• The Beginnings

• History of the Australian Association of Lyceum Clubs

• History of the Lyceum Clubs in Cyprus

• History of the Lyceum Clubs in Finland

• History of the Lyceum Clubs in Germany

• History of the Lyceum Club Lisbon

• History of the Lyceum Clubs in the Netherlands

• History of the International Lyceum Club of Philadelphia

• History of the Lyceum Club Stockholm

Like many of life’s great achievements, the International Association of Lyceum Clubs began as a dream—the dream of a young woman and a small group of her friends, living in London in the early years of the twentieth century. The young woman’s name was Constance Smedley and she and her friends, Christina Gowans Whyte, Elsa Hahn, Violet Alcock, and an American, Jessie Trimble, were members of the Writers Club.

By 1902, women were moving tentatively into the male professional world and it is not unrealistic to suppose that Constance and her group, observing men, comfortably ensconced in their London Clubs, began to wonder “Why not Women?”

As they talked among themselves, the group began to envisage, “an ideal Club [for women] with its branches in all countries of the world and [a] chain of Clubhouses” in the world’s chief capitals. In essence, they had foreseen the present world of Lyceum.

Constance was chosen by her “chief coadjutors,” as she liked to call her four friends, to approach the Committee of the Writers Club with such an idea. In her autobiography Crusaders, she tells how she was asked by the Committee of the Writers Club, “And who is to organize this?”

Full of youthful confidence, and perhaps a touch of bravado, she replied, “I will.” To her “amazement, disgrace and shame,” the Committee turned her down.

However, this rebuff motivated, rather than deterred Constance. The decision was taken by the group to “start a new Club,” and although the group had no money, they were determined to pursue their dream. They therefore decided that they must first form a Provisional Committee. As their proposed Club was then intended only for “writers and illustrators,” Constance forwarded out the first letters, sixty in all, to prominent women in these fields. Only two offered their support.

Still undaunted by the lack of interest, she wrote back again to those who appeared to refuse regretfully, and also to other women she hoped might be interested. Slowly a Provisional Committee began to take shape.

At this stage, they began to realise that if there was to be a Club, there must be a Clubhouse in which to meet. Constance and her friends turned to her father, Mr W. T. Smedley, for help. A successful businessman, he was experienced in financing and the purchase of property, and blessed with a modern point of view. Mr Smedley believed women were entitled to “a professional life and full freedom of development” and he promised to help them find a suitable building. However, like all the best fairytales—and in a way, the founding of the first Lyceum Club, does have some of the aspects of such a tale, there was a condition.

First, the Provisional Committee must secure a thousand members at an annual subscription of a guinea (twenty-one English shillings) each. Even this prospect did not dissuade Constance from her objective. As she says in her autobiography, Crusaders,  “The oddest part about the founding of Lyceum was that in all the discouragement of the start, it never occurred to me to lose faith for one moment in the idea.” So there were more letters and more interviews.

The name, “Lyceum,” was suggested by the American Jessie Trimble for the new Club. In the United States, the name was known as representing a centre for lectures and discussions, while in Europe, where the term had originated many centuries ago in Athens, the term was equally understood.

By then the group had decided that its membership must be open to more than just writers and artists. Constance Smedley’s sister suggested women with academic qualifications be accepted, and a third group was included, “wives and daughters of distinguished men.”

Finally, the group decided it was necessary to have a recognisable, well-respected woman to lead this new Lyceum Club. One of the group suggested Lady Frances Balfour, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, and the sister-in-law of the British Prime Minister, Arthur Balfour. Lady Frances, a fluent speaker, was devoted to women’s issues and though she spoke often at suffragist public meetings, she was not in favour of violent protests. Although she had decided to refuse the invitation to lead the Provisional Committee, Lady Frances arranged to meet with Constance. As she listened to the plans for the new Lyceum Club, her attitude changed and she decided to accept their invitation to become the first Chairman of the Provisional Committee. For fifteen years, she served as Chair of the Executive and President of the Club. Lady Frances had been a superb choice.

Soon it became evident, that 1000 members would be forthcoming for the new London Lyceum Club. The first election notices were issued in March 1903; the new Clubhouse followed a year later in Piccadilly.

1. This history is based on material contained in the following book: Constance Smedley, Crusaders: The Reminiscences of Constance Smedley (Mrs Maxwell Armfield) (London: Duckworth, 1929).

HISTORY OF THE AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION OF LYCEUM CLUBS

The Australian Association of Lyceum Clubs Inc. is an Association of five Australian Lyceum Clubs. It was formed in 1972/3 following the XVII Congress of the International Congress of Lyceum Clubs which was held in Melbourne in 1971, the first such meeting in the Southern Hemisphere. The AALC is managed by a Secretariat which rotates to a different state every three years. A constitution was drawn up in 1992, approved by the different Clubs, and by the Corporate Affairs Commission of South Australia. The AALC was registered with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) in 1999 to comply with Federal Government legal requirements. The logo, based on a design for the Lyceum brooch submitted by a member of the Zurich Lyceum Club in 1934, was registered in 1996 as a trademark, as was the logo with the name Lyceum.

The first women's Club in Australia was the Karrakatta Club in Perth, Western Australia, which was founded in 1894 to bring women together for mutual improvement and social engagement. Following the founding in 1904 by Constance Smedley of the Lyceum Club in London, several Lyceum Clubs were founded in Australia. In 1923 the members of the Karrakatta Club decided that their aims would be enhanced by becoming members of the International Association of Lyceum Clubs. Today the Karrakatta Club has nearly 400 members and provides regular lectures. The Club owns its own premises in the National Trust listed "Lawson" building in central Perth, and also offers accommodation.

The largest of the five Lyceum Clubs is the Lyceum Club in Melbourne with a membership in excess of 1300. It was founded on March 21, 1912 with a membership of 25 women. Using the example of the London Club, members had to be university graduates or distinguished in the field of art, music, literature, education or philanthropy and many early members were pioneers in their field. This requirement remains today. After renting premises for fifty years the Club purchased land and built premises in the heart of Melbourne. These premises were designed for women to use as a home away from home and have recently been renovated. The Club offers modern accommodation and rooms for meetings, dining and relaxation. A multitude of programmes are available to members during the day and in the evening. Currently the Club has 40 circles of interest ranging from writers, music, drama, finance, history, French, Spanish, Italian and German plus a large and active Bridge group.

A member of the Lyceum Club in Melbourne, Caroline Travers, was the first International President of the IALC from the southern hemisphere.

The Lyceum Club in Brisbane was established in 1919 by a small group of women representing university graduates, and the teaching, journalistic, medical, dental and legal professions. They established the club in conformity with the Lyceum Club in London. They began with fifty members, and hired a room with a tiny kitchenette, the furniture and crockery donated by members, and the room available for use by members at any time. They met formally at night on the first Monday of the month, when evening dress was worn. The Club moved premises several times and sadly many of the records pre 1940 no longer exist. The present Club rooms are located in central Brisbane.

The aim of the club is to share and foster interest in the arts, literature, music, science, education, journalism and current affairs.

The Lyceum Club in Adelaide was founded in 1922 when fifty five women prominent in artistic, musical and professional circles achieved their aim of starting a Lyceum Club based on the Lyceum Club in London. Qualifications for membership complied with those of the London Lyceum Club, with which it became affiliated a few months after its foundation. Rooms were leased initially, and in the following years the Club has moved several time settling in January 2000 into premises located within a heritage building in central Adelaide. Membership is currently 187 and there are seventeen circles which meet monthly.

The Lyceum Club in Sydney is the newest and smallest of the Australian Lyceum Clubs. It was founded originally in 1914, but with a dwindling membership it ceased to exist as a corporate entity in 1982. Eight years later the Club was revived. In 1992 it became a member of the IALC and the AALC. The Club has 87 members who meet regularly in the Union, University and Schools Club in central Sydney, with monthly luncheons, dinners, guest speakers and art and literary circles.

HISTORY OF THE FEDERATION OF WOMEN’S LYCEUM CLUB AMMOHOSTOS CYPRUS

Establishment of the Lyceum School of Music 1930

Teaching piano, violin, guitar, recitation, ballet, theory, theatre

HISTORY OF THE LYCEUM CLUBs IN FINLAND

There are three Lyceum clubs in Finland: in Helsinki, Turku and Oulu

Helsinki
The Lyceum club in Helsinki was founded in 1932 and thus it is the oldest club in Finland with about 140 members. As Finland is a bilingual country, the Helsinki club is also bilingual with Finnish and Swedish as its languages. During autumn and spring the club arranges programs for its members every Tuesday. The programs include mostly lectures on various topics, but visits to museums and other places of interest are also arranged. In December there is a Christmas party and in May a one-day trip is made to interesting spots outside the city. The club owns an apartment in the centre of Helsinki where the meetings are held. Mrs Carin Kahlson, a Helsinki Lyceum Club member, was president of the IALC 1989-1995. The club hosted the international congress of the IALC twice, in 1968 and 1995. In 2010, the Helsinki Lyceum Club published a book on its history.

Turku
Turku Lyceum Club – Åbo Lyceumclubb r.y., or ILC Turku was founded in 1971. The club is officially bilingual, because it has both Finnish and Swedish-speaking members. The club has a total of 105 members. Our program consists of lectures given by experts in various fields. Art, literature and environmental issues all play a major role in our program. In autumn and springtime we usually have an excursion to places of cultural or historic interest. We also participate in IALC events. In 2006, Turku organized special "culture days" for IALC members. Our club member Maj-Britt Varpe was the vice president of IALC's northern region in 2007-2010. A major part of our functions is the co-operation with our new friendship club ILC Cologne. In November 2010, we made a trip to Cologne. Our website is www.turunlyceumklubi.org.

Oulu
Oulu Lyceum Club was founded in 1988. With its 40 members the Club is small, but very active with almost half its members present at each monthly meeting. Members also eagerly suggest new themes for seminars or visits; founding members (still 16) and new members organize interesting presentations. It is a tradition of Oulu Lyceum Club to make cultural trips to neighboring areas. Using their members' contacts, it has also created networks with Finnish women's and cultural organizations.

Our website is www.ouka.fi/yhdistykset/lyceum/

History of the Lyceum Clubs in Germany

Christa Glahn, President of the Federation of International Lyceum Clubs in Germany

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the International Lyceum Club Hamburg, as well as the founding of the International Lyceum Club Berlin in 1905, I would like to present the following brief history of the origins of the Lyceum Clubs in Germany.

During the late 19th and early 20th century, the peace movement in Europe experienced a renaissance. It turned to increasingly progressive ideas such as socialism and feminism and organized international peace conventions in response to the growing hostilities in Europe. Women’s willingness to improve their self-understanding and increase their intellectual freedom began to take concrete form.

The history of the German Lyceum Clubs begins at the dawn of the 20th century in London, where Constance Smedley founded the International Lyceum Club in June 1904. Already the next year, in November of 1905, Smedley traveled to Germany to attend the founding convention of the Lyceum Club Berlin.

Despite the fact that many major European cities had clubs with exclusively female membership, there was the need for a special kind of club—one that, according to Smedley, would seek to “build centers of intellectual and artistic life in order to promote exchange between cultivated women of all nations.”

The event that led to the creation of the first Lyceum Club in Germany was a big international women’s convention held in 1904 in Berlin. With the support of the German empress, all relevant national and international women’s clubs were to be united and encouraged to participate in an active interchange.

On the occasion of the preparations for the founding of the Berlin Lyceum Club, the daily Berliner Tageblatt wrote: “If its founders succeed in keeping their organization out of all ideological currents and class struggles, this movement could turn into an international intellectual power.”

The “Women’s Club Hamburg” was founded in December 1906; today it proudly calls itself the International Lyceum Club Hamburg. The constitution stated that the club served the purpose of promoting the intellectual, social, and material interests of its members. Without directly looking to the London Lyceum Club, the Hamburg Club remained close to Constance Smedley’s ideals. It is worth noting that, according to article 7, “members’ guests (including men) may use the powder rooms free of charge.” In this point it seems that the Women’s Club Hamburg was a step ahead of its London counterpart.

In 1986, the Hamburg club experienced an important moment, hosting the International Congress of the Lyceum Clubs under the title “New Perspectives for Women at the End of the 20th Century.” Under the patronage of Marianne von Weizäcker, wife of the then-reigning German president, members of thirteen countries participated in various events. They were intrigued by the convention’s success and its sophisticated cultural program.

As in Hamburg, women’s clubs without initial affiliation to the Lyceum Clubs were soon founded in other German cities. The Cologne Women’s Club was created as early as 1902, and in 1904 the German Women’s Club was established in Stuttgart, organizing musical evenings, lectures, and bazaars for its members.

Between 1911 and 1949 women’s clubs originated in Aachen, Munich, Karlsruhe, and Konstanz. Like the other clubs, these were dedicated to the support of women in education, the arts, and the sciences. The most recent member of the Federation of German Lyceum Clubs is the “Rhein-Main” Club, founded in 1996.

After the end of the Nazi regime and during the deprivation of the immediate postwar years, a few dedicated women were able to rebuild the clubs in the face of the greatest difficulties. We would like to thank these active members in particular for undertaking to restore international trust in the German women’s clubs.

In 1956, at the World Congress in Bern, the Association of German Lyceum Clubs was officially re-admitted into the International Association of Lyceum Clubs. The president of the Hamburg Club, Gertrud Behrens, was voted to be the German Association’s first president.

Even though the shadows of two world wars lie over the origins of the German Lyceum Clubs, today they are once again a respected part of the international community of Lyceum Clubs.

Returning to the Berliner Tageblatt 1904 observation, I would like to remark that even though the International Association of Lyceum Clubs may not have become an international power, it has developed into an esteemed international intellectual movement.

To be part of it fills us with gratitude and pride.

HISTORY OF THE LYCEUM CLUB LISBON

The Lyceum Clube Internacional de Lisboa is only nine years old as its formal registration was made on 12/02/2002, having only then been accepted as a member of the International Association of Lyceum Clubs.

Previously there had been, in Lisbon, another Club named Clube Franco-Portugais founded by a group of Portuguese and French ladies. That Club had a very short life owing to its lack of identity as, in order to become a member of the International Association of Lyceum Clubs it had to be a representative of a city and not a representative of two countries.

As the result of the great determination demonstrated by a group of Portuguese ladies who had belonged to the previous Club under the direction of Mrs. Sabine Larger, member of the Troyes Club, at that time living in Lisbon, the idea of founding a Club in Lisbon was now achieved.

The new Club adopted Statutes similar to those of the Club of Troyes, though making some necessary adaptations. It started its activity in February 2002, with 20 members only.

The Club has had its own dynamics and has added more and more cultural activities to its agenda including guided visits to museums, conferences, debates on widely different subjects, theatre going, trips, exhibition attendances, and social occasions such as lunches, tea parties and dinners.

Since 2002, on the international level, the Lyceum Clube Internacional de Lisboa has been represented at the BCI Meetings in Limoges, Stockholm, Basle and Turku as well as at the Cultural Days in Paris. Some members of the Club have also responded to an invitation to the Troyes Club.

In Lisbon, our Club has hosted the Club from Limoges and a group of Lycéennes of the Club of Chaux–de-Fonds (Switzerland).

In May 2009 our Club, that now has 58 members, organized the BCI Meeting and the Cultural Days in Lisbon.

History of the Lyceum Clubs in the Netherlands

Hanneke Hoek, Vice-president of the Federation of International Lyceum Clubs in the Netherlands

At the end of the 19th century all over America and Europe women attempted to liberate themselves from the shackles of Victorian conventions. The Socialistic and Reform Movement arose, while Feminism fought fervently for equal rights for men and women. By 1902, women were moving tentatively in the male professional world. They were in need of a platform and distinguished accommodation to present and exchange their ideas at for instance the cities of Leeuwarden, Dordrecht, Deventer, Utrecht, Arnhem and The Hague.

In 1904 in The Hague Mrs. Mientje Mesdag, wife of a famous Dutch painter, established "Our Club" at her residence which could be visited by men and women. Soon after the club moved to the Royal Theatre.

In the meantime Ms. Mia Boissevain and Ms. Rosa Manus, inspired by Constance Smedley, organised in the Hague an exhibition "Women 1813-1913". This led to initiatives to establish women clubs. World War I, however, broke down these first attempts. But this war definitely changed the position of women.

In 1919 the Dutch women obtained the right to vote. The universal suffrage was determined in the Constitution in 1922.

After long deliberations the LC Amsterdam was founded in 1923. Nijmegen followed in 1925 and Groningen in 1929.

In their first year, 1924, the Club decided to join the International Association of Lyceum Clubs (IALC) in imitation of the club in The Hague. This entry gave access to the facilities of Lyceum clubs all over the world. Nijmegen didn't wait long to follow.

On September 18, 1930, the Dutch Federation was founded with the object to stimulate co-operation between those clubs which in their Principles agreed with those of the IALC(Head Office in London, England). Groningen followed suite.

The Lyceum clubs have a cultural and social character. The structure of the clubs was in general the same. Club Committees were supported by sub-committees to organize monthly luncheon meetings often followed by lectures given by distinguished speakers, literary circles in native and foreign languages, and members shared their interests in bridge, checkers, painting, walking, music, art, theatre, film and visits to exhibitions and other recreational activities. Information was communicated by Club Bulletins. A Sympathy Committee supported ill, weaker and elderly members. The clubs published an Annual Report. This structure is maintained up to the present in all Lyceum clubs. Archives nowadays are or will be stored in city archives.

All clubs strived for possessing own club buildings.

In The Hague a new initiative from the female members resulted in January 1921 in the foundation of the "Society: Club House for Women" (Vereeniging: Clubgebouw voor Vrouwen). They bought two club houses at Lange Vijverberg, Nr 6 and 7. In February 1922 this Club was officially opened and counted 400 members.

In 1924 Amsterdam obtained two beautiful houses at Keizersgracht Nr 580 and 582. It offered its members a restaurant and hotel accommodation with twelve rooms. December 1924 the club counted 511 members.

The LC Nijmegen succeeded in incorporating the city's former "Leesmuseum" (Reading museum) and in 1925 had its own building at Sloetstraat.

In 1929 the LC Groningen rented a stately building in the centre of the city. The first years it offered dinner and lodging. After 1929 the world plummeted into war and destruction which had a disastrous effect on all four Lyceum Clubs.

The LC Nijmegen could hardly survive after the war. In 1975 they had to look for more sober accommodation on a rental basis. But the worst happened to the LC Groningen: during the liberation of the city of Groningen in April 1945 their rented house was totally destroyed. Life had changed significantly during and after the war.

In The Hague the Club developed in a different direction and left the IALC in the early sixties.

By 1949, after a huge declination in membership before the war, the membership of the LC Amsterdam had risen to 500 again. However in 1971 the Club Committee had to decide to sell the houses. The members moved in on a rental basis with the male sanctuary "De Industrieele Club" at Dam Square.

In 1929 the Lyceum Club of The Hague hosted the Congress of the International Association. LC Amsterdam was the host-city in 1977.

LC Amsterdam twinned with LC Auckland. In 2009 LC Bretagne Nord (France) took the initiative to put new life in its twinning with LC Amsterdam which resulted in a renewal of a warm friendship.

Since 1988 LC Groningen is twinning with LC Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle, Germany) with which they meet every two years for a few days in friendship.

All three Lyceum Clubs of Amsterdam, Nijmegen and Groningen are thriving and their members meet each year in autumn during "Contact Day" organised by one of the Clubs.

HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL LYCEUM CLUB OF PHILADELPHIA

In July 2000, Joanne Silver and her husband Ron were in Paris for an international conference where they dined with a friend, Françoise Lecoutour, president of the Caen Lyceum Club, Normandy. She had written and spoken of Lyceum several times and on this occasion, it was for Joanne le bon moment to undertake such a venture as Françoise said, “Oh, we would love to have a Lyceum Club in the United States!”

Joanne and Françoise continued to correspond and with the support of Caroline Travers, then International President, Joanne began work on the Statutes. In November 2001 a letter was sent to Ms. Travers in Australia, officially stating the intention to form a Lyceum Club in the Philadelphia area. A list of interested and interesting women with varied backgrounds was drawn up. Early in 2002 preparations were in place to form the club.

In June 2002, the Silvers again visited France and were warmly received by Françoise and members of the Lyceum Clubs. Two receptions were held - one in Françoise’s home “La Crichonnière” in Le Fresne-Camilly, Normandy, and the second at the Paris apartment of Solange Thierry de Saint-Rapt, the Paris Lyceum President. Both these events were well attended, with warm greetings and sincere hospitality. In Paris, Joanne gave a short speech of thanks for this marvelous welcome and for their enthusiasm and support of the founding of the first United States Lyceum Club.

In August 2002, Joanne Silver, Monica Connolly, Marilyn Conwell, Cynthia Lyman and Gail Infield—core members—reviewed the draft of the Statutes, which had been modeled after the international statutes in force at that time. With twenty members, the first Annual General Meeting took place in December 2002 at Joanne’s home in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Officers were elected and Circles of Interest were established. The Statutes were ready and were sent to the BCl in Stockholm in May 2003 for approval and then to the International Council in Basel in May 2004.

Since its beginning the Philadelphia club has pursued the goals of lifelong learning through cultural visits to area museums, some visits led by docents who are members of this club. In the area of extending our knowledge and appreciation of other cultures, a professor and Chinese national spoke to us about China Past and Present. We hosted a program by two Iranian women who spoke about the plight and current status of women in that country. In addition to this woman’s issue, a local author spoke to members, their daughters and granddaughters about her motivation for writing children’s books for girls, empowering them to pursue whatever career they wish. Another distinguished speaker was a survivor of the Nazi occupation of Belgium, speaking to our group about first-hand experiences of her time working for the Belgian Resistance. Service projects have included gathering books for a library which had been destroyed by flood, providing clothing for women about to reenter the professional work force, supplying school supplies to children of migrant families and providing funds to inner-city schools for art supplies. We have also supported organizations such as Doctors without Borders and Heifer International to provide health care and better hygiene to underprivileged people.

In October 2008 our club hosted Cultural Days in Philadelphia where we welcomed over 80 members from Australia and Europe who attended the four-day program. The highlight of the Cultural Days was the twinning ceremony between the Philadelphia and the Paris clubs. Since that time members of the Philadelphia Club have visited the Paris club and have strengthened the bonds of friendship among their members.

The Philadelphia Lyceum Club is proud to be part of the International Lyceum family, and continually strives to live by its philosophy and its goals!

HISTORY OF THE LYCEUM CLUB STOCKHOLM

The International Lyceum Club of Stockholm celebrates its centenary this year. The inaugural meeting was held on 8th April 1911 on the initiative of our Crown Princess Margareta who found on her arrival in Sweden that there were no ladies' clubs comparable to those in England, such as the London club founded by Constance Smedley in 1903, where ladies could hear interesting talks in congenial surroundings. The Princess was present at the first meeting on 6 December 1911, attended by 80 members averaging 30 years of age. Originally named "The Stockholm Ladies' Club", it was renamed the Lyceum Club in 1912, and joined the International Association of Lyceum Clubs thanks to the Princess's contacts abroad. She urged the Club to acquire its own clubhouse, but this was not possible, and over the years different apartments mid-town were rented until 1990 when the Club began to hire a school hall for meetings. For these apartments the Club acquired furniture and also a very special painting executed by the Princess who was a talented artist. It was donated to the National Museum of Art in Stockholm in 1981. Sadly the Princess died in 1920, only 38 years of age.

1929 was a dramatic year for the Club as interest waned in the difficult economic climate and its survival was in doubt. At an extraordinary meeting, after fierce discussion a new board was elected to keep the Club alive. Membership increased to 130 and happy years ensued.

The Club now holds meetings twice a month and arranges language classes in English and French, theatre evenings and bridge games. Over the last 100 years many famous people have performed for us: Swedish Nobel laureates, artists, authors, politicians and musicians. In 1943 a well known professor made a speech about operatic singer Jenny Lind, world famous in the 1800s. He deplored the fact that her memory had not been kept alive. Spontaneously the Club decided to found the Jenny Lind Association which is still active and every year gives a scholarship to a promising Swedish female singer.

In 1961 the Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a trip to Finland, followed by others to the Netherlands, Austria, Egypt, Turkey, Italy, Portugal, Ceylon, Poland, Sicily and Russia. It hosted the International Congress in 1959 and BCI meetings in 1984 and 2003. Mrs. Gisela Sterzel was Swedish President for 26 years and International President from 1969 to 1975.

The Club has been restrictive in nominating honorary members: the founder, Crown Princess Margareta, was first, followed by several of her relatives: Queen Ingrid of Denmark, Princess Sibylla, Princess Ingeborg and our present Queen Silvia. The famous female author and Nobel laureate Selma Lagerlöf also became an honorary member. Since inauguration we have had 14 presidents: Mary Bodström the first president for 11 years, Inez Appelberg in 1931 for18 years then Gisela Sterzel for 26 years. Many of you will remember Margit von Bahr who was President from 2001 to 2007 and did much to strengthen our international contacts.

And now we are going to celebrate our 100th anniversary! On 8 April we shall have a jubilee gathering when a famous author will give a talk on "Hats and Rings – Female Attire" and the ladies will be dressed appropriately. Then from June 7 to 10 the BCI meeting will be held in Stockholm and will conclude with a Jubilee Luncheon in the House of Nobility. A special programme is also planned for 6 December 2011

2004 International Congress - Keynote address by Dr Grace Brockington