History of the Hiroshima Women's Club

In the 1980’s, a gentleman by the name of Walter Enloe, principal of the Hiroshima International School, and Mayre Lee Clifton, editor of the newsletter “The Signpost”, were looking for a way to provide a service to the international community.  Their intent was to bring people together for monthly social and cultural events.  In the beginning this “International club” was to be open to both the foreign men and women of Hiroshima. But it was the female members who began to organize cultural and social events, field trips, and fundraisers. They even found an orphanage to support. A few Christmas dinners and parties were organized to involve the men folk, but by the spring of 1983, the Hiroshima International Women’s Club was in full swing. 

In the beginning, meetings were held in members’ homes, but later moved to the Luis Carol Restaurant.  However, as the membership grew beyond 30, the restaurant could no longer accommodate the club, so monthly meetings moved to the Grand Hotel.

Over the next six years, more members joined the Women’s Club and by 1989 there were over 80 members meeting together for business and lunch.  As a result, the Club moved its meeting venue to the Hotel Granvia, Hiroshima.  In 2001 the Club moved again to the Mielparque Park Hotel and in 2005 the Club relocated to its present venue, the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel.  In 1990 the Club’s mission, constitutional by-laws, standing rules and Club logo were introduced. 

Because of the Club’s mission, that being an English language support group for foreigners, all members needed to be reasonably fluent in conversational English.  During this time the by-laws were written so that membership of the Club would consist of approximately 50% foreign and 50% Japanese women.  To this day, the 50:50 ratio still remains an ultimate goal of the Club. 

By 1991, membership totalled 104 women.  Volunteer work continued to be a part of the Club’s activities which included translating at Hiroshima Castle, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Children’s Science Museum and the Hiroshima International Relations Organization.

Between the years 1990 and 2005 the HIWC has had continual growth in both membership numbers and the variety of Club activities offered.  In March, of 2005 the Club celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gala formal dinner party at the Prince Hotel.  Over 220 members of the Club, along with family and friends gathered to celebrate 25 years of international friendship. 

Today, the Hiroshima International Women’s Club still provides unique opportunities for all its members to share information, goodwill and international friendship.  The Club is an important support group for foreign women who have come to live in Hiroshima for a few years or for a lifetime.  Apart from the General Meetings which cover a wide range of topics, the Club also offers classes, interest groups, gatherings, activities, outings, tours, craft workshops, sports programs plus much, much more.  Volunteer activities are still an important part of the Club’s activities. Today, many members enjoy visits to the Shudoin Children’s Home and translation work for museums and other facilities. We are also very proud to have been able to make charitable donations to organizations within the Hiroshima area.