Oh, the Places You’ll Go! – Welcome AWCA 2021-2022 Board of Directors

Tags:

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! – Welcome AWCA 2021-2022 Board of Directors

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! – Welcome AWCA 2021-2022 Board of Directors

Welcome to the 2021 – 2022 AWCA Board of Directors – Written by Celeste Beran-Bennekers Inspired by Dr. Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go   Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!   You have ideas in your head, And directions to choose You have ZOOM skills a-plenty But long to swap slippers for shoes,   You’re not on your own. You’ve got a team full of women, Together you’ll find, which direction you’re driven!   Let’s host a meeting! A tour or two! Let’s meet our newcomers – it’s been too many

Continue Reading

The Ties That Bind – A celebratory poem in honor of the AWCA’s 92nd Anniversary

The Ties That Bind – A celebratory poem in honor of the AWCA’s 92nd Anniversary

Weeks ago, Ariadna and I were challenged – the American Women’s Club of Antwerp’s 92nd anniversary – our Founders’ Day celebration – was looming in the distance. How were we to celebrate this year, during COVID? With restaurants shuttered and socially distant mandates, we knew, this would be like no other Founders’ Day celebration.  But like so many events this past year, we were not alone in our confusion. We turned, instead, to the inspiration that zoomed across the world a few weeks ago. The inauguration of President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and the subsequent virtual Celebrating America hosted

Continue Reading

Back to School

Back to School

The following is an excerpt from a Letter from the President that I wrote to the membership of the American Women’s Club of Antwerp in September. At the time, I had spent almost five months at home with my children. Although it made me question my sanity, we had formed a bond. It was as if they were as close to me as joeys in a kangaroo’s pouch. We were contained in our own bubble  – as intense or as crazy as it was – it was ours. It felt safe. The morning I ushered them off to school I

Continue Reading

Brokenness & Hope

Brokenness & Hope

It has been a muddled few months. I’d moved houses, my children were at home, and the Coronavirus lockdown oppressed the city with its depressing quiet view. The only lights flickering through my days were the gorgeous spring weather and my WhatsApp messages. I’d barely gasped for air between unpacking boxes before Ariadna, the American Women’s Club VP of Membership reached out to me – “What do you think about this?” I give authority to whoever has a good idea. “Go for it,” I said, and I went back to laundry/homeschooling/the Board Meeting agenda. About a month ago, I clicked

Continue Reading

Ijs op de Schelde!

Ijs op de Schelde!

This morning, in a lovely little restaurant called Presence in Schoten, forty-two women gathered to celebrate the American Women’s Club of Antwerp’s 91st anniversary. With feathers in our hair and jazz music twinkling, we embraced, remembered, and honored our members celebrating mile-stone anniversaries and our club. Ariadna, our 2nd VP of Membership, worked tirelessly over the past few weeks to create the most amazing program. Constant phone calls and whatsapp messages flew between us. “Where are you now?” I’d ask as I sat at my computer updating luncheon payments. She was hopping all over the city – collecting videos and

Continue Reading

Life Love Hope

Life Love Hope

A festive vibe energizes the city. I’m on the number four headed towards the Nationale Bank stop. The passengers are filled with excitement despite the drizzle accumulating on the ancient tram windows. Darkness fell hours ago. I check my phone. 6:07 p.m. This is winter in Antwerp, days before Christmas. The tram eases to the stop. I descend the steps and walk on the glistening cobbles. The darts of moisture are in that in-between-stage, as any seasoned expat knows – it would be self-indulgent/wimpy to open an umbrella, but I left my hat at home. I glare at the rain

Continue Reading

AWCA Gala Evening

AWCA Gala Evening

The Indian summer air shimmies through the wide boulevard of the Meir – leaves on the towering trees dance. Shop lights glow in the twilight as the final shoppers are deposited, hands full of bags and eyes wide with excitement – the Saturday evening beckons. My dress bounces around my knees and high heels click on the pavement I’ve so often passed over – always pushing a stroller laden with cups, snacks, and a discarded jacket, shoe, or both. Tonight, a tiny gold purse dangles from my wrist. Freedom. I grab my husband’s suited arm and we sashay towards the

Continue Reading