1977
The Beginning
To meet the needs of Indian Women who migrated to The United States of America, a women’s club was formed.
1982
CIW is formed
The club evolved into a Club of Indian Women (CIW) when it’s status became formal with the adoption of it’s by-laws and it’s distinctive logo. In doing so CIW became a landmark women’s organization.
1983
Indo Crisis Line (ICL)
CIW established the Indo-Crisis Line (ICL). This 24 hour telephone hotline was designed to address the needs of women and youth in crisis.
1989
Apna Ghar
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 of America.
cCIW Offshoots
1993
CIW Humanitarian Services
The Indo-Crisis Line was renamed CIW Humanitarian Services. The 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.
1993
Senior Citizen from India Association
Humanitarian Services formed this 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.
1986
Network of Working Women
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.
History of the Chicagoland Club of Indian Women
The mission of the Chicagoland Club of Indian Women is accomplished with each activity we organized, and the future of cCIW is promising and bright.
The Chicagoland Club of Indian Women’s mission is to promote the self-growth of its members, focus on the interests and issues of women from the Indian subcontinent, encourage inter-cultural exchange, participate in community affairs , assist its members in networking with other individuals and organizations with similar activities and concerns, and raise funds to support our goals.
We initiated cCIW with the motto ‘For the women, by the women, and of the women’. Later we added another motto, ‘Not only for us but for others also’.
As we look back and reflect, it overwhelms us how much the Chicagoland Club of Indian Women has done in forty-nine years. Our list of activities upholds our calling and quest to reach out to women and make a difference in their lives.
cCIW activities have focused on learining, and supporting each other, and the communities at large. cCIW organized a variety of outings to broaden the experiences in areas of interest. Of the innumerable activities and endeavors, we highlighted at least 45 of on the 45th Anniversary of the Club of Indian Women on December 2nd, 2022.
- Demonstrations and Presentations: Cooking, photography, yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic way of life, self-care, healthy living, balanced diet, beauty tips, table settings, dancing, and safety instructions.
- Seminars and Panel Discussions: We addressed topics of great importance to us, the new immigrants fifty years back. We had new challenges to face in this country regarding raising children, limited family support, domestic violence, and racial discrimination. Now we are addressing issues like health, finances, wealth management, aging and retirement.
- Discussions and Literary Slams: These are some of the activities that gave our members a platform to express their points of view and share their creative writing. These activities have become annual events and are well attended with good participation.
- Fairs and Fetes: For many years we organized Meena Bazaar and promoted small businesses owned by South Asian Women. We enjoyed slumber parties, fashion shows, skits, picnics, and special programs for the senior in our community. We also participated in Summerfest and created a platform for children’s talent shows. We also held health fairs and arranged art exhibitions.
- Two strong arms of the Club: The Indo-Crisis Line and the Network of Indian Women: Through the 24/7 Indo Crisis Line (Hot Line), we reached out to women in distress in this country for the first time. Since such involvement required special training, a high level of confidentiality, and access to shelter homes, this arm spring boarded the foundation of another organization named Apna Ghar, Inc. (My Home), for Asian women and children.
Eventually, Indo-Crisis Line merged with Apna Ghar, Inc. cCIW continues to support it every year since it’s inception.
The Network of Indian Women gave a platform for professional women and self-employed businesswomen to network. We also compiled purple pages for Network members so that they could reach out to each other, create synergy, and grow in their respective fields.
- Outings: were super enjoyable like Picnics, Plays, Art Museum, Riverwalk, Botanical Garden, the Chicago River Architecture Cruise, and more.
- Supported other Indian Organizations: with the funds we had now accumulated from our various activities and donations of generous supporters. We supported India Development services, the Indian American Medical Association Charitable Foundation, the Association of Indians in America, the Federation of Indian Associations, the Humanitarian Committee of The Hindu Temple of greater chicago, Lemont, Illinois, Indo-American Center, Mandi Theater, Meals of Wheels, DuPage Food Pantry, and the list goes on.
- CIW hosted a special high tea for Maharani of Jaipur Gayatri Devi at the Polo grounds in Oak Brook, IL; CIW invited Shabana Azmi for lunch. We have also invited the Mayor of Oak Brook, Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, and the Mayor of Burr Ridge Gary Grasso to many of our events. Counsel Generals of India in Chicago have also graced our gatherings many times.
- Annual Banquet: now the Halla-Gulla holiday event, Valentine’s Day celebration, our fun gatherings have also been a source of raising some money which cCIW has used to donate to causes like sex trafficking, thanksgiving dinner for the homeless, giving a few scholarships to women in need, and whatever the club thinks are worthwhile causes.
cCIW is not done, the initial leadership stood with CIW for all these 49 years. Now we are confident that the young members will take cCIW int he direction the new challenges demand. The compass is in their hands and our growing membership force is with them.
Submitted by Urmilla Chawla, Prem Sharma, and Suman Mohlajee, Board Trustees.