The History of IWAI
Before the establishment of the “International Women’s Association of Izmir” in October 2005, there was already an active Women’s group informally called the “Women’s dinner group.”
A trio of women, Seda Yildiz, Cary Cochrane and Janet Crisler, stepped forward to organize the group and marked the beginning of a new chapter in the organization of social events for international women in Izmir. The first dinner they organized took place in September 2004, at the Hilton Hotel and 32 women attended. The trio were a great combination resulting in the creation of a group that was to become popular and meaningful. Just three months later, at the 2004 December dinner, 92 women celebrated the festive season together.
Due to the rapid increase in numbers, it became apparent that setting up a legal association was required. With the help of Anneke Shaafsma (then Tatas) this process of creating a legal association, started early in 2005 and The International Women’s Association of Izmir was formally established in October 2005 by Carolyn D. Cochrane, Anne M. Schaafsma, F.Meral Sönmezgil, Cynthia J. Van Huet, Seda Aksoy Işık, Wietske L. Smits, Pürlen Denen.
Since then, IWAI has acquired many new members and expanded its activities to include a Mum & kids playgroups, charitable activities, and a monthly newsletter, to mention but a few. Every year the number of social and charitable activities increases as does the character of the membership. IWAI’s members come from all corners of the globe and contribute life in Izmir.
The traditional dinners that started it all, still regularly take place along with monthly coffee mornings which have expanded to twice a month at the Swissôtel.
A trio of women, Seda Yildiz, Cary Cochrane and Janet Crisler, stepped forward to organize the group and marked the beginning of a new chapter in the organization of social events for international women in Izmir. The first dinner they organized took place in September 2004, at the Hilton Hotel and 32 women attended. The trio were a great combination resulting in the creation of a group that was to become popular and meaningful. Just three months later, at the 2004 December dinner, 92 women celebrated the festive season together.
Due to the rapid increase in numbers, it became apparent that setting up a legal association was required. With the help of Anneke Shaafsma (then Tatas) this process of creating a legal association, started early in 2005 and The International Women’s Association of Izmir was formally established in October 2005 by Carolyn D. Cochrane, Anne M. Schaafsma, F.Meral Sönmezgil, Cynthia J. Van Huet, Seda Aksoy Işık, Wietske L. Smits, Pürlen Denen.
Since then, IWAI has acquired many new members and expanded its activities to include a Mum & kids playgroups, charitable activities, and a monthly newsletter, to mention but a few. Every year the number of social and charitable activities increases as does the character of the membership. IWAI’s members come from all corners of the globe and contribute life in Izmir.
The traditional dinners that started it all, still regularly take place along with monthly coffee mornings which have expanded to twice a month at the Swissôtel.