About IWA Overview

International Women Associates (IWA) is a unique gathering and learning place that connects a group of women dedicated to the pursuit of global understanding and universal human rights.  The membership is comprised of approximately 450 members from some 60 countries. Their backgrounds include many different professions and diplomatic affiliations as well as experience and interest in international education, economics, and culture.

IWA was established in 1978 as part of the International Visitors Center of Chicago under the leadership of Doe Thornburg, OBE, who remains active in the organization. Thornburg has devoted her life and career to organizing innovative exchanges of ideas among people of many nations. She states, “I believe that person-to-person contacts can change lives in valuable ways that can never be measured completely.”

In 1994 IWA became a fully independent entity. It is a private, volunteer not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) .

IWA belongs to Open Door, an international umbrella organization of 80 women’s groups in 40 countries.

 



Online Reservations for IWA Events and Membership Renewals

To register for many of our upcoming, exciting events, click HERE to go to the main IWA Event Registration Page.

Click here to renew your 2010 Resident Membership to IWA.

Click here to renew your 2010 Non-Resident or Consular Corp Membership to IWA. 

 

 

 

 

SAVE THE DATE: RISING VOICE OF WOMAN AWARD ON OCTOBER 14, 2010

IWA is pleased to announce that Ambassador Prudence Bushnell has been selected to receive its 2010 Rising Voice of Woman Award. As the former U.S. Ambassador to Kenya and Guatemala and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Bushnell has been on the front lines of U.S. international policy throughout her 23 years in diplomatic work.  No matter what the challenge, Bushnell responded to each crisis with extraordinary courage, resolve and strength.  Based on her remarkable experience, she will focus her remarks on leadership in times of crisis and in an age of terrorism.

 

Ambassador Bushnell will receive the award and make her address on October 14, 2010 at the Chase Bank Auditorium in Chicago.  The event will begin at 5:30 p.m.  Formal invitations will be sent on in early September.  If you are not an IWA member and would like to receive an invitation, please contact the IWA office at iwa@iwachicago.org or 312.263.1421.