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

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

 


IWA is proud to announce the 2010 Woman Extraordinaire,

Marjorie Craig Benton

The Woman Extraordinaire Award Committee selected Ms. Benton for her special international work with women and children.  A biography of her extensive accomplishments will be included
in the invitation to be sent out in late January.  

The committee was motivated in its selection process by the book, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, written by Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.  Their premise is that “it is the brutality inflicted on so many women and girls around the globe” that is the moral challenge of the 21st century.  The committee felt our award recipient should be addressing these vital issues in her work.  Ms. Benton, a Chicagoan as the award requires, has spent her life helping others, and in particular, women and children around the world.  

Click here for more information and to register for the IWA 2010 Woman Extraordinaire program honoring Marjorie Craig Benton.


Nancy Knapp,

Woman Extraordinaire Chair 2010