American Women's Club of Brussels

The American Women's Club of Brussels, an asbl/vzw non-profit organization, was founded in 1949 by 36 American women residents in Belgium. Since then, the Club has grown to a membership which exceeded 1,000 in past years. The AWCB is also one of the few American women's clubs overseas to own its own Clubhouse, complete with library, English language DVDs, gift boutique, and café, to name a few. See our Clubhouse page for a complete description and photo of the clubhouse. With all of the varied activities and events that go on at the club, you’re sure to find something that interests you!

The Club’s primary objectives have remained the same throughout the years: to organize a center for philanthropic, social and cultural activities for its members, to engage in welfare and cultural activities which will contribute to closer Belgo-American understanding, and to foster fellowship for the American women resident in Brussels and environs.

Board of Directors

The AWCB annually elects a Board of Directors  which consists of nine officers, as well as numerous department Chair positions. They oversee the activities of the Club on a volunteer basis. The number of Presidential appointees varies as needed. Former AWCB Presidents who are still living in the Brussels area are invited to serve as Counselors to the Board.

Membership

There are various membership categories: regular, associate, fidelity, working women, family, academic, and non-resident . Please refer to our Membership page for further details.

Activities

The activities available to members are many and varied. You can read about them in the Club's Members Only section of our website. The Special Activities Department promotes on-going classes and activities in January and September each year.  Many other seminars and workshops are scheduled  throughout the year.

Each fall and mid-winter, the AWCB holds a series of classes for new arrivals to Belgium. These "Hints" classes give information on almost every subject of concern to newcomers. Membership in the AWCB is not required to attend these classes. Additionally, the Club publishes the comprehensive manual, The Hints Book: Living and Working in Belgium that is sold at The Gift Boutique and found at major English-language bookstores countrywide.

For further information on the types of activities available, please refer to our Club Activities page.

Social Events

Socially, AWCB members have many opportunities, such as the Fall Fiesta, the Gala Holiday dinner dance,  and annual Holiday Bazaar to name a few. The Free Spirits and Mothers of Young Children groups often plan wine tastings, couples' dine-outs, and other social events. Recreational activities of tennis, yoga and other forms of exercise are currently organized for interested members. The Tours Committee arranges one-day trips, weekend excursions, and lengthy tours through other parts of Europe as well as to Asia and Africa. The Mothers of Young Children group (MOYC) organizes many social activities for mothers and their children. They also sponsor fund-raising events when necessary. We also hold monthly art exhibits, in which the art is for sale to members and to the public.

Philanthropic Activities

Philanthropy has been one of three cornerstones of the American Women’s Club of Brussels’ mission since its founding in 1949. Today, the spirit of volunteerism and willingness to give back to the Belgian community is as strong as ever. Please see our Philanthropic Activities page for detailed information on our charitable activities.

Club Affiliations

Members of the AWCB enjoy close ties with both the local and international communities. In its early years, the Club formed three liaisons, linking it with the wider Belgian and international communities.

The AWCB joined the Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas (FAWCO) in 1950, beginning an association with other American communities on foreign soil. Membership in FAWCO provides an avenue for coordinated action on subjects of common interest. These include absentee voting, taxation, the transfer of U.S. citizenship to children born overseas, and the special concerns of dual-national couples. Through FAWCO, AWCB members and their sons and daughters are eligible to apply for merit scholarships awarded annually. Every member of a FAWCO club is automatically a member of FAWCO and is eligible to serve on committees, participate in conferences and meetings, and take part in activities. For further information on FAWCO, please refer to their website at http://www.fawco.org/.

In the mid-60s, the Club officially became affiliated with the Association Belgo-Américaine (ABA), strengthening ties with the citizens of the host country that had existed since the end of World War II. AWCB's close affiliation with the ABA opens many otherwise closed doors. Together with the Club President, the director of the ABA represents the AWCB at the memorial service honoring the fallen American soldiers from both World Wars held in Bastogne each May. If requested, they also participate in other services held in Belgium during May and June. Among the privileges AWCB members enjoy through the ABA are visits to private chateaux and behind-the-scenes tours of cultural facilities.

The AWCB is also affiliated with the International Study Group (ISG), which brings together women of all nationalities for cultural and social events. Their respective directors on the AWCB Board coordinate both the ISG and ABA programs.

To learn more about the AWCB and all we have to offer, please take some time and look around our website. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .