When we think of tradition, we often imagine old buildings, library archives, or photographs in albums. Yet true tradition is alive; it is a space created every day by people, their passions, and their relationships. Such a tradition is embodied by the International Women’s Club of Stockholm, which in March 2026 will celebrate its 65th anniversary.
For newcomers to Stockholm, life in a foreign country can be challenging. This need for understanding and community was recognized in 1961 by the women who founded the Club, Sissi Rasmussen and nine other young wives and mothers. Their idea was simple: to create a space for meetings, conversations, mutual support, and discovering a new country. Over time, this modest social club grew into an international community founded on friendship, education, and philanthropy.
Sixty-five years later, IWC Stockholm not only brings together around 300 women from over 60 countries, but it also actively supports those in need. This year’s gala at Berns, held in aid of Jontefonden, reminds us that the true strength of the Club lies not only in elegant events or cultural gatherings, but in the daily commitment to social engagement and empathy.
Celebrating such a milestone is also a chance to reflect on how a community can make a difference, not immediately, but steadily, through small, meaningful gestures: a conversation over coffee, welcoming a new member, or organizing an event that genuinely helps those in need. IWC Stockholm shows that women have the power to build bridges connecting cultures, experiences, and generations.
Sixty-five years of activity is more than just a history of the Club; it is the story of hundreds of women who, over decades, have added pieces of their heart, talent, and care to the world. The March gala will therefore be not only a celebration but a symbol of the enduring strength of friendship, solidarity, and philanthropy, thriving even far from home.
As one long-standing member says, “The Club means more to me now than ever before.” This is the essence of the story, about presence, empathy, and women’s solidarity that knows no borders.
2026. 02.05 Stockholm