Inner Wheel
Inner Wheel is an international women's organisation affiliated with the Rotary Club. The group provides a mix of social and charity functions in over 100 countries.
International Inner Wheel | |
 Where members volunteer in friendship to serve the communities worldwide. | |
 Office in the Philippines | |
| Abbreviation | IIW |
|---|---|
| Named after | Rotary Club emblem |
| Formation | January 10, 1924 |
| Founder | Margarette Golding |
| Founded at | Manchester, England |
| Type | Women's organization |
| Headquarters | Suite 2.3 MyBuro 20 Market Street Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 1PF |
| Location |
|
Region served | Global |
| Membership | 103,000[1] (2024) |
President | Mamta Gupta |
Main organ | International Governing Body (Executive Committee and Board of Directors) |
| Affiliations | Rotary International |
| Award | Margarette Golding Award |
| Website | www.internationalinnerwheel.org |
Inner Wheel is an international women's organisation affiliated with the Rotary Club. The group provides a mix of social and charity functions in over 100 countries.
History
[edit]The organisation was officially founded on 10 January 1924 by Margarette Golding, a nurse, businesswoman and the wife of a Manchester Rotarian.[2] She met with 26 other wives of Rotarians in November 1923. The first official Inner Wheel meeting was held on 10 January 1924 – this date is now known as "International Inner Wheel Day". This organisation was originally established for the wives and daughters of Rotarians although no Rotary connection is now required. Gradually other groups formed themselves into Inner Wheel Clubs and in 1934 the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland was formed.[3]
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The number of clubs around the world grew and in 1967 the International Inner Wheel came into being. There are clubs in many countries around the world. Inner Wheel clubs are grouped into districts with twenty-nine districts within Great Britain and Ireland. Helena Foster, who was the President in 1969–70, proposed that "Inner Wheel Day" should be celebrated on 10 January each year on the day that the original Manchester group adopted the name of "Inner Wheel" in 1924.[4]
The Inner Wheel expanded to become a global organisation. In 1973 it gained consultative status with the United Nations[5] in order to advocate on behalf of women.[6] In 2012, the group opened their membership to all women over the age of 18 and stopped requiring that spouses be a member of the Rotary. Thus, they ceased to be a women's auxiliary but remained affiliated with Rotary International.[4] By 2024, the organization counts 103,000 members across over 100 countries.[1]
Activities
[edit]
The shared Inner Wheel objectives are promoting true friendship, encouraging the ideals of personal service, and fostering international understanding but Individual chapters accomplish those goals based on local resources and interest. Socially, groups may meet for lunch[7] or sing karaoke.[8] For supporting charity, support includes raising funds for local hospitals[9] or plant trees.[10] To promote global understanding, groups have hosted a Pan-African forum[11] and celebrated International Women's Day.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Caggiano, Anthony (13 October 2024). "How Inner Wheel's women uplift each other and their communities". The Senior. Wyong, New South Wales: Australian Community Media. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ Crump, Eryl (8 April 2017). "North Wales birthplace of international women's group founder revealed". Daily Post. Colwyn Bay: Reach plc. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ Petitt, Jenette M. (April 1982). "The Inner Wheel". The Rotarian. Vol. 140, no. 5. Evanston, Illinois: Rotary International. pp. 22–23. ISSN 0035-838X. Retrieved 18 May 2025 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b Douglas, Trish; Farcon, Zenaida; Lunani, Sarita; Michelsen, Sissel Høihjelle; Phillips, Alan & Hathaway, Elaine (January 2024). Cheng, Yeok San (ed.). Inner Wheels: 100 Years of Friendship & Service (PDF). Gupta, Mamta; Remmler-Bellen, Dorothée; Arnoldus-Luiten, Marlies; Atkinson, Michelle; & Raghunandan, Prabha. Cheshire: International Inner Wheel. Archived from the original on 16 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025 – via Google Drive.
- ^ "List of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council as at 31 December 2022". ECOSOC. New York City: United Nations. 4 April 2023. p. 163. E/2023/INF/5. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ "Inner Wheel Club celebrates the United Nations 75th Anniversary". The Pioneer. Lucknow: CMYK Printech. 28 September 2020. Archived from the original on 20 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ Thomas, Yvette (28 March 2025). "Column: A jolly good lunch and 5,000 bras at Inner Wheel's meeting". Workshop Guardian. Sheffield: National World. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ Ringgit, Margaret (26 March 2025). "Inner Wheel District 331 celebrates unity and service at fellowship night". Sarawak Tribune. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ Hills, Maureen (16 September 2024). "Local Inner Wheel club supports MK Hospital charities". MK Citizen. Milton Keynes: National World. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ "ITBP, Rotary Club, Inner Wheel Club plant 400 saplings in Mussoorie". Garwhal Post. Uttarakhand. 14 July 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ Balogun, Luqmon (4 February 2024). "Inner Wheel Nigeria to Host 38th Conference in Lagos". Voice of Nigeria. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ Hayden, Vanessa (27 February 2024). "Inner Wheel Corowa volunteers gear up for fundraising luncheon". Region Riverina. Region Group. Retrieved 17 May 2025.