was never

pleasing everyone when I wasn’t in one of two

households: missed in Sweden and missed in

the US. Other women struggle with that pull,

whether they are needed across town or an

ocean. I also wanted to honor my father and

my family’s love and dedication to each other.

I tried to offer comfort and understanding to

others who are in the same situation or will be

in the future. Writing my parents' obituaries and

designing their memorial booklets was a highly

challenging task, but I had to ensure that they

received their due recognition.

The Difficulty of Grieving from a Distance

All the advice that I share in the article about my

father is valid. It took me years to start the grief

counseling I was prescribed. It took that long to

find a match. Now, my sessions are available via

an app that I can use on my phone, or I can log

in for online sessions. Get into grief counseling

as soon as possible! Read The Grief Recovery

Handbook by Friedman and James. It has taken

Previous page:

George family portrait


at paternal

grandfather's feet;

with mother and sister,

wearing Sigma Gamma

Rho Sorority, Inc. jackets


me years to get through it, and now my grief

has doubled. Here’s where grace comes in:

grieving may not be what you expect. But I

expect my grief to always be with me. What it

morphs into is yet to be seen. Since my mom

died, I have already written two books and

started a nonprofit focused on mindfulness

and literacy to empower our communities. I

am trying to honor my parents’ legacies.

Yoga and Mindfulness

Veterans Yoga Project (VYP), by no exaggeration,

was my main lifeline after Daddy died. Since he

was a WWII Veteran, I am part of the military

community VYP serves with free mindful

resilience tools. I spent hours and days in

online Yoga classes, sometimes just crying,

other times breathing and moving. It led me

to become certified in VYP’s mindful resilience

so I could teach online with them. I just had

to give back. My mindfulness toolkit always

includes prayer. It also includes a gratitude

journal, mindful movement, breathwork, EFT

tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique),

affirmations, prioritizing time for activities

and people who made you feel good, learning

when to say no and asking for help.

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Inspiring Reads:

Lessons in Hope

by Juliet Cutler, FAUSA

Beginning in 1999, I spent two years in Tanzania working as a

volunteer teacher at the first secondary school for Maasai girls

in East Africa. I arrived as a young educator from the US, eager

to make a difference. What I found were girls on the edge of

adolescence, confronting stark realities – many fighting to stay in school,

some avoiding forced early marriages, too many subjected to female

genital mutilation and nearly all living in deep poverty.

That experience changed the trajectory of my life and is the subject of

my first book, Among the Maasai, which many FAWCO members had the

chance to read as part of the 2020 Summer Book Read.

Now, after 25 years of engagement in Tanzania, my second book,

Lessons in Hope: A New Era for Maasai Women in Tanzania, shares the

stories of more than twenty graduates of the Maasai Girls Secondary

School where I once taught. These women – now healthcare professionals,

educators, entrepreneurs and community leaders – are transforming

the world around them. Told in their own voices and accompanied by

powerful imagery, the book is a testament to what’s possible when girls

are educated.


From Students to Changemakers

When I reconnected with these graduates,

what struck me most was how education had

shaped the arc of their lives. Many came from

households where girls’ education was not

prioritized and where resources were scarce.

With access to education, they forged new

identities – not just as students, but as women,

mothers, leaders and mentors. Education gave

them the power to make informed choices,

advocate for themselves and others, and

envision futures once thought out of reach.

Today, they are guiding their daughters,

mentoring younger girls and leading programs

that challenge entrenched gender norms.

Their stories make a powerful case: investing

in a girl’s education sets in motion lasting,

generational change. It’s not just about opening

classroom doors – it’s about opening pathways

to opportunity, dignity and leadership. When

a girl is educated, she’s more likely to pursue

meaningful work, raise healthy children, find

lasting happiness and uplift her community.

The women in Lessons in Hope are living proof

of that ripple effect.

The Creative Team: A Collaborative Effort

The idea for Lessons in Hope began in 2022,

when Jason Bergmann, executive director of

Operation Bootstrap Africa – the nonprofit

that has supported the Maasai Girls Secondary

School for three decades – invited me to return

to Tanzania to document the school’s long-term

impact and celebrate its graduates.

From the outset, the book was co-created with

Tanzanian partners. We formed an advisory

group of alumni to shape the project’s direction

and ensure diverse representation across

regions and life experiences. Esuvat Lucumay – a

Maasai activist and founder of Eripoto for Girls &

Women, a grassroots organization that provides

a safe house and educational opportunities for

survivors of violence – joined the team as our

cultural advisor and project manager. With her

leadership, we traveled across northern

Tanzania to gather stories and images. We were

joined by Tanzanian photographers Lameck

Tryphone Mutta and Aron Williams, whose

artistry and sensitivity helped visually honor the

strength and dignity of each featured woman.

We conducted nearly 50 interviews with

graduates, their families, community members,

school staff and board members. Each woman

was invited to reflect on her journey – from

girlhood to adulthood. Every narrative was then

reviewed, edited and approved by its subject,

ensuring that the final book is not just about

these women – it was created with them.

Phases of

Womanhood –

Across Continents

I wrote Lessons

in Hope during a

phase of my own

life marked by

deeper purpose

and reflection. As

I entered midlife, I

felt called to return

to the stories of my

former students –

not only to

witness who they

had become, but

to explore how our

shared journey had

shaped me as well.

When I first arrived

in Tanzania 25

years ago, I came

to teach – but I also

came to learn. The

girls I met challenged me to see the world

differently. They faced extraordinary obstacles

with quiet strength and deep resolve, and in

doing so, reshaped my understanding of

what it means to be a woman in the broader

world. Among the Maasai was the story of

that awakening.

Lessons in Hope continues that story – not just

by documenting the women they’ve become,

but by honoring the lasting bonds formed

through education. No matter where we come

from, the journey from adolescence into

womanhood is shaped by growth, challenge

and the search for identity. This book reveals

how, across cultures and continents, women

find their voices and learn to lead.

The Power – and Challenge – of Publishing

Publishing is not for the faint of heart. While

many meaningful stories do find their way into

the world, traditional publishing is often driven

more by what publishers believe they can sell

than by the literary or social value of a story.

While there is growing interest in diverse

narratives, my publishing experience reflects the

reality that stories grounded in cross-cultural

collaboration, women’s issues and social justice

often fall outside the commercial mainstream.

Eventually, I discovered She Writes Press, a

hybrid publisher committed to publishing

women’s voices with integrity and care. Hybrid

publishing combines the professional standards

of traditional publishing with the creative

control of self-publishing. At She Writes Press,

each manuscript is carefully vetted and

accepted books go through a full editorial and

production process to ensure quality. For

Lessons in Hope, that meant partnering with

a publisher that respected the collaborative

nature of the work and the cultural sensitivity

it required. Hybrid publishing offers a growing

space for writers who seek creative agency

with publishing partners who produce highquality

books. For me, it’s been an empowering

and values-aligned way to bring this story into

the world.

What’s Next?

Today, I continue to support locally led efforts

in Tanzania, especially those focused on girls’

education and women’s empowerment. I

remain closely connected to the Maasai Girls

Secondary School and am always seeking ways

to raise awareness and support for the school

Books presented in

the Inspiring Reads

feature are

available for

purchase via the

FAWCO website in the

"List of Books by Members" or

"Books by Clubs" sections. Enjoy!

and the projects its graduates are leading.

Beyond my work in Tanzania, I specialize in

exhibit design for museums and cultural

institutions – developing spaces that

highlight important, often overlooked stories

in ways that are emotionally resonant and

visually compelling. I’m currently designing a

major exhibit for the Chickasaw Nation that

centers on indigenous narratives in their

ancestral homeland.

Whether through writing or exhibit design,

my work is rooted in telling stories that

matter – stories that uncover hidden truths

and expand our capacity for empathy and

understanding. Now, more than ever, I

believe we need these types of stories to lead

us forward.

Juliet Cutler is an award

winning writer and exhibit

designer based outside

Atlanta, Georgia. A longtime

advocate for girls’

education in Tanzania,

she is the author of Among

the Maasai and Lessons in

Hope. Juliet is a member

of FAUSA and formerly

belonged to the AWC

Amsterdam, where she lived

from 2011 to 2016.


profile

Reinvent Yourself at

Any Age

Dr. Lucy Andrews, American Women of The Aquitaine (AWA), is a

registered nurse (RN), doctor of nursing practice (DNP) and dementia

care advocate. She explains why she went back to school after age 50,

what cognitive decline entails and how to prevent it.

My Mother The Role Model

I

grew up in California, raised by my mother –

a devoted nurse who taught me the value of

independence, perseverance and building a

meaningful career. She worked long shifts

caring for others. I admired her strength

and quiet determination. One of my clearest

memories is ironing her white nursing uniforms

after school. It became a ritual – my small

contribution to her bigger mission. Those

moments taught me pride in showing up

prepared and the importance of care behind

the scenes. My mother’s example showed

me that women could be both caregivers and

professionals and that self-reliance was not only

possible, but expected. Her influence set the

foundation for everything I’ve done since.

Dr. Lucy Andrews

Early Experiences in Acute Care

When I left home, I pursued nursing and began

my career at a large university hospital,

rotating through several specialties including

major surgery and kidney transplant units. These

early roles gave me a solid clinical foundation;

they exposed me to the intensity and complexity

of acute care. Eventually, I transitioned into

discharge planning – a move that changed

everything. That role led me to home health and

hospice, where I saw firsthand the long-term

impact of chronic illness on patients and families.

It was there that I began to

recognize the unique challenges

of dementia: the isolation, the

confusion, the emotional toll on

caregivers. This became a turning

point. I saw a need not just for

Lucy's

favorite place –

the ocean


care but for connection, education

and engagement. I felt compelled to

respond. This early exposure laid

the groundwork for my lifelong

commitment to improving dementia

support systems and advocating

brain health.

A Fulfilled Family and

Professional Life

Today, I live primarily in a small

village in the Dordogne region of

France, with winter trips to Northern

California to visit our family. My

husband and I were drawn to this

part of France by its rhythm, beauty

and strong sense of community. Here,

I continue my life’s work through

Brain Guard System International,

offering memory screenings, caregiver

guidance and dementia engagement

programs both locally and online. I

also work as a legal consultant across

the country and internationally. I

stay professionally active on my own

terms – mentoring, writing, supporting

families and agencies in creating more

compassionate dementia care. Our

youngest daughter is now planning her

wedding. Our son, a hospice nurse, and

our other daughter, an attorney, both

live and work in the US. We have three

wonderful grandchildren – and our

very first great-grandbaby is due soon!

This chapter is filled with deep purpose,

love and a growing legacy.

Going Back to School In My 50s

One defining phase came when I returned to

school to pursue my Doctor of Nursing Practice

degree. I was in my 50s, juggling family

responsibilities and a demanding consulting

career, yet I felt a pull to deepen my impact.

That period tested everything: stamina, selfbelief

and purpose. Earning my doctorate as

a mature woman redefined how I saw myself

and how I showed up for others. It empowered

me to shift from doing care to leading change.

It also modeled for my daughter the power of

reinvention, no matter your age or stage. That

decision led to launching Brain Guard System

International and training others to engage

people with dementia with dignity and purpose.

Rewards and Challenges

This phase of my life feels like soaring.

I split time between rural France and

California with my husband, working

at a rhythm that allows space for joy

and meaning. I’m softer around the

edges but fiercer in my convictions.

The reward is freedom – to create,

mentor and advocate for better

dementia care on my terms. I still

wrestle with modern aging’s

contradictions: wanting relevance

while craving rest, speaking boldly

while honoring silence. I cherish

guiding caregivers and families

through hard phases. And I finally

feel grounded in who I am, with less

need to prove and more desire to

serve. Watching my daughter

prepare for her own wedding, I’m

reminded how each generation

builds on the wisdom of the last.

Words of Wisdom to My

Younger Self

I would tell her: “You don’t have to

be everything to everyone. Your

value is not in how much you give

until depletion but in how wisely you

choose to show up. You will not lose

your worth when you pause. You will

not fall behind when you rest. Ask for

With President Clinton, 2016

With colleagues

Top to bottom:

on US roadtrip with granddaughters;

childhood photo dressed as a nurse



prepping for testimony at a

Congressional hearing on aging,

2014;

family, 2025

Next page:

Lucy and her book,

Joyful Moments Unlocked

help and accept it. The people who love you

don’t need you to be perfect, just present.” I’d

also whisper: “Trust the reinventions. Each

season will strip away something and replace it

with something deeper. And when you think it’s

too late to start again, it won’t be. You’ll build a

life of meaning one brave ‘yes’ at a time.”

Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s Disease

Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of

symptoms affecting memory, thinking and

behavior. It’s not one disease, but a syndrome

caused by various underlying conditions.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type

of dementia, accounting for 60–80% of cases.

It’s characterized by specific changes in the

brain, including amyloid plaques and tau

tangles, which disrupt normal brain function.

Other types of dementia include vascular

dementia, Lewy body dementia and

frontotemporal dementia – each with different

causes and progressions. The key difference is

that while Alzheimer’s is a specific disease,

dementia is a broader condition that results

from damage to brain cells. Accurate diagnosis

is crucial because treatment and care

approaches vary significantly based on the

underlying cause. At Brain Guard System

International, we focus on education and early

engagement to support families long before a

crisis hits.

Women and Dementia

Women are statistically more likely to develop

dementia and the reasons are multifaceted.

Women tend to live longer than men and age

is the primary risk factor. But beyond longevity,

biological and hormonal differences play a role.

The loss of estrogen during menopause may

accelerate cognitive decline, as estrogen

supports brain function and protects against

inflammation. Genetics, such as the presence of

the APOE4 gene, may also impact women more

significantly. Additionally, women historically

have had less access to education and career

opportunities, which can reduce cognitive

reserve – a brain’s resilience against decline. We

now also know that hormones play a significant

role in who gets dementia. Social factors like

caregiving stress, sleep deprivation and

underdiagnosed depression can further increase

risk. Addressing women’s brain health across

their lifespan is essential, this is why I advocate

proactive education and lifestyle shifts early on.

Lifestyle Changes For a Healthy Brain

The brain thrives on movement, novelty,

connection and rest. Regular aerobic exercise

boosts blood flow, reduces inflammation and

promotes neuroplasticity. IT IS THE SINGLE

MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO.

Activities that challenge the mind – like learning

a language, playing music or problem solving

– help build cognitive reserve. A nutrient-rich,

Mediterranean-style diet supports brain

function, while quality sleep is essential for

memory consolidation and cellular repair.

Social connection is equally critical: isolation

accelerates decline, while community

engagement buffers it. At Brain Guard System

International, I teach the 5 Daily Protectors:

Move, Nourish, Connect, Stimulate and Rest.

These practices are science-backed and

accessible. It’s not about perfection, it’s about

momentum. Small, joyful habits truly make a

difference in long-term brain health.


profile

A Global Citizen in Tech

Jan Allen, former AWC Brussels President, has a successful career as a high

tech executive. She tells us about the challenges of being a working mom and

now an empty nester.

A Globetrotting Youth

I

was born in Lincoln Park, Michigan, and

moved every two to four years due to my

father’s job. We lived in Chicago, New

Jersey (twice), Cincinnati and Sydney,

Australia, where I did a university semester.

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in French

Literature at Rutgers University in 1992. My family

stayed in Sydney until 1993, where I visited them

twice a year, adding trips to Hong Kong, the

Philippines, Thailand and Fiji. While at university

and afterward, I traveled throughout Europe and

to Kenya. Thanks to a summer course in France

and a few internships in Germany, I learned to

speak fluent German and good French and

officially caught the travel bug!

Jan Allen

Starting a Career and Family

I started my career on Wall Street in 1993, then

moved into the tech world with a sales job at

AT&T in New York City. Soon afterward, I met

my Belgian husband. We had a long-distance

relationship for a year and a half, the first six

months without email, so we wrote letters

the old fashioned way and only spoke on the

phone once in a while, as it was so expensive!

In 1997 I moved to Belgium, we married in my

husband’s village of Dendermonde, East Flanders,

about 50 minutes from Brussels. It was a fairytale

wedding day with a beautiful

dinner party in a château nearby.

At the American

I found a job at AT&T

Embassy in

headquarters in Brussels, and Brussels,

in 2000 and 2002, our sons

speaking on

Christophe and Nicolas were

behalf of ACB

for its 100 th

84 INSPIRING WOMEN anniversary

INSPIRING WOMEN 85

born. We have traveled extensively

with them across Europe and the US,

even to Kenya. Going on safari in Kenya

is one of our favorite vacations because

of the wildlife, natural beauty and large

number of friends we have there.

Ascending the Corporate Ladder

For 18 years, we lived in my husband’s

village in Dendermonde along with

our sons. During this time, I

completed my Masters of Science in

management and worked my way up

from a salesperson to vice-president

in the telecoms industry.

As I travel a lot for work, we moved to

Overijse next to Brussels in 2015 to

live in a more international area and

be closer to the airport. For the past

eight years, I have been working in

the high-growth software industry

and am currently an executive for a

Silicon Valley-headquartered

company, managing their $200

million customer base across Europe,

the Middle East and Africa.

AWCB: From Physical to ‘Virtual’ Club

I joined the AWCB in

2016 to make friends.

At the time, we still had

the beautiful and

amazing clubhouse

in Rhode St. Genèse.

I served on the AWCB

board from 2018 to

2025 and as president

from January 2021 to

June 2022. I managed

the exit from our

1000m 2 clubhouse and

led the transformation

to a “virtual” club. I led

the organization of our

celebration at the US

Embassy for the AWCB’s

75 th and the American

Club of Brussels' (ACB)

100 th anniversaries.

As president, I saw

how valuable the

partnership with

FAWCO was and

Above:

fairytale wedding day in husband's village of

Dedermonde, East Flanders, 1997

Below:

family vacation, Brittany 2024

organized a few fundraisers for

the FAWCO Target Program and

encouraged several board members

to attend the FAWCO annual

conference to rebuild the connection

after COVID-19. I also supported the

AWC Antwerp for a FAWCO charity

wine tasting by getting many people

from Brussels to attend.

Defining Moments

Living abroad as a young adult in

Australia and Germany and subsequent

extensive travel opportunities made me

a global citizen with an appreciation for

other cultures and ways of life. I saw

some of the most beautiful places in

the world, as well as extreme poverty

up close, making me realize how

privileged I was, especially as a woman

growing up in a country where I had

rights and could get an education.

Challenges and Rewards

The past few years have been both

very rewarding and challenging. I had

significant career development and

public speaking opportunities, was on

the AWCB and ACB boards, but also

was hit hard by menopause, suffered

some serious health issues and began

to experience empty nest syndrome.

Happily, I am recovering from most

of the health problems and the

menopause symptoms are subsiding a

bit. I am taking hormone replacement

therapy (HRT) and highly recommend

it. In addition, I am really proud that

our oldest son graduated last year with

a Masters of Science in Civil Engineering

and now works, while our youngest son

graduates this summer with a Masters

This page, from top to bottom:

in Sydney, 1991;

AWCB featured in The Bulletin, a

magazine for the English speaking

community in Brussels, as they

embrace a new chapter in their history;

with AWCA President Diane Salkiewicz

(l) and tFAWCO President Emily van

Eerten (r) at a FAWCO charity wine

tasting event in 2021


of Science in Business

Engineering. Also this

summer, we enter another

phase of change as my

husband retires from the

Belgian Air Force.

Advice to the Younger Me

I would tell my younger

self to be as kind to herself

as she is to other people,

trust her gut more, worry

less and celebrate more. I

would also warn her about

the double standards she

is going to face in a maledominated

workplace and

give her some tips about

navigating through them.

Support for Oneself and Others During

Challenging Times

Working full time with menopause has been a

real challenge at times, especially due to sleep

deprivation. I wish that more doctors were

educated about perimenopause and

menopause, that there had been more

information and research available before I

started to go through these phases.

European Women on Boards, 2020

often the most important thing. Seeing how

impactful this can be, I wish that I’d had access

to more support via women's networks earlier in

my career. One of my missions in life is to help

others. One of my favorite sayings, which I

believe wholeheartedly, is “Be somebody who

makes everybody feel like somebody.”

to share the childcare. I made sure my husband

was on board with this before we got married,

and, as I often travelled, he actually sometimes

carried more of this burden than I. We were also

lucky that my husband’s mother took care of our

children after school. When my father developed

lung cancer in 2006, I traveled back and forth to

Arizona until he passed away in 2008, stretching

our family too thin. In hindsight, I should have

taken a leave of absence from work when my

dad became ill, and/or found an au pair or

nanny to help out, rather than trying to do it all.

The Dawn of a New Phase

I was very sad when our boys moved to Leuven

to study and were only around once in a while.

It was suddenly very quiet around the house,

creating a sense of loss and a void in my life.

When our oldest son moved out at the end of

last year, it was another big change that I am

still getting used to. I miss him a lot. My husband

and I have been working through establishing a

new kind of relationship with our children and

between ourselves as we are no longer full-time

“caretakers.” I have been doing more socializing,

traveling and personal development, as well as

exploring new hobbies with my husband to

adjust to all of these changes. My husband is

retiring from the military this summer and will

become a consultant in the fall. We are going

to see how this new phase goes and how we

can incorporate more travel, fitness and balance

into our lives.

For the past seven years, I’ve been mentoring

women through the European Women on Boards

(EWOB) and previously for the Professional

Women International (PWI) association, as well

as in my workplaces. The most common topics

that come up are navigating the “boys' club,”

(unjustified) self-doubt, judgment from

women who don’t work. I proactively offer the

knowledge and advice I’ve gained on these

fronts, as well as emotional support, which is

The Key to Juggling Many Responsibilities

I am a very driven person with a high work ethic

that I learned as a child. I was an honor student,

practiced sports, played the piano and always

had part time jobs in high school and university.

I even worked full time and was on the Dean's

list the last year of university. I have always been

a busy bee and learned early on to juggle many

responsibilities at once. A huge factor in having

a career is a supportive partner who is willing

Making a presentation, 2024


feature

She Let Herself Go

by Dina Honour, AWC Berlin

On Saturdays, my husband and I go for long, meandering walks.

Our conversations veer wildly, from politics to 80s music to cultural

generation gaps. Recently, we landed on the topic of bras. I was

complaining. My husband, full of male innocence, asked me, “Why do you wear

a bra if it’s so uncomfortable?”

I sputtered something about low-hanging fruit and fear of looking my age

and that yes, of course, it's mostly vanity – all while my thoughts whirred like

a tumbling bingo cage. Those thoughts, like my feet, came to a sudden stop.

I wear a bra – and do a host of other uncomfortable things – because I don’t

want people to see my fifty-four-year-old body and think she’s let herself go.

Woman Before

a Mirror,

Henri de Toulouse-

Lautrec, 1897

She let herself go. I'm not sure what exactly we mean when we think or say

that. Perhaps that she had the audacity to age, or gain weight, or stop coloring

her hair. Maybe it seems as if she stopped performing for a world that would

chew her up and spit her out regardless. We are a century removed from

corsets and even further from foot-binding, yet we’re still hobbling ourselves,

forcing our bodies and minds into unrealistic shapes. The restraints are no

longer physical, but the effects are the same – psychological girdles.


We want to age gracefully, like a

ballet dancer pirouetting around

the years. Of course, it’s much

easier to declare such things

when

you’re

twenty or

even forty

and the body bits are still

firm and in their rightful

place, when chin hairs

have yet to sprout

like fly legs, before

Mother Nature’s midlife

joke wreaks havoc on your

psyche. And then one day you’re

downward facing like a dog and

notice the skin on the front of

your thighs and how it just …

sags, like sad clowns. And you

march in place, ever faster,

determined not to be one of

those women who let yourself go.

I won’t let myself go!

Go where? Into the future? So much time

we spend chasing the past, trying to catch

it in the trap of our fists like a sunbeam.

I do it too, peeking through my fingers to

see if there’s a chunk of sunlight there, like

somehow I can use it to soften the fine lines

around my eyes.

She let herself go. Have you seen her?

She’s put on weight, like weight is a suit she

can take off and hang carefully in the closet

among the special occasion dresses.

Or maybe she stopped starving herself or

grew weary of the money and effort it takes

to cajole her rounded bones into squarish

shapes.

She let herself go. Have you seen her?

She’s not even making an effort, like effort is

defined by fabric with spandex or the height of

your heel. Or maybe she just got fed up with the

way the waistband of her skinny jeans garroted

her waist, leaving behind marks like bruises,

purple and livid.

She let herself go.

Have you seen her?

She looks tired, like she couldn’t be bothered

to slap on a bit of makeup, a little highlighter to

hide her exhaustion. Or maybe she isn’t sleeping

because she’s caught in a hormonal vortex, or her

kids are growing up but so are her parents and

she’s stuck in the middle, spinning her wheels in

the dark while the world sleeps on.

She let herself go.

Have you seen

her?

She looks old. How

dare she take up

space and force us

to confront the

passage of time?

Can’t she buy

gadgets and masks,

a shelf full of

expensive serums,

drink more water,

do something to

not look so … on

the way to old?

On the way,

because real old

is acceptable. True

old is safe. We

squeal and titter over truly old women because

we’ve stripped them of their power and their

brittle bones pose no threat. But on the way to

old? Well, that is simply too much. There is too

much raw energy, too much bare anger and rage

worn on the outside, demanding we look.

It’s too confrontational. It’s

easier to look away.

I am not

immune. I still squeeze

myself into corsets of

expectation. I want to look good for

my age. I don't want to let myself

go. Yet, I can’t help but wonder.

What if letting go is like a balloon

let loose from a tight, sticky grip,

caught on the breeze and tripping over telephone

wires into the clouds? What if letting go is an

adventure of self, a journey down

memory lane, a nostalgia trip?

What if you let yourself go and

along the way, you become the

wise woman, the witch,

the crone?

She let herself go.

Have you seen her?

She’s flying free.

With husband Richard on one of their

walks in Berlin, September 2024

Dina Honour was born and

raised on the East Coast, spending

20 years in NYC before she and

her family moved abroad in 2008.

Since then, she’s lived in Cyprus,

Denmark, and now writes from her

desk in Berlin, Germany, where

she is also a member of AWC

Berlin. She is the author of two

books, It’s a Lot to Unpack and

There’s Some Place Like Home:

Lessons From a Decade Abroad,

hundreds of essays, and at least

two boxes full of sappy birthday

cards. Her work usually idles at

the intersection of relationships,

feminism, culture, and life abroad.

You can find out more about her at

dinahonour.com.

An earlier version of "She Let Herself Go"

was published in 2021 and appeared on

Diana's website, Wine and Cheese Doodles.


our next issue

inspiring you

Call for

Nominees!

Art Works - Women and the Visual Arts

Let’s celebrate a few more of FAWCO’s and FAUSA’s amazing artists. In this issue we will focus

on the visual arts, fine art as well as applied or decorative arts and crafts. Calling all quilters,

painters, ceramic or pottery artists, gallery owners, art auctioneers, museum guides, teachers,

multi-media artists, sculpture artists, abstract artists, architects and interior designers.

Publication Date: December 4, 2025

Founded in 1931, FAWCO is a global women's NGO (non-governmental organization), an

international network of independent volunteer clubs and associations comprising 60 member

clubs in 31 countries on six continents. 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.

disclaimer

FAWCO receives financial remuneration for page space from sponsors. Views expressed

or benefits described by sponsors in this magazine or in any web page visited through a

hyperlink are not endorsed by FAWCO.

To nominate candidates for profiles, please send the candidate's name, candidate's email

address and a brief description (50-100 words) of why you think they are inspiring and fit

the theme for the issue. Send the information to Profiles Coordinator Shaza Gahiga Bwakira,

iw.profiles@fawco.org.

To submit a feature: Features are used to complement the theme. This can be broadly

applied; let us know what you'd like to write about! Our features are 700-800 words plus

photos. For more information contact Features Coordinator Carol-Lyn McKelvey,

iw.features@fawco.org.

copyright 2025 fawco

Inspiring Women© is owned and published electronically by FAWCO.

All rights reserved. All bylined articles are copyright of their respective authors as indicated herein

and are reproduced with their permission. The magazine or portions of it may not be reproduced

in any form, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means – electronic,

mechanical, photocopy or otherwise – without written consent of the publisher.

Deadline for Nominations

The deadline for submitting

nominees and feature topics for

our next issue is ...

Wednesday,

October 1, 2025

Photographs are integral to our magazine.

We end each issue with a full page photograph

that offers a unique perspective on its theme.

The photo can be provocative, amusing,

entertaining and/or a photo that you think says

"That's Inspired!" for each issue.

Please contact iw.editor@fawco.org

Our photo-centric feature "Through My Lens" is a

compilation of photos and short captions

in keeping with the issue’s theme.

Please contact iw.features@fawco.org.


more about

this issue

The Inspiring Women Team

That's

Inspired!

Michele Connie Elsie Kristin Carol-Lyn Shaza Hollis

For more information about this magazine, please contact a member of the Inspiring Women team:

Editor in Chief: Michele Hendrikse Du Bois, iw.editor@fawco.org

Assistant Editor: Connie Phlipot, iw.assted@fawco.org

Contributing Editor: Elsie Bose, iw.conted@fawco.org

Layout Coordinator: Kristin D. Haanæs, iw.layout@fawco.org

Features Coordinator: Carol-Lyn McKelvey, iw.features@fawco.org

Profiles Coordinator: Shaza Gahiga Bwakira, iw.profiles@fawco.org

Marketing Manager: Hollis Vaughen, iw.marketing@fawco.org

Acknowledgements:

Thanks to this issue’s contributors: Jan Allen, Lucy Andrews, Vivian Birn, Christen Chen, Becky Chung,

Juliet Cutler, Maartje de Lint, Katerina Gontora, Dina Honour, Adrianne Lind, Tharien van Eck, Veronica

Ventura and the Lightning Round authors. We appreciate their work on the articles and also for the

use of their photos and those of their friends and families.

That’s Inspired Photo: Christen Chen hiking in Machu Picchu.

Special thanks to the proofreading team of Laurie Brooks (FAUSA), Mary Stewart Burgher (AWC

Denmark), Janet Davis (FAUSA & AIWC Cologne), Sallie Chaballier (AAWE Paris), Liz Janson (FAUSA),

Carol-Lyn McKelvey (FAUSA & AIWC Cologne), Stacey Papaioannou (AWO Greece), Laurie Richardson

(AWA Vienna), Lesleigh Rizzi Brown (AIWC Genoa), Shawn Watson (AWC Bern), Teddie Weyr (AWA

Vienna) and Roberta Zöllner (Munich IWC).

Please note: images used in this publication are either sourced from our team, the authors

themselves or through canva.com, commons.wikimedia.org, pixabay.com or unsplash.com.

Please post a link for this issue of Inspiring Women,

"The Phases of Womanhood," in your club publications

until "Art Works - Women and the Visual Arts" is

published on December 4, 2025.

"Not having children

means you have

the freedom to

travel more."


Inspiring Women September 2025

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