AAWE has a wide variety of ongoing American holiday celebrations, events, social, professional and support groups, both in person and virtual. Meeting times are usually during the day, on a weekly or monthly basis. As well there are evening and weekend groups.
Our in-person activities are held at the AAWE headquarters in Paris, member homes and various locations in and around Paris.
Our virtual meetings are usually held via Zoom.
The range of activities grows and develops over time, depending on the interests of our members.
AAWE Activities
Click on the individual toggles in the pulldown menu below to see a list of all the activities going on at AAWE!
We can’t wait for you to join us!
AAWE News Team
AAWE News – cover of the March / April 2021 issue
AAWE News team – group of AAWE members who manage and provide content/photos for all articles/news in the quarterly printed AAWE News member publication. The publication is mailed to members and is available in a PDF version on the AAWE Member website.
AAWE News is our members clubhouse in their mailbox!
AAWE News is AAWE’s quarterly print magazine for members. AAWE News seeks to gather and reflect the dynamism of AAWE. Each issue involves the contribution of over 50 members, including the AAWE News staff, writers, photographers, and artists.
The Mission of AAWE News is to:
- Help members to know their Association, as well as to know their fellow members
- Explore the heart of bicultural life
- Stimulate involvement in our community
- Keep members up-to-date by covering events and initiatives
- Involve as many members as possible
- Serve as a platform for creative expression
In the words of our Editor, Jane Mobille: “AAWE News is a platform to share our talent…and insights, and projects, and experiences, and ideas. And it is on paper! Yes. With a shelf life, a distinct smell, and glossy pages to touch and turn. AAWE News is a feast for the eyes that doesn’t involve incessant blue back light, but rather the soft light of a dove grey Paris sky. And may I add that you can read it safely in the bathtub, and access it deep in a metro tunnel?!”
Art Lit Magazine
Art Lit Magazine
“Closed Window” – Photo by Lorie Lichtlen
AAWE has incredible talent! This year, as American (often dual-national) women straddling cultures, we have started a project to share our visions with the public: an AAWE Art Lit Magazine.
Our first full issue of the Magazine, which will be dedicated to the theme of Women and Nature, is intended for 2021.
American Holiday Celebrations
American Holiday Celebrations
Easter Egg Hunt – Easter fun with the annual AAWE Easter egg hunt! In addition, a bake sale, Mini photo 📷 shoot, and face-painting with proceeds going to the AAWE Children’s fund!
Stars & Stripes Party – AAWE members gather together to celebrate America’s Independence Day!
July 4th Picnic – members and families get together for a traditional 4th of July picnic!
Halloween Party – Members bring their kids to get their pumpkin decorated! Witchy fingers get busy at the Crafty Monster tables, Test your luck against Ghost & Goblin games. And don’t forget to wear your favorite Halloween outfit for the Costume Parade. One fun afternoon, and a great time to create memories for our littlest Franco-Americans!
Thanksgiving Lunch – members get together at Joe Allen, the oldest American restaurant in Paris to enjoy a traditional American Thanksgiving meal.
Holiday Party = Members and their families gather for food, fun, festivities and even a Silly Sweater party all in celebration of the holiday season!
AAWE Blogs
Environmental Task Force Blog
The Environmental Task Force was created to explore ways of transiting to more sustainable life styles. We search out how to reduce the amount of waste we produce at our events, and in our homes and daily lives. One way we can reduce our carbon footprint is by creating our own cleaning substances out of every day products rather than consuming commercial toxic cleaners. This blog provides detailed tips and recipes for making sustainable cleaning products.
Refugee Task Force Blog
This photo of snow-covered tents on quai Jemmapes and Afghan asylum seekers huddled around a fire on quai Valmy were taken in the 10th arrondissement of Paris by photographer Kim Powell.
The AAWE Community-wide Refugee Task Force was founded in 2016 in a spirit of generosity and a desire to enrich the lives of others while also enriching our own lives.
Today, the Task Force provides a forum for cross-organizational connections and information-sharing, allowing resources to be quickly identified to fill the evolving needs of those arriving from distant and often dangerous places to begin new lives in our community.
Participating Associations:
Association of American Women in Europe, Every Child is a Gem, Compassion Without Borders, Association Pierre Claver, American Library in Paris, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Paris, American Church in Paris, American Cathedral, FAWCO.
We welcome connections from everyone, both individuals and representatives of associations.
Booknik’s Book Clubs
Booknik’s Book Clubs
The AAWE Bookniks have been meeting since 2002. Books for discussion are nominated by members and then chosen by vote twice a year. The person who nominates the book leads the discussion.
On several occasions, we have been privileged to welcome authors of our chosen books and notably, the renowned translators (Russian-English) of Russian classics – Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.
Our monthly meetings are on Tuesdays from 4:30pm to 6:15pm at the Maison des Associations in the 16th arrondissement (pre-Covid) and are now via Zoom. We would be delighted to welcome new AAWE members!
Bridge Groups
Weekly Bridge Groups
- Tuesday morning for beginners or people who haven’t played in a long time and want to review.
- Thursday afternoon for the more advanced group.
In both groups we have a review or lesson first and then play hands. There are approximately 3 tables in each group but as our members travel a lot, we are rarely all there at the same time. We have a Pot Luck Lunch in the Fall and Spring since there is never enough time to finish our conversations during the lessons! We are a very friendly crew and all are allowed to make as many mistakes as they like!
Cultural Events
Cultural Outings
Recent destinations have included the Prelle silk showrooms, Cire Trudon, guided visits of the Banque de France, Boisson milliners, the flower makers at Maison Legeron, Le Grand Musée du Parfum, and a walking tour focusing on American writers on the Left Bank in the 1920s and ‘30s. AAWE members also visited the Theatre des Champs Elysees, were part of a vegetarian cooking class, a guided visit of the Serres d’Auteuil (along with lunch in a nearby restaurant) and a visit to the Lacloche Exhibit at the Ecole des Arts Joailliers.
COVID Cleanup Group
COVID Cleanup Group
AAWE’ hosts a members only Covid Cleanup Group on Facebook. Members can dip in and out during the week, post away regarding “to buy, sell, give away“ or create “looking for“ posts.
Film
Afternoon Film Group
A group of film loving AAWE members go regularly to watch a movie together, then have a discussion session post-film.
They meet the second Tuesday of the month, during re-confinement at 2 pm.
Write-ups about the films are published in our quarterly printed AAWE News publication that is mailed to all AAWE members.
Garden Group / Plant Exchange
Members meet in a member’s backyard to exchange plants. They also meet up virtually via Zoom to talk about gardening, share pictures or videos of their gardens or balconies, and just have fun. Photos are shared such as members favorite flower or bush or gardening tool. Members share all types of info about favorite plants, their current plant successes and/or disasters, new patios, biggest plant in their apartments or balcony and more!
Garden Party
AAWE Garden Party painting by member Catherine Jullian.
Garden Parties – members meet in each others gardens and share conversation over lunch.
Handicrafts
Handicrafters
This group does it all – Knitting, découpage, sewing, holiday decorations, jewelry, table linens and even mask making! We meet once a week in the western suburbs all year long. Our different talents and ideas are channeled into producing all the items sold — very successfully! — at the Holiday Bazaar and at the AAWE Winter Festival.
Check out our Handicrafter’s Online Store!
Les Historiennes
Les Historiennes is a thematic multi-disciplinary series of activities for the fall and the spring of 2020–21 around a period of French history each quarter.
Topics include, Louis XIV, La Belle Epoque, Les Trentes Glorieuses, l’Entre-deux-guerres and the Troisième République.
Each series is peer-guided; architecture/history walks, books to read and discuss in a home or café, and/or a film or play to see on one’s own or together. Some are during the day and some in the evening, with participants simply choosing which they’d like to attend.
When cultural events are announced in Paris–a new museum exhibition, a concert, or, a play from a certain era–the group can make plans to attend, depending on the safety of such an activity. Should in-person visits be inadvisable, the group can host in virtual format.
Learn more about our current Spring 2021 series and register for them at Les Historiennes.
Professional Networking
Professional Networking and Directory
Enjoy a network of international contacts in France!
Our Professional Networking group meets for a regular Happy Hour to chat about life, work, and everything else. It’s a great way to maintain contacts within the American community, and beyond.
AAWE maintains a Members Professional Directory accessible via the Member website.
Refugee Task Force
The AAWE Community-wide Refugee Task Force was founded in 2016 in a spirit of generosity and a desire to enrich the lives of others while also enriching our own lives.
Today, the Task Force provides a forum for cross-organizational connections and information-sharing, allowing resources to be quickly identified to fill the evolving needs of those arriving from distant and often dangerous places to begin new lives in our community.
Participating Associations:
Association of American Women in Europe, Every Child is a Gem, Compassion Without Borders, Association Pierre Claver, American Library in Paris, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Paris, American Church in Paris, American Cathedral, and FAWCO.
We welcome connections from everyone, both individuals and representatives of associations.
Senior Activities
Senior Activities
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Supporting senior members through organized lunches, telephone trees and being available to each other.
Our Seniors are an active bunch!
Seniors keep in touch through an email ENews and meet for excursions, lunch, and discussions. We like to stay healthy with a ‘Keep Moving’ gentle workout session, and, of course, offer mutual support in the event of illness. Many of us also bring bilingual grandchildren along to celebrate Halloween with the AAWE kids!
Social Groups
Social Groups – AAWE has many to choose from, both in person and online!
Apero’s /Happy Hour
Any member can organize an open Happy Hour, event at the last minute, to let your hair down and create connection between all members
BBX Sisterhood
(BB = Baby Boomers and X = Gen X)
A sub-group within AAWE for members between 45-65 years old from the Baby Boom and Gen X. We meet up via Zoom to converse on issues, chat about our lives and give support and advice and create friendship. The group meets approx every two weeks on alternate Wednesday and Friday evenings. We have exchanged on very light topics and on very serious topics and we have a WhatsApp chat group within which we supply info and create connection and exchange.
California member meetup
AAWE members from the Sunshine State meet and chat via Zoom. Non-Californians are welcome too! Are you Nor Cal or So Cal? What do you miss most from California in France? Sprawling Sandy beaches? Sourdough? Orange trees?
Northeast Corridor – Cuomo Catch-Up
Virtual meet-up for those who enjoyed Governor Cuomo’s sound advice during the COVID-19 crisis.
Coffee Meetups
AAWE members of all ages meet in person or on-line and create connections on Saturday mornings.
Younger Wonders Meetups
This sub-group of AAWE is for members between 25 and 50. We meet up in person and virtually to create friendship and network.
Sport and Exercise
Sport and Exercise
Baseball in the Park
Summer activity for families with children to enjoy a favorite American sporting pastime.
Keep Moving Yoga Group
A member offers this class at a preferential price for AAWE members who wish to remain limber at any age. Offered in person in a Paris park and on Zoom. Wonderful morning class as it stretches you out and prepares you physically and mentally for the day ahead.
La Rochambelle
5km women’s walk/run in aid of the fight against cancer organized near Caen. Members carpool to Normandy to participate during a weekend in June.
La Parisienne - Run | Walk | Yoga
Event benefiting breast cancer research in the center of Paris. AAWE runs as a team.
Golf Lessons at the Golf de St Nom la Breteche.
Dance and Pilates classes offered as well!
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
AAWE is raising awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals in order to help governments around the world achieve these ambitious goals by 2030! To see what our members are doing in support of the goals visit our Global Goals webpage.
In 2015, world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals (officially known as the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs). These goals have the power to create a better world by 2030, by ending poverty, fighting inequality and addressing the urgency of climate change. Guided by the goals, it is now up to all of us, governments, businesses, civil society and the general public to work together to build a better future for everyone. More information at www.globalgoals.org
Support Groups
Depending on the needs of our members at various times, AAWE has a variety of support groups available on certain issues. Currently, we have a Divorce Support group ongoing.
Winter Festival and Holiday Sale Committee
Winter Festival Committee – group of AAWE members that manage the annual Winter Festival and Holiday Sale along with over 150 member volunteers.
The Winter Festival is the largest community event organized by AAWE. Formerly known as the Bazaar, the Winter Festival typically includes a large sale, charity raffle, donations of clothing to the needy and a holiday venue to celebrate our dynamic Franco-American community.
Join today and jump into our fun activities in March and April at AAWE!
Click on the toggles below to see a sampling of the many events we have planned!:
Remaining Events in March 2021
14th – Younger Wonders (50 years and under) meet up – Younger Wonders is a support system for women transitioning into the professional workforce, starting families, and for personal and professional networking. Some members came to France as students and stayed, while others are just starting to establish a foundation.
16th – Welcoming Diversity work group – Objectives for this group include opening minds, increasing acceptance and becoming more aware of our actions in all matters or facets of diversity.
18th – Evening with US Consul General – event with Robert F. Hannan, Consul General at the U.S. Embassy, Jay Epping, American Citizen Services Chief, and Eugene Garmize, Passport Chief. Opening remarks by Brian Aggeler, Chargé d’Affaires, US Embassy. The consular officers will discuss various nationality issues, including transmission of US citizenship to children born abroad, US visas for family members, and current restrictions on travel to and from the US.
19th – Open to the public – part of the 2nd Les Historiennes Series – Portable Privacy: Nineteenth-Century Women and the Spaces of Reading
21st – FAWCO Biennial Conference
23rd – See You at Six – virtual and relaxed meet-up which takes place monthly.
25th – Seminar: Study in Netherlands Mariet Robert, author of Netherlands chapter in AAWE publication, Beyond the Bac, offers a webinar (in French) with representatives of University of Leiden, Erasmus University College, and University of Amsterdam.
27th – Easter Eggs-travaganza via Zoom for all little and big bunnies (ages 3-10)! We will make our own edible treats, crafts, and even have an Easter egg hunt! Participants encouraged to wear bunny ears or their most festive springtime gear!
April 2021
1st – Open to the public – Lecture by Edith de Belleville as part of the 2nd Les Historiennes Series – Chic & Scandalous Courtesans of Paris.
9th – Paint ‘n Sip Evening via Zoom – paint and sip with Lexi Conrad, founder of Studio art ‘n anglais and art teacher at the American School in Paris. Lexi will guide us through a fun, friendly, laid-back virtual painting session. A glass of wine and a few basic painting supplies will be needed.
10th – We’ve set the second Saturday of every month for our social coffee habit. Members can start their weekend with AAWE friends, tea, juice or a latte, and can always stay for lunch!
10th – an evening of fun and laughter, as author Joe Start presents his book, French License (Start Going Places, 2017). Open to the public, more info and register at dev.aaweparis.org/an-evening-with-joe-start
11th – Younger Wonders (50 years and under) – support system for women transitioning into the professional workforce, starting families, and for personal and professional networking. Some members came to France as students and stayed, while others are just starting to establish a foundation.
13th – Afternoon Film Group – A group of film loving AAWE members go regularly to watch a movie together, then have a discussion session post-film.
13th – Meet on Zoom to discuss Days Without End by Sebastian Barry.
15th – John Fredenberger, an American Paris-based attorney, will speak with Pauline Lemasson about personal empowerment when in the face of death, knowing what are the necessary steps and how to take them
17th – a presentation on getting a driver’s license the easy way in France, with a support group discussion to follow. This event will complement Joe Start’s parcours du combattant from a female perspective. We will share tips for overcoming doubts and challenges and also provide moral support for those going through the process now.
22nd – Open to the public – Nana by Emile Zola: Book Discussion – part of the 2nd Les Historiennes Series
26th – AAWE 60th anniversary celebration! More info coming soon about the festivities! To learn more about our 60th anniversary visit our webpage at dev.aaweparis.org/aawe-celebrates-60/
28th – See You at Six – virtual and relaxed meet-up via Zoom, which take place monthly.
29th – As part of the 2nd Les Historiennes Series. Zola’s Germinal – Discussion of the 1993 Film
