74 moments from our clubs. Point at a photo to see where it was taken, or tap it to see it large.

1986–2026

40 years of friendship without borders

From a few women around a table in Washington to a family of clubs on four continents and a voice at the United Nations. Scroll down and walk through our story.

1953the first meeting, in Washington
18clubs on four continents
17International Conferences
2020UN ECOSOC consultative status

1953
Marian Wood Adair (1908–2004)

On May 5, Marian Adair invites the wives of six diplomats, each from a different country, to her home in Washington: the first meeting of the small international group that grew into the Welcome clubs.
1959
Welcome to Washington International Club today

Marian Adair and eight friends found the Welcome to Washington International Club. 135 women come to the first meeting on April 13.
1986
Members of WCI clubs in dress from their home countries

Marian reaches out to former members who had started Welcome clubs in London, Denver, Brussels, Florida, Zurich, Ottawa and Taiwan. Together they become Welcome Clubs International.
1988
The first trip together: members travel to Taiwan at the invitation of the Taipei club.
1990
Welcome to London hosts the first International Conference; from now on the clubs meet every two years.
1994
In Denver, guests are first invited to dinner in members’ homes, a conference tradition ever since.
2001
WCI turns 15, and theLINK magazine begins its new series with Volume 1, Number 1.
2002
The Marian Wood Adair Fund is created, today’s Founder’s Fund.
2008
The first “Cup of Friendship” tea on International Women’s Day, held by clubs around the world.
2010
The first Marian Adair Award is presented at the conference in Porto Alegre.
2011
WCI celebrates 25 years and starts an International Cookbook with recipes from every club.
2016
The International Women’s Association of Prague, hosts of the 2016 conference

After the conference in Prague, the Executive Committee begins the discussions that lead to the WCI Education Initiative.
2017
In May, meeting in Cyprus, the Board of Directors approves the WCI Education Initiative: to foster the education of women to help create a better world.
2020
On June 24, WCI receives Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The pandemic cancels the Jakarta conference, and the Board meets online for the first time, with every club taking part.
2021
WCI celebrates its 35th anniversary online on May 4.
2023
Flyer of our first parallel event at CSW67

WCI holds its first parallel event at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67).
2024
Welcome to Taipei International Club, hosts of the 2024 conference

The clubs meet in person again at the conference in Taipei, and the Founder’s Fund becomes a U.S. tax-exempt 501(c)(3) fund.
2025
Welcome to Florida International Club, hosts of the 2025 Board meeting

At the Board meeting in Naples, Florida, Welcome to London rejoins as our 18th member club.
2026
17th Biennial Conference, Jakarta 2026

Forty years of WCI, celebrated at the 17th conference in Jakarta and Yogyakarta.
2028
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, host city in 2028

The story continues

The next chapter is being written by our clubs today. The 18th International Conference will bring us together in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in April 2028.

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