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Inner Wheel Day

Historical background

Why January 10th?

Inner Wheel Day is celebrated all over the world on January 10th as the anniversary of the day when Inner Wheel was first founded in 1924. Margarette Golding became the founder President and the name Inner Wheel was adopted on this day.

Mrs Margarette Golding

President Helena Foster (1969-1970) came up with the idea for a special day for a special organisation. She wrote a letter to all the Presidents around the world. Inner Wheel was truly the original and inspirational World Wide Web!

In her letter she wrote:-

I would like to ask all members of Clubs throughout the world to link together in ACTION on January 10th. I have chosen this special day because it was on January 10th 1924 that the Mother Club Inner Wheel, the Manchester Club, England, first adopted the name Inner Wheel. It can be interpreted in any way you think fit – in group or as individuals – giving personal service to someone who needs you – planting a tree or flowers to beautify some corner of your land, or just the simple act of writing a letter. I am sure that there is inspiration and encouragement to be gained by the knowledge that your fellow members throughout the world are at that moment joined together to extend service and friendship.

“The response to the first celebration of Inner Wheel Day was magnificent – we were filled with pride and happiness as the letters poured in, describing so vividly the infinite ways in which members had brought joy and comfort to so many.”

Editor Audrey Sargeant noted “Hundreds of letters from Clubs all over the world testify to the success of Helena Foster’s challenge.”

(quoted from International Inner Wheel The First 25 Years”)

It is now celebrated in many diverse ways, each of them reflecting the aims of Inner Wheel; friendship, service, and international understanding. Some Clubs have a social activity reflecting the friendship of members. Some members may help at a hospital or day centre or provide a tea party for the elderly or for needy children. Many clubs will light a Friendship Candle or contact other clubs abroad to wish them well.

We have had enquiries as to how Inner Wheel Day is celebrated today, in various parts of the world.

Here is a selection of thoughts :

We, the Inner Wheel members have a passionate commitment to the Vision given to us by our founder Margarette Golding – a Vision of women coming together in friendship to personally serve their community and develop International understanding. It is this that has helped Inner Wheel grow from just a single club in Manchester to an International woman’s organization with members drawn from diverse regions, cultures and religions, yet sharing the common goal of reaching out to those who need them. On this special occasion I also want to leave you with a thought --you must march forward and feel that what is ahead of you is better than what is behind you. Remember your yesterday but work for your tomorrow. As St Augustine said “Once you have said it is enough you are lost. Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing. Do not stop, do not turn back – your best is yet to come!!”

Remain proactive; continue to articulate the IIW theme 2007- 2008, ‘Communicate Our Vision’ internally and externally -- internally to our members to keep them motivated and externally to our families so that they can understand our commitment. We also need to reach out to the world outside Inner Wheel and communicate what we are achieving. In the process we will make our organization more attractive to new members and donors.

I wish you all the best in making this day a meaningful and satisfying one.

Yours, in Inner Wheel Friendship
Kamala Ramakrishnan
President 2007/2008

Dear Inner Wheel Friends

The 10th of January is a date on which we shall congratulate one another. Because of this date and the expansion of our organisation, women from so many countries are united in a community based on the same values. Therefore my birthday wish for the coming year is, that all clubs have this in common – to take in at least two new members and in that way make more women be a part of our community. There are many different ways of celebrating January 10th due to cultural and geographical differences.

In my club it has been a tradition for many years to have a friendship meeting with one of our neighbouring clubs. Normally the District Chairman joins this meeting. On this occasion we for instance make fundraising by having a Bring and Buy party. This meeting usually takes place in a private home. The Committee members prepare the food and the money paid for this food is used on different social projects.

I know that you all support fantastic projects but I want to use this opportunity to remind you of International Inner Wheel’s social project “Girls Education”.

Please have this project in your mind and have a wonderful birthday celebration.

Suzanne Nielsen
IIW Vice President
2007/2008

"Why is Inner Wheel Day special to me?

It is a day when I remember the many special friends I have from all over the world and realise that without Inner Wheel I would not have them. I try to envisage what they will be doing on that special day with their special friends.

Because the 10th January falls during the height of the holiday season in New Zealand, Clubs here are having their summer break which usually is from November to February. Many of our members are away from home holidaying at summer resorts, so there are often not many members around locally to celebrate with. Some of us shall meet in a local cafe for a coffee or a meal, and we give thanks to those women who had the foresight to initiate such a wonderful organisation."

Shirley Hope
IIW Constitution Chairman
2007/2008

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