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Founded in 1977, the American Women's Club of Oakville (AWCO) is a non-profit organization serving both the community and its members. Membership includes U.S. born and naturalized citizens with the majority residing in the Halton and Peel regions of Ontario, Canada.
For many years, American women living in Oakville traveled into Toronto for meetings of the American Women's Club of Toronto (AWCT) which was founded in 1917. The distance and time involved was a challenge for many. In 1977, representatives from Oakville (Betty Warner, Mary Bowen, Lou Roszell, and Patti Fox) met with representatives of the AWCT to discuss the formation of an Oakville club. On May 31, 1977 the American Women's Club of Oakville came into being. In 2010, it admitted men, as do other American Women's Clubs. In May of 2016 the club changed it's name to American Women's Club of Southern Ontario.
Now in existence for over 35 years, the purpose of the club is to provide fellowship and social activities among Americans and to encourage participation in service to the community, both civic and philanthropic. The AWCO has fostered friendships among members, some of whom have settled permanently into the area. It brings together newly arrived Americans with seasoned members to provide fellowship and support with multiple social activities for assimilation into the community.
The Club has provided volunteers for the annual blood drive, a day of bell ringing for the Salvation Army, and assisted various other local charities. Highlights include a donation for the Millennium Clock in downtown Oakville (where the club's name may be seen engraved upon the pedestal) and a $25,000 donation to the Oakville-Trafalgar Hospital Foundation. In recognition of this contribution, the Quiet Room of the Special Care Nursery at the new hospital will be named in honor of the AWCO.
In addition to meeting on the second Thursday of every month, September through May, the AWCO sponsors monthly meetings, activities, and special events for members and their families.
For many years, American women living in Oakville traveled into Toronto for meetings of the American Women's Club of Toronto (AWCT) which was founded in 1917. The distance and time involved was a challenge for many. In 1977, representatives from Oakville (Betty Warner, Mary Bowen, Lou Roszell, and Patti Fox) met with representatives of the AWCT to discuss the formation of an Oakville club. On May 31, 1977 the American Women's Club of Oakville came into being. In 2010, it admitted men, as do other American Women's Clubs. In May of 2016 the club changed it's name to American Women's Club of Southern Ontario.
Now in existence for over 35 years, the purpose of the club is to provide fellowship and social activities among Americans and to encourage participation in service to the community, both civic and philanthropic. The AWCO has fostered friendships among members, some of whom have settled permanently into the area. It brings together newly arrived Americans with seasoned members to provide fellowship and support with multiple social activities for assimilation into the community.
The Club has provided volunteers for the annual blood drive, a day of bell ringing for the Salvation Army, and assisted various other local charities. Highlights include a donation for the Millennium Clock in downtown Oakville (where the club's name may be seen engraved upon the pedestal) and a $25,000 donation to the Oakville-Trafalgar Hospital Foundation. In recognition of this contribution, the Quiet Room of the Special Care Nursery at the new hospital will be named in honor of the AWCO.
In addition to meeting on the second Thursday of every month, September through May, the AWCO sponsors monthly meetings, activities, and special events for members and their families.
