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AMERICAN CLUB FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN
Founded in 1928, the American Club for International Women, Mumbai provides a warm and welcoming community through the promotion of social, philanthropic, cultural and educational activities for expatriate women living in Mumbai. ACIW Mumbai is a social charity club of women from many countries. It is the oldest expatriate club in Mumbai and is run by a Voluntary Board elected from the general membership. The Board organizes activities and events to help members discover their new home, giving them an opportunity to meet other like-minded women and to support the activities of charities. The Club has close ties with the US Consulate - the spouse of the US Consul General is also the Club's Honorary President.
ACIW Mumbai is a member of FAWCO, Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas, an international network of independent volunteer clubs and associations. FAWCO is a UN-accredited NGO with Special Consultative Status to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It is a member of the Committee of NGOs and the Committee on the Status of Women in Geneva, New York and Vienna, and is represented on the Committee for Human Rights in Geneva and the Committee for Families in New York. In 2012, FAWCO joined the UN agency for gender equality and the empowerment of women (UN Women).
Our current membership consists of a diverse international community within the club, with over 100 members from various countries including those from Europe, South-East Asia and North America. Many of our members are from the United States, making up approximately half of our total membership. Our current membership represents 18 countries across 5 continents.
Our History
In 1927, while hosting a Christmas Party, Mrs. Frances Brown Brough realized that there were 22 American women living in Bombay with a lot of time on their hands and a desire to learn more about the city of their adoption. A year later, a group of 13 women came together and founded the American Women’s Club of Bombay.
In an interview on February 21, 1953, on the Club’s 25th Anniversary, Mrs. Brough was asked about the success of the club: “It’s a simple thing. The Club has survived these twenty-five years because its members have tried to do something for other people.”
What began as a Club for American Women quickly expanded to include an International membership; In 2018, in celebration of its 90th Anniversary and to accurately reflect the diversity of the membership, the Club name was changed to American Club for International Women, Mumbai. To date, with the support of sponsors, donors and our amazing members, the Club has donated over $150,000, making a difference in the lives of many.
About BCPT
ACIW works closely with the Bombay Community Public Trust (BCPT). This is where we send funds we receive from various fundraising activities. As a result, we disburse these funds towards various charitable causes. BCPT emerged to address Mumbai's need for an organization with a broad developmental vision. As a "People’s Foundation," BCPT focuses on social, educational, health, and environmental challenges in Mumbai. It champions a partnership approach, linking donors and companies with NGOs and projects that aim to improve the city's welfare, demonstrating a collective commitment to fulfilling social responsibilities and enhancing the well-being of its citizens.
ACIW Women Together: Moments of Joy
Our 90th Anniversary Highlights
In 1930 the first Gala, The American Tea Dance, was held in the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Since then the Club has held a Gala event every year to raise funds for charities. On May 12, 2018 a 90th Anniversary Gala Dinner and Dance was held with a Memorabilia Walk, Live and Silent Auction, Dinner and Dancing to 9 decades of music. Guests celebrated and opened their hearts to raise a record amount to be donated to the poor and disadvantaged in Mumbai.