Those who enjoy the activities of OIWC owe it all to Mrs. Hide Higa, the wife of the Chief Executive of the Ryukyu Islands. In 1953, Mrs. Higa approached some of her American friends with the idea of forming a club where American and Japanese women could gather to share ideas. The first official meeting of OIWC was held in January 1954. In those early days, OIWC consisted of about 25% Japanese and 75% foreign members, while today membership tends to be more equal. The women who participated then enjoyed many of the same activities of today’s club exchanging ideas about cultural customs, daily life, homemaking, hobbies, holiday traditions, and much more. The aim of OIWC remains steadfast: it plays a vital role in the Okinawan community by facilitating a continued desire to learn and understand various cultures, and by serving those in need across the Pacific.
Women of any nationality living on Okinawa are welcome to join OIWC and become a part of a lasting legacy of friendship and giving.
OIWC History 経緯
What we are all about...
The Okinawa International Women’s Club is a non-profit organization made up of women from all over the world! We gather at monthly events to promote friendship and cultural exchange while raising funds and awareness for different charities throughout Okinawa.
Over the past 68 years, OIWC has donated funds, clothing, food, and many other items to those in need.
沖縄国際夫人クラブ（以下OIWC)は世界中から集まった女性による非営利団体です。毎月定例会や文化交流会を通じて友情をはぐくみ県内の施設や団体への寄付やボランティア活動をしています。過去68年にわたり、OIWCは寄付、衣服、食料等必要な施設、団体へ寄贈をしています。
Luncheons 定例会（ランチョン）
Each month we gather to have lunch at various places all over the island so that our members can make new and lifelong friends. The Japanese and Foreign sides take turns hosting the luncheons.
会員は県内各地のホテルや施設にて毎月定例会を設け国際交流をしています。月代わりで日本サイド、外国サイドが定例会を担当しています。
Welfare Luncheon 2025
History 経緯
OIWC was founded in January 1954 by Mrs. Hide Higa in the hopes that Japanese and American women could gather to share ideas and cultures. In those early days, OIWC consisted of about 25% Japanese and 75% foreign members. Today, OIWC tends to be equal in membership.
沖縄国際夫人クラブは国際親善と文化交流を図るため、琉球政府主席夫人の比嘉秀子氏と米国民政府経済局次長夫人のMrs.Oglesby, さらに共通の友人Mrs.Westenberger氏により1953年1月に設立されました。当時は会員の25％が日本人75％が外国人という割合でしたが現在はほぼ同数会員になりました。
Membership 会員
The OIWC year runs September through June. Women may join the club at any time during the year. Membership fees are ¥5,000 per person for the year. The average cost for the monthly luncheons is approximately ¥5,000 for off base and $35 for on base.
OIWC活動は9月から6月です。会員参加はこの期間いつでも可能です。会員登録料は5000円（毎年9月納付）で月定例会はランチ代として約3500円（基地外）または30ドル（基地内）です。*途中会員登録は3000円（3月以降）
Activities 活動
Some of the events and activities that take place are cooking classes, Bazaars, themed luncheons, tours on and off island, and many other fun and exciting events.
料理、バザー、定例会、小旅行など楽しい活動をしています。
Culture Groups カルチャーグループ
OIWC offers smaller extensions of the main membership in order to provide a more personal setting to learn about and share each other’s cultures. These culture groups are made up of 10 to 12 women who meet at times that are convenient for their group members.
OIWCでは会員同士がより深く友情や文化交流をはぐくむため小規模サイズで《カルチャーグループ》を構成しています。グループは日本、海外両サイドから約12人ずつ
Welfare Luncheon 2025
Bazaars バザー
The main fundraisers for OIWC are the annual Christmas Bazaar as well as Spring Bazaar. Each December, members sell arts and crafts as well as baked goods to raise funds.
OIWCの寄付基金は毎年行われるクリスマスバザー、スプリングバザー活動が大きな役割を占めています。バザーでは会員が手作り品や商品、焼き菓子、スイーツを販売し売上金を寄付します。