About Us

About the American Womens Club in Copenhagen, Denmark

History

AWC in Denmark was founded in 1934 by U.S. Minister to Denmark , Ruth Bryan Owen, the first American woman to receive such an appointment. Ms. Owens was a former Congresswoman and member of the Foreign Relations Committee under President Franklin Roosevelt. She was daughter to the famous American statesman, William Jennings Bryant. Ms. Owens held the founding meeting at the Hotel D’Angleterre by inviting 26 American women to tea.

What we do

We hold monthly meetings with guest speakers, with Danish politicians such as Karen Riis-Jørgensen, or women’s health experts such as Dr. Niels Kroman. We organize tours to sites of historical and cultural significance, such as Folketinget and original buildings of Danske Bank or art exhibits at Ordrupgaard. We hold events connected to American holidays such as Thanksgiving and Independence Day. We have numerous activity groups with everything from tennis, quilting, reading and writing, walking, dinner clubs, bridge, coffee and wine tastings, etc.

Philanthropies

Here are examples of recipients of our philanthropic awards from the past two years.

2007 recipients

Blågårds Church Meals for the Needy received a gift card for 7,000 DKK toward the purchase of a much-needed freezer for the organizations's kitchen.

The Heart Pillow Project was awarded gift cards totaling 4,000 DKK for materials for producing more pillow for newly-operated breast cancer patients.. www.heartpillow.dk

2006 recipients

Muhabet is a place where all people can come and find understanding and support. It was established especially to help immigrants with psychological problems, for example those from war-torn countries, and their children. Everyone who stops in can get a cup of coffee, a bite of food, conversation or help, all free of charge. www.muhabet.dk

2005 recipients

Værestedet Drys Ind , provides a meeting place, organizes trips and activities and makes home visits to people without support networks

Foreningen for Senhjerneskadede Børn og Unge (FFSB) , an organization that provides social network, knowledge to children with brain damage and their families

In addition, the club for several years has contributed to Reden (a shelter for women involved in sex trafficking) by giving Christmas gifts of practical items for Reden to give out.