Dear {Contact_First_Name},
May is a wonderfully vibrant month because of the several long weekends! Enjoy your short breaks away, but if you are here, we look forward to seeing you. If you only attend ONE event a month, please come to these:
VP OF PROGRAMS
I regret to share that our VP of Programs, Wendy Rohrbacher, has had to step down for personal reasons. We thank her for her dedicated service and wish her the very best. Gwen Calisch has been appointed as her successor; Gwen has been our Newsletter Editor for years and is active in the Women Who Gather organization team. She looks forward to collaborating with everyone to maintain our full schedule of activities. Welcome, Gwen!
SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
You are invited to a Special General Meeting, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 6:30pm.
The purpose of this special meeting is to vote on additional changes to our Club Constitution that have been requested by the Berlin Registry of Associations (Vereinsregister).
You may attend in-person or virtually via Zoom. You may also request an absentee ballot.
For a voting quorum, we need 32 members in attendance or absentee ballot so please RSVP here.
WOMEN WHO GATHER
As you know, our club has 3 pillars of work: social, cultural and philanthropic. Since last year, we have added a 4th pillar which is advocacy and activism. Check out our Women Who Gather for Democracy and Human Rights Advocacy description below and their series of events on the calendar and join their Discussion Groups on Signal.
I look forward to seeing many of you soon - let’s keep showing up for each other with heart and purpose.
With love,
My-Linh (on behalf of the Board of Directors 2026)
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My-Linh Kunst
President, The American Women's Club of Berlin The AWC Berlin is 100% member-run - we always welcome and appreciate your contribution, feedback and suggestions. Please email president@awcberlin.org. **Please note that, depending on your email program, you may need to click “View entire message” to see the Newsletter in its entirety.** |
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Women Who Gather
Are you looking for ways to advocate for a robust and equitable democracy? AWC’s Women Who Gather (WWG)— Democracy and Human Rights Advocacy is a group that supports democracy and human rights in the US by nonviolent, civil means. Our activities are organized around three main pillars:
- Learning - knowledge and inspiration
- Community - emotional support/resilience
- Activism - individual and collective action
Join one of our monthly potlucks, attend a roundtable discussion, become a member of our Signal chats (WWG Discussions, WWG Updates) or just reach out when the day’s political news has been particularly challenging. Everyone is welcome to join and suggest activities - you don’t have to be a US citizen. Instructions on how to get on Signal & join the Groups.
Questions? Get in touch with Jennifer Post Dräger, Kathy Lyon, or Katrin Völkner, or email parliamentarian@awcberlin.org.
In May, a special daytrip is planned:
Daytrip to Leipzig - Museum Tour: Dictatorship and Democracy After 1945
Join us on Thursday, May 7, 2026, for a guided tour of the permanent exhibition at the Zeitgeschichtliches Forum Leipzig, “Our History: Dictatorship and Democracy after 1945.” The exhibit covers the period from the founding of the GDR to its end and explores daily life in the GDR, as well as how and why it ended, including the role of the Monday Demonstrations in the Peaceful Revolution.
The tour will be followed by an (optional) à la carte lunch at the historic Auerbach's Keller. REGISTER HERE. |
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS! Becky Duke Petra Gulde
Silke Haladgian Rosemarie Salvucci
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If you know of anyone in our club who is going through a difficult time- whether it's due to illness, loss or another challenge- please don't hesitate to reach out to our Member Care team at membership@awcberlin.org. We're here to offer support and encouragement when it's needed most. Thank you for helping us care for one another! |
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Thanks to Melissa Fowler for updating our Members Recommendations Document. She culled the Neighborhood groups as well as our Members-Only Facebook group to retrieve new recommendations and updated the document, as well as added a new Table of Content. Check it out:
Members Recommendations document (updated March 11, 2026) LINK |
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SPRING FLING & MAY MONTHLY MEETING (evening) |
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Join us for our Spring Fling and May Monthly Meeting for Members where you will hear club news, socialize with fellow members and enjoy a fascinating speaker. Bring a friend! If you know someone who is interested in our Club or this month’s topic, invite her to join us, and add her to your registration in Wild Apricot.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 6:30pm-9:30pm
The Topic
We will have the rare chance to speak to an Emmy Award-winning journalist Kristin Fraser about her career, the changing news industry and her experience with the German/American journalism exchange.
Event Timeline
6:30pm Registration and Social Time (w/ welcome drink)
7:00pm-8:15pm Meeting
8:15-9:30pm Reception: Spring Fling |
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Kristin Fraser has had a front-row seat to the American news industry. In her 30-plus-year career, she has worked for almost every news outlet, including helming bureaus for CNN, Al Jazeera America and VICE News. She has seen the industry grow and contract as the way people consume news has evolved. The Emmy Award-winning journalist has worked for established network and news startups, covering breaking news and deep-dive documentaries, as well as podcasting. Fraser returned to Germany this May as a Berlin RIAS Alumni Fellow; her first fellowship with the German/American journalist exchange was in 2003. |
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If you missed Kendra's quarterly update sent over the weekend, please check your email box. In the update, the link to The Letter from the Director and the Video of the full performance of Our charity performance of The Vagina Monologues was broken. Here is the correct LINK.
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Quiz Night Friday, June 5, 2026
Back by popular demand, our 2nd Annual Quiz Night returns for an evening of fun trivia and friendly competition, all in support of our charity. Register yourself and you'll be matched with a team or bring your whole team of 4!
We are raising funds for our charity Donya Residence, a temporary home with 24/7 support for girls (12-21 years old) who are survivors of sexualized violence. |
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SPONSORS WANTED FOR QUIZ NIGHT
If you think your favorite business who might want to donate items or services for our Silent or Live Auction or prizes for the winners on Quiz Night, please contact Kendra at philanthropy.awcberlin@gmail.com. |
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IN-KIND DONATIONS TO DONYA
Our local charity Wildwasser e.V. and DonyA continue to have NEW REQUESTS for household essentials as they've had to replace many items recently. This cozy season is the perfect time to practice generosity, you might be surprised what's already in your home that could make a real difference!
What's Needed (see full list via link below):
✓ Kitchen essentials (pots, pans, appliances, cutlery, storage containers)
✓ Bedding and linens (sheets, towels, pillows, blankets, hot water bottles)
✓ Home basics (lamps, curtains, small furniture, bookshelves)
✓ Tech items (smartphones, charging cables, monitors, laptops)
✓ Personal care (hair dryers, running shoes sizes 36-42, new underwear)
✓ Games and activities (board games, sports equipment, art supplies)
How to Donate:
✓ New or like-new items only (good condition household items accepted)
✓ Drop off at Nelly H.'s (Zehlendorf) or Kirsten O'R.'s (Prenzlauer Berg for smaller items) or send directly to Wildwasser e.V.
- Donation receipts available for new purchases
See full LIST | Donation INSTRUCTIONS |
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FOR OUR AMERICAN MEMBERS
Get Out The Vote:
Register NOW at this website, please! Please share this with your overseas friends worldwide. |
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IRS launches new text chat for taxpayers outside the US
Taxpayers living outside the United States have a new and faster way to get help with transcripts and amended returns. The IRS has launched a live TEXT CHAT, a no-cost alternative to the traditional toll telephone line for international taxpayers. Text chat is available Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET and accessible at Contact My Local Office Internationally.
The chat service can assist with:
- Statuses of amended returns;
- Amended return process timeline; and
- Help with requesting transcripts.
For help with specific questions about accounts, taxpayers will need to verify their identity using ID.me. |
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AWC Berlin is a founding member of FAWCO, a network of American and international women's clubs around the world. As a member of AWC Berlin , you are automatically also a member of FAWCO, connecting you to philanthropy and advocacy on a global scale. Learn more at FAWCO.org. Go to www.fawco.org to register and subscribe to receive FAWCO newsletters, and for additional information, contact our FAWCO Rep, Veronica Riffle, at fawco.awcberlin@gmail.com |
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The FAWCO Calendar is filled with great virtual events and publications. These are available to every AWC Berlin member because each of us is also a FAWCO club member! There is so much on the FAWCO website (FAWCO.org) so take a moment to click on the site and see what might be of interest to you! If you have any questions please let me know fawco.awcberlin@gmail.com. Thanks, Veronica
Tuesday, May 5, 5 pm CET: Human Rights Team Open Meeting: The UN in Crisis – The UN at 80 and Its Future: Panel Discussion with Alex Vo, Pam Perraud and Sallie Chaballier.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 6 pm CET: The UN Team Presents: A Review of Commision on the Status of Women 70 with some of this year’s delegates.
Thursday May 28, 7 pm CET: Environment and Human Rights Team Film Night – On Sacred Ground, based on true events during the 2016 construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). The DAPL runs through the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota on land that is owned by the Lakota “Sioux” Tribe. |
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Here are two easy tips for people who want to understand FAWCO’s work better:
1) Register for an account on the FAWCO website. This will give you access to all of FAWCO’s content and information. Just click on “Log in” in the upper right corner of the homepage; when the pop-up window opens, click “Sign up” and follow the prompts.
2) Once you are registered on the website, subscribe to FAWCO publications! Click on “Subscribe” at the top of the homepage to get an overview of all of our newsletters and a form for subscribing. You will already be on your way to becoming a well-informed FAWCO member. |
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Inspiring Women
We hope you are enjoying looking back at some of the stories we published last year - we enjoyed compiling the 2025 Highlights issue and seeing it in print at the FAWCO Interim Meeting in Malta! Don't miss these AWC Berlin members: Syd Atlas (page 8), Dina Honour (page 17), Maggie Repp (page 17), Claudia Tessier (page 44), Kim Douglass (page 45), Liz Kang (page 45) and Rebecca Kimmons (page 51).
Keep an eye out for our Women in STEM issue on Thursday, June 4th! Subscribe for free and it will be delivered directly to your inbox as soon as it's available. Follow us on Facebook, too, to keep up with everything we're doing.
To keep up with everything we're doing, please follow us on Facebook. |
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Weekly- New Players Welcome Tennis Summer Season 14.04-206-17.09.2026 Tuesday int/adv., 10am-12pm Wednesday int/beginner and beginner 10am-12pm Contact Ferah at ferahlaue@gmail.com for more info.
Week of April 27 German Conversation Monday, April 27, 9:30-10:30am Regular Book Club Tuesday, April 28, 7-9pm Valiant Vegan Baking Course Wednesday, April 29 11am-1pm WWG Doku Watch Thursday, April 30, 6:30-9pm Movie: Devil Wears Prada 2 Friday, May 1, 2:30-4:30pm
Week of May 4 German Conversation Monday May 4, 9:30-10:30am Potluck with a Difference- Women Who Gather Tuesday, May 5, 7-10pm Leipzig Museum Tour: Dictatorship and Democracy After 1945 Thursday, May 7, 11am-3pm Monthly Coffee Morning aka Kaffee Klatsch Friday, May 8,10:30am-12pm
Week of May 11 German Conversation Monday May 11, 9:30-10:30am Spring Fling & Monthly Meeting for Members Tuesday May 12, 6:30-9:30pm Women Who Gather Roundtable Wednesday, May 13, 12-1pm Women on the Move-Schlachtensee Friday May 15, 10:30am Southwest Stammtisch Saturday, May 16, 10:30am-12pm Mysterious Mitte Tour- casual neighborhood sightseeing and tandem language tour Saturday, May 16, 4-6:30pm
Week of May 18 Brunch in Dahlem Tuesday, May 19, 12-3pm Regular Book Club Tuesday, May 19, 7-9pm Thirsty Thursday Thursday, May 21, 6:30-9:30pm
Week of May 25 Women Who Gather Roundtable Wednesday, May 27, 7-8pm Art & Culture: Brancusi at the Neue Nationalgalerie Thursday, May 28, 10am-1pm Guided Tour of the Kino International Friday, May 29, 10-11:30am Architecture Walking Tour: Kreuzberg (OPEN TO FAMILY) Sunday, May 31, 1-3pm |
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AWC BERLIN ONLINE AWC members can manage their account, access the membership directory and sign up for events by logging into their AWC member account. You can access your account from your smartphone via the Wild Apricot Mobile app, or simply by going on any computer with internet and visiting the "Members Login" area of the AWC Berlin website. Calendar and Event Registration As a reminder, AWC Berlin members must log in with a user name and password to access events on our calendar and register for them. So that we know to expect you, please remember to register for events you wish to attend.
IN THE MEMBERS ONLY AREA, you can:
- Register for and cancel events
- See your event registration
- Add events to personal calendar
- See who else is going
- Much more...
Step 1: Go to the AWC website and click "Members Login" (request new password from the website if needed). Manage your events from the calendar.
Step 2: You could also download the Wild Apricot Member app to your smartphone or tablet and use your website login on the app.
Step 3: Poke around and get familiar with the tools. See the Instruction Guide for detailed steps and pictures of set up and navigation. Currently, the event registration feature of the app is not available to Android users, but otherwise the app is fine for Android users. Questions? email membership@awcberlin.org |
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HELPFUL TIP ARE YOU USING OUR MOBILE APP?
AWC’s events calendar and membership directory live on a platform called Wild Apricot. Download the Wild Apricot App for Members to view and register for events, and access the membership directory. You can also add events to your personal calendar with just a click. |
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Logging In: You will have to log in the first time, using the same email and password you use for the AWC website member login (see AWC website section of this document).
Navigating: When first logging in, update your profile before registering for events. Select the Members tab to access the Members Directory. You can view and register for Events From the Events tab (iPhone only). To cancel your registration, go to “My Tickets”, click on the event, and click “Cancel”.
If you have any questions, please write to: membership@awcberlin.org
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AWC BERLIN FACEBOOK POLICY The AWC Berlin Private Members Only Facebook group is open to current members only and is a casual, respectful and friendly forum for member announcements (for example, babies! weddings!, etc.), discussion, information and questions regarding AWC-related topics and/or life in Berlin. Thank you for your cooperation! AWC Berlin Facebook Page | AWCB Website |
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AWC BERLIN WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
AWC Berlin has a WhatsApp Community where all of our WhatsApp groups reside. If you are the administrator on a WhatsApp group that is not already in our "AWC Berlin" Community, please email membership@awcberlin.org. The benefits of a Community include:
- Visibility into all AWC Berlin-related WhatsApp groups.
- Group chats are restricted to group members, but as a Community member, you can see the title and description of all the groups. If you are eligible to join based on the group's description, you are welcome to "ask to join" any of the groups.
- Administrators can make announcements to the whole community (e.g., for last-minute event info)
Currently, we have the following WhatsApp groups which are run by an array of amazing coordinators:
Neighborhoods: Charlottenburg, Westend, Schöneberg/Wilmersdorf, Mitte, Kreuzberg, Prenzlauer-Berg/Friedrichshain, Reinickendorf, Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Brandenburg
Interests: Afternoon Concerts, Berlinale, Book Club Charlottenburg, Book Club Southwest, Bowling, Citizenship, Classical Music, Community Volunteering, FAWCO, German learners, JFKS Families, Movie-Goers, Philanthropy, Professional Networking, Spanish, U30, U40, Vegan, and Women on the Move.
If you use WhatsApp and are not yet in the Community, write Nelly at membership@awcberlin.org - she will add you.
Our WHATSAPP policies are similar to our FACEBOOK policies
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Please do not post charity donation requests or political items not related to the AWC Berlin.
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No self-promotion. You are invited to let us know about your business on MARKETING MONDAY - in our private FACEBOOK group. Be sure to preface your post with MARKETING MONDAY. No more than one post per member each Monday.
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When in doubt, please send your questions to membership@awcberlin.org.
Thank you for your cooperation!
AWC Berlin Facebook Page | AWCB Website |
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