The FAREWELL LUNCHEON to the IWA in AKITA 1st July,2016

The FAREWELL LUNCHEON to the INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION in AKITA took place on Friday 1^st July, 2016 at YAMANOE RESTAURANT, Sanno Akita

 

 

Attending: Ms Ichikawa, Ms Shoji, Ms Morizono, Ms Murooka, Ms Narita, Ms Itoh and Ms Tsuchika.

Apologies from:  Ms Itoh, Ms Kawabe, Ms Siripon

Votes of thanks were given to:

Ms Morizono for arranging the venue and co-ordinating.

Ms Shoji for her endless support throughout the IWA, arranging events and posting on the IWA blog.

Also, to Yamanoe Restaurant for presenting us with such a delicious luncheon menu!

 

A few words from Ms Ichikawa…

The month of June ’16 has been unbelievable… racism and hate on the increase throughout the world, ORLANDO/LONDON/ATATURK AIRPORT.

Also, the huge shock of ENGLAND leaving the EUROPEAN UNION on 23 June 2016.

We are all affected by these Worldwide events.

However, the IWA is aimed at nurturing international understanding and here in Akita, in a very small way, for over 7 years, we have achieved just that!

Through our meetings the IWA has represented JAPAN/ENGLAND/AUSTRALIA/GERMANY/SOUTH KOREA/THAILAND/ITALY/HONG KONG

We have donated monies to FUKUSHIMA and KUMAMOTO through The Red Cross in Akita.

We have enjoyed many happy days together sharing and exchanging friendships and along the way learned a lot from professional lectures.

Today’s luncheon is a closing celebration of our achievements of friendship!

Now, I will ask Ms Shoji to say a few words and after, if anyone would like to say something please do so…

Ms. Shoji gave a talk and also Ms Morizono.

Seating arrangements for the luncheon were decided by a seating lottery featuring ‘Firsts for Women in History”.

Margaret Thatcher – First Woman Prime Minister for England – 1979.

Amelia Earhart – First Woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean – 1928.

Madeleine Albright – First Woman Secretary of State, USA – 1997.

Junko Tabei – First Woman to climb Mount Fuji – 1975.

Janet Yellen – First Woman to chair the Federal Reserve Board USA – 2014.

Marie Currie – First Woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics – 1903.

THE FIRST BLUE JEANS FOR WOMEN – 1934!!

 

FAREWELL LETTER 14th June 2016

The INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’s ASSOCIATION in AKITA

FAREWELL LETTER

 

Again, how the days, months and years pass so quickly, already May 2016 has passed.

The cherry blossom has been and gone once more heralding much warmer, temperate days ahead, here in Akita.  The climate here is so pleasing, especially through summer, where in Tokyo, it is so hot and humid.

 

The IWA has been very dormant for a year.  There hasn’t been much interest in it over the months and one of the main factors for this situation is that everyone leads very active and busy lives and it has been very difficult to arrange dates and venues, which suit everyone.

 

At this point, I feel it is my responsibility to now announce that by early July 2017, I shall have returned to England to take up residence.  My husband will continue in his present post here in Akita.

 

During my 8/9 years stay in Akita, I must say that it has been the happiest time of my connection with Japan, over the years.

 

IWA members have all enjoyed happy days together (please check iwaakita.blogspot.com for past events) and learnt many things about a wide spectrum of subjects from a varied bank of speakers and outings.

 

The IWA has been run ‘on a shoe string’ and has endeavoured to not escalate unnecessary costs for members and guests.  IWA was started in 2008/9.

 

IWA was very proud to have contributed a donation to the Great Earthquake/tsumani of 2011, which now brings me to the topic of the IWA Bank Account…

 

The IWA Bank account is with Akita Bank and I have made a decision to close the account, along with another member.  Several IWA members and Mrs M have agreed to this decision.  The balance in the account stands at Yen3,366 only.  The decision was also made to donate this money to The Red Cross in Akita.  This was carried out on Tuesday 14^th June, 2016.

Copies of these documents will be posted on this blog.  

 

I do hope that this suites everyone’s agreement.

I would like to say ‘thank you’ to all IWA members and guests and international friends for all co-operation and valued friendship shared over the years.

The IWA blog will remain active for reference and also for, from time to time, reports from my home town, Louth, Lincolnshire, England in order to share information of IWA in Louth.

I hope this blog will nurture an international spirit and exchange of information.

To all members and friends of the IWA Akita, I wish you good health and happiness and once again, THANK YOU and GOOD BYE!       Jennifer Ichikawa