History
Ladies' Circle has its roots in England where the wives
of Round Table members founded the first Circle in Bournemouth
in 1930.
In 1947, LC Sweden was founded and was followed by LC
Denmark two years later. Contact was made between members
of these first three countries, and in 1959 the international
organisation of Ladies' Circle (LCI) was established.
The founder members of LCI were Molly Worley (President),
LC GB&I, Jen Ulfvik (Vice President), LC Sweden,
Margery Coombe (Secretary), LC GB&I, and Søs
Tarp (Treasurer), LC Denmark.
The constitution was drawn up, based on equality of
all member associations within an international structure.
From this developed the Aims and Objects:
- To
promote international friendship, understanding and
goodwill by encouraging members to extend their knowledge
of each other and other people.
- To
promote, co-ordinate and develop the extension of
Ladies' Circle throughout the world.
- To
be non-political and non-sectarian
Ladies'
Circle expanded into new countries and continents. In
1959 LC Finland was founded, followed by LC Norway in
1961, LC Belgium and LC Hong Kong in 1967, LC France
and LC India in 1970, LC Kenya in 1971 and LC Germany
in 1972. In 2005 Ladies’ Circle exists in four
continents, and there are approx. 14 000 members in
36 countries.
At the 1994 AGM, a significant rule change was passed,
following which Ladies' Circle International became
totally independent from Round Table. Ladies' Circle
is now open to all women between the ages of 18 and
45.
|
