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International Women's Society

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The International Women's Society (IWS) in Lagos, Nigeria is a Nigerian women's organization. The IWS was founded in 1957.[1]

HISTORY

In 1957, the Nigerian House of Representatives passed a motion requesting independence from Great Britain and calling on Britain to officially set the date for that independence on October 1, 1960.

Elsewhere in Nigeria, in Lagos, some public-spirited individuals with a new awareness of what was to come decided to set up an association that would bring women of all races together for charity work.

It was the dream child of Her Excellency Amb. Aduke Jaiyeola Alakija, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary, in collaboration with the powerhouse called Lady Oyinkansola Abayomi, herself an activist and a keen promoter of women's rights and education, along with Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, SAN, a legal luminary, the first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria, and a co-founder of the Nigerian Law School. These three and Dr. Charles Modupe Norman-Williams, the Chief Medical Officer of the Federation, became the first set of Trustees of the nascent organization on 5th July 1960.

Before then, Mrs. Remi Doherty assumed office as IWS's first president in 1957.

IWS' DEVELOPMENT IWS' developmental stages have been in tandem with Nigeria, which was granted independence in 1960. And so, with almost seven decades to her belt, IWS Nigeria has grown in leaps and bounds with the following milestones in charity work.

CHARITIES 1. IWS DAY NURSERY established in 1961 to support market women in taking care of their babies while they traded.

2. Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Library established as an ambulatory reading service to patients. Also assists in paying off some medical bills for indigent patients. Established in 1978.

3.IWS SKILLS ACQUISITION CENTER established in 1997 to provide youth with a sense of purpose by teaching them valuable skills and helping them find placements when they graduate. To date the Center has trained 3,500 students.

4. IWS WIDOWS TRUST FUND. Pioneered a formal platform for the recognition of Widows complex challenges and the strategies for empowerment and emancipation since 1998.Over 2,500 widows have since benefitted in various skills and businesses to help educate their children.

5. SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME:A robust scheme started in 2004 which provides education support for deserving girl children from primary through tertiary years. Over 1,600 pupils and students have benefited so far.

6.IWS SOCIAL SERVICES: A home for abandoned babies and children was established in 2010. Located in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, it is a safe haven for these kids to thrive in and sent to good schools until they are adopted.

Secondly our Social Services also cater to the infirm in our society,whilst also looking inwards to celebrate milestones in our members lives and offer a compassionate shoulder to lean on.

IWS AIMS AND OBJECTIVES · To foster and promote international understanding among all people. · To work for the advancement of women and children in Nigeria. · To help provide cultural exchanges for women of all races in the area of homemaking, children, social welfare, health, home finance, and education. · To discuss problems affecting the various communities in Nigeria. · To endeavor to establish relations with similar organizations in Nigeria and other countries. · To aid worthwhile welfare and charitable projects. · To encourage and develop the common interests in women.

The Society is managed by an annually elected executive committee headed by the President and Trustees appointed based on their contributions.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1. Chief Mrs Olufunke Arthur-Worrey 

  Chairman

MEMBERS Mrs Amina Hamzat-Ahmadu. Chief Mrs Marlies Allan. Mrs Sicily Jacob. Dr Mrs Ekua Akinsanya. Mrs Gbemi Shasore. Mrs Cecilia Aqua-Umoren. Chief Dr Mrs Katia Ekesi. Mrs Olaide Margaret Sasegbon.

HONORARY MEMBERS Women of timbre and calibre are appointed based on their significant contributions to our Association.

Currently we have 15 members of this group. They help in numerous ways with wholesome contributions to uplift the needy in the society. They reflect the international nature of our establishment.


The International Women's Society carries our charitable activity in Nigeria.[2] It provides for the less privileged, financially supports widows, and helps women gain skills enabling their productive independence.[3]

Presidents

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The IWS has elected a new president each year.[4]

  • 1957/58: Mrs. Remi Doherty
  • 1959: Mrs. Majorie Maclaren
  • 1960: Amb. Aduke Alakija
  • 1961: Lady Kofo Ademola
  • 1962: Mrs. Kennedy
  • 1963: Dr. (Mrs.) M. Abimbola Silva
  • 1964: Dr. (Mrs.) A. Aziz
  • 1965: Chief (Mrs.) Titi Shodeinde
  • 1966: Miss Vera Creaton
  • 1967: Chief (Mrs.) Uyi Taylor
  • 1968: Mrs. Wooten-Wooley
  • 1969: Prof (Mrs.) Juliet MaCauley
  • 1970: Mrs. M. Darvani:
  • 1971: Chief (Mrs.) Hilda Ogunbanjo
  • 1972: Mrs. C. Raeburn
  • 1973: Dr. (Mrs.) Grace Guobadia.[5]
  • 1974: Mrs. Mackay
  • 1975: Mrs. Dotun Paul
  • 1976: Mrs. Norah Bell
  • 1977: Lady Ayo Alakija
  • 1978: Mrs. P. Nork
  • 1979: Chief (Mrs.) Yewande. Oyediran
  • 1980: Mrs. Kavita Laju Chanrai
  • 1981: Mrs. Adetoun Bailey
  • 1982: Mrs. Jean Abili
  • 1983: Chief (Mrs.) Toyin Olakunrin
  • 1984: Mrs. Freny Ghista
  • 1985: Mrs. Perla Amu
  • 1986: Mrs. Gbemi Rosiji
  • 1987: Mrs. Doris Fafunwa
  • 1988: Mrs. Grace Etim
  • 1989: Mrs. Phebean Ogundipe
  • 1990: Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Katia Ekesi
  • 1991: Mrs. Demi Ibare-Akinsan
  • 1992: Mrs. Olaide Margaret Sasegbon
  • 1993: Mrs. Olugbo Hollist
  • 1994: Chief (Mrs.) Sarita Agrawal
  • 1995: Mrs. Adeyola David
  • 1996: Dame Marie Fatayi-Williams
  • 1997: Chief (Mrs.) Funke Arthur-Worrey
  • 1998: Mrs. Ijeoma Chuks-Asala
  • 1999: Mrs. Sonja Ally
  • 2000: Chief (Mrs.) Morin Agboola
  • 2001: Mrs. Amita Jain
  • 2002: Mrs. Aminat Hamzat-Ahmadu
  • 2003: Mrs. Stella Obiageli Ugboma
  • 2004: Mrs. Rebecca O. Akinsete
  • 2005: Mrs. Grace Oluremi Omotosho
  • 2006: Chief Mrs Marlies Allan
  • 2007: Mrs. Gbemi Shasore
  • 2008: Ms. Augusta Chibututu
  • 2009: Mrs. Sicily Jacob
  • 2010: Dr. Mrs. Ekuah Akinsanya.[6]
  • 2011: Mrs. Cecilia Aqua-Umoren
  • 2012: Mrs. Evelyn Akeredolu
  • 2013: Mrs. Grace Kalango
  • 2014: Mrs. Folasade Oyeniyi
  • 2015: Hajiya Zainab Saleh
  • 2016: Mrs. Izarene Aret-Adams
  • 2017: Mrs. Ego Boyo.[7]
  • 2018: Mrs. Abimbola Bawaallah.[1]
  • 2019: Mrs. Nkoli Obi-Ogbolu.[8]
  • 2020: Mrs Ibiwunmi Akinnola.[3]
  • 2021: Ms Tita Young
  • 2022: Mrs. Ifeoma Monye
  • 2023: Mrs. Izabella Abia-Okon
  • 2024: Dame Olabisi Alokolaro
  • 2025: Mrs Olufunke Oladitan-Oduwole

References

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  1. ^ a b Tobi Awodipe, Ademola-Bawaallah emerges new IWS president, The Guardian, 1 March 2018. Accessed 17 January 2021.
  2. ^ Emeka Anokwuru, Pomp as women group marks decades of charity, The Sun, 6 December 2018. Accessed 187 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b Vanessa Obioha, IWS Reiterates Commitment to Empowering Women Nationwide, This Day, 4 December 2020. Accessed 17 January 2021.
  4. ^ International Women Society: Past Presidents. Accessed 17 January 2021.
  5. ^ Raph Uwechue (1991). "Guobadia, Grace". Africa Who's who. Africa Journal Limited. p. 735. ISBN 978-0-903274-17-3.
  6. ^ International Women’s Society presents “Celebrating Fashion Today” – A Coffee Table Book Inspired by Nigerian Fashion for Charity, Bella Naija, 24 November 2010. Accessed 17 January 2021.
  7. ^ Veteran actress announced as 60th President of International Women’s Society, pulse.ng, 14 March 2017. Accessed 17 January 2021.
  8. ^ IWS laments high rate of Nigerian twins dropping out of school, PM News, 20 May 2019. Accessed 17 January 2021.
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