About Us – Club of Indian Women

CIW’s Mission

The Club of Indian Women aims to empower Indian American Women through support groups and financial resources.

CIW’s Vision

All women should have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Our Current Board

Board of Directors: 2023-25

President: Pramila Malhotra	Vice President: Madhu Uppal	Treasurer: Pankaj Tanna
Joint Treasurer: Preeti Chawla	Secretary: Falguni Rana	Joint Secretary: Alka Sood

Board at Large

Neerja Aggarwal	Ranjana Bhargava	Usha Gupta
Vinita Gulabani	Suman Katyal	Achla Khanna
Usha Wasan	Mamta Bhargava	Sarita Sood
Deepti Suri	Sangita Tandon	Tara Swaminathan
	Trustee: Urmilla Chawla	Trustee: Manju Gupta
Trustee: Rani Jain	Trustee: Suman Mohlajee	Trustee: Prem Sharma
Parliamentarian: Vandana Bankapur

President’s Message (Pramila Malhotra)

Dear Friends of Club of Indian Women,

I am honored to serve as a President of the Club of Indian Women again (2023-2025). I have been associated with the Club since 1978 (when we first moved to Chicago), and over the years, I have served in various positions on the Board. I am grateful to each and every one of you who has contributed to the success and growth of CIW for over the past 47 years as we embark on another year of serving our community and promoting the empowerment of Indian-American women in the Chicago area.

Since our inception, our mission has remained steadfast: to promote the self-growth of our members, advocate for the interests and issues facing Indian women settled in Chicago, foster intercultural exchange, engage in community affairs, facilitate networking opportunities, and raise funds to support our collective mission.

Over the past years, despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, CIW has continued to thrive through virtual events, educational seminars, professional workshops, and charitable endeavors; we have remained connected and have engaged our members, exemplifying the spirit of resilience, unity, and compassion that defines our organization.

Looking ahead, my vision for our CIW is to make it more visible and recognized in suburbs & the Chicago Area. I am so excited to be working with our team members on creating a brand-new website for CIW which will be accessible to all members and provide all pertinent information about our Club.

Throughout the year, CIW offers an exciting lineup of events and initiatives, including networking events, community service projects, cultural festivals, and fundraising campaigns.

I encourage each of you to get involved, share your ideas, and contribute your talents and expertise to help us achieve our goals. We are open to suggestions.

As we celebrate our past achievements and look forward to the future, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting one another, uplifting our community, and making a positive impact in the world around us. Together, there is no limit to what we can accomplish. As we reflect on our journey thus far, it is clear that we have made significant strides in achieving these objectives, thanks to the dedication and commitment and support of our members

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as your president, and I look forward to continuing this journey

Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to the Club of Indian Women.

With warm regards,

Pramila Malhotra
President, Club of Indian Women
(Year 2023-2025)

CIW History

To meet the social needs of Indian women who migrated to America, a women’s club was formed in 1977. In 1982, the club evolved into the Club of Indian Women (CIW), when its status became formal with the adoption of its by-laws and its distinctive logo. In doing so, CIW became a landmark women’s organization.

In 1983, CIW established the Indo-Crisis Line (ICL). This 24-hour telephone hotline was designed to address the needs of women and youth in crisis.

The experience of the ICL members was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the first shelter for battered and abused Asian women in the United States.

CIW Offshoots

In 1993, the Indo-Crisis Line was renamed CIW Humanitarian Services. This division worked to further the educational aspirations of women. Each year proceeds from various fundraising efforts support CIW’s scholarships to Indian women in need.

Also in 1993, Humanitarian Services formed the Senior Citizens from India Association to facilitate senior’s adjustment to life in their adopted country. This group hosted meetings to discuss topics of importance to seniors, including fitness, Social Security, Medicare, immigration laws, and physical and emotional well-being.

In 1986, the Network of Working Women, another CIW division was created. This professional group often addressed issues unique to Indian working women – dual values, cultural differences, ethnicity, discrimination, and obstacles to career advancement. Each year, the Network sponsored two seminars that focused on various business and professional topics.

Past Presidents