History of the Club

The American Women’s Club had its tenuous beginnings back in the early spring of 1942, immediately after the entrance of the United States into World War II. American soldiers were being sent here for basic training. The army called up all Americans living on the island to see what could be done to help the morale of the boys. About twelve women formed the “Helping Hand Club”. Ada Cohen and Florence Delvalle were of this original group. They met every week and baked cakes, sewed on buttons, had parties for dancing, cards, etc., until USO came to Curaçao and took over. They kept together as a group however and continued helping wherever they could, even sewing garments to be sent to Holland.

After the war the urgency for the club dwindled and finally the membership was down to three. However in 1948 Dr. Hopkins told the club that if they wanted to have a Thanksgiving Day Party for all of the Americans on the island at his home and would supply the food, he would supply all of the drinks. This party was the beginning of a revitalized club. And there has been a Thanksgiving Party ever since! Gradually other activities were added, such as the Children’s Xmas Party, adoption of the Greek boy Photios Spyratos, helping with the crippled children every month, supporting the “Old People’s Home”, and also aiding other charity groups on the island.

The organization in its present form as the American Women’s Club, with a constitution, election of officers and a definite formal basis as a club began in June, 1957 and has continued until the present day. Many of our fund-raising projects have been continuously successful and are still part of our yearly agenda.

The American Women’s Club has proven its value to Curaçao not only as a charity organization, but also as the center of social activity for all new Americans coming to a strange country. Through the many warm friendships that have been formed it has proven its “cause for being” many times over.

(Written by Virginia Oenes, Club President 1957-58 and 1958-59)