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 by Tom Hanks held the keys to our foundation. Music, poetry, speeches – inspiring stories and heartfelt emotions – lifted each viewer from their homes and collectively encouraged a country and the world. 

This morning’s event was just as emotional, reassuring, and positive. My small part, the poem below, was inspired by Amanda Gorman’s poem, The Hill We Climb – which captivated hearts around the world. Adapted for our tiny corner of the globe, I enjoyed writing and reciting in her style. She is a truly inspirational young woman and I’m looking forward to what the next few years will bring – to our club, our country, and the world. 

 

The Ties that Bind 

(Inspired by The Hill We Climb – by Amanda Gorman)

When Founders’ Day comes we ask ourselves

what does the American Women’s Club of Antwerp mean to us?

The women we treasure and the ties that bind us,

are ideas to discuss –

We’ve learned that friends are not just. . . friends

 

The love that runs, within our club

borders closer to the love of sisters

or angels who protect, from above.

 

On this special anniversary,

We nod to the women,

who forged a path since 1929,

those women pioneers, left family, friends, and country behind

 

As we all did . . .  

they too

accepted a life, to start anew,

in a land far from home,

but they needed support – oh yes, yes, this they knew

 

On the 14^th of February, on a freezing cold day,

Ice strangled the Scheldt.

Forty women gathered, under skies of light grey,

to establish what we’d know as the AWCA

 

And for decades these women – laid the foundation

And built an organization

Empowering others,

to help one another,

bold women who hold the instinct to mother. . .

 

And with their philanthropic hearts beating hard in their chests,

They supported children, women, and victims of breast. . .

Cancer.

Times have changed,

But yet, throughout the decades

 

The women never stopped giving,

Improving standard of living –

 

For abandoned children and women fleeing from trafficking,

Helping women in Africa,

Our club helps right the wrong of what’s happening

 

But helping others means empowering their own,

Within the club, women have grown

 

We are the successors of a club

Where a former-accountant turned full-time mom,

never dreamed of becoming President

Only to find herself seated here before you.

 

As a President, a board, and a club, we are far from perfect,

For precision is not the purpose.

Thoughts, ideas, and disagreements, individually promoted

but that doesn’t mean we are not collectively devoted.

We are striving to compose a club

committed to supporting each other and women of all cultures, colors, and circumstances.  

 

Today, marks a year. . .

A year ago, we lived without fear,

We all embraced at the 91^st Founders’ Day

With our glasses held high, we toasted and cheered

The room swelled with laughter, a few happy tears.

 

But yet,

We’ve learned that luncheons and gatherings

Will never again be taken for granted.

 

On our 92^nd anniversary,

In the time that is COVID

When the world feels cold, alone, and loaded

with fear and uncertainty

we women march forward. Devoted.  

 

We’ve been tested,

A social club

That is socially distant.

And yet the time is ours

Before we knew it.

Somehow we’d do it.

 

Somehow we’ve gathered and watched

A club that’s surviving,

Nay, a club that is thriving,

Making the most of the time, we are biding

Until the moment we can embrace again – smiling.

 

Let us remember, at the very least, Anniversary number 92,

That even as we zoomed, we grew.

That even as we wondered, we knew,

That even as we tired, we stayed true.

 

True to ideals, the purpose, the plans

Connecting and supporting with virtual hands

 

Today, we turn our eyes onto the past

The future will turn its eye on us.

History will pass,

We held steadfast.

 

For we’re reminded of the 1930 motto,

Never hasty in judgment and always generous

For we know, that everyone of us,

Is awaiting the day for us to return,

to meetings, and gatherings – free from concern . . .

 

For when that day comes,

We will parade from the suburbs under green arches of trees,

We will parade from the cobbles of the city.

We will parade from the Netherlands, cross the border with glee

We will parade from the gridlock of the. . . E-19.

 

We will reconnect, restore, and recover.

 

Every woman in the club, will remember

Our club – beautiful and diverse, for we are its members.

 

The tie that binds us, is an unbreakable love

And time will heal it,

If we feel it.