Chicago International Women Associates Tragedy

Dear Presidents and Coordinators,

It is with deep sadness that I am writing to inform you of the terrible news which some of you may have already heard. On Wednesday afternoon, members of the International Women Associates of Chicago, were returning home from a day trip to a Japanese floral exhibition in Rockford when an articulated lorry slammed into their tour bus. Of the 25 Members on the excursion, seven were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident of which one was the former President Mrs. Sonia Aladjem which some of you will probably have corresponded with in the past. 16 Members were taken to hospitals of which one later died and 6 are still in a critical condition. The current President Mrs Nancy Knapp was also on the excursion and is in hospital but should make a full recovery. IWA's International Coordinator Mrs Margot Wyszomirski was unable to take part in the excursion and had a lucky escape. I am sure you will all join me in offering our sincere condolences to the Members of our Sister Club and their families in their grief of this terrible tragedy.

Ismelda Pellet Chairman "Open Door" to Associations of International Women

Dear Ismelda,

Thank you for informing us of this very sad and tragic news. Int the name of INC Madrid, we will send our deepest sympathy to IWA of Chicago and their families. Unfortionately. I was not privileged to know the former President Mrs. Sonia Aladjem nor the others from this club, but I am certain she will be dearly missed by those who did. Very sincerely yours,
Susan Milla President International Newcomers Club, Madrid, Spain

Dear Ismelda,

Thank you for shareing the tragic news of the accident in Chicago.   From the members of the American International  Women's Club in Johannesburg, South Africa, please accept our sincere condolences on the tragedy that overtook your club members on the Wednesday 3rd September.

My heart bleeds, for the families and friends, of those who have been
injured and died as a result of this accident.

May "The One who Loves us Most " have his healing hand close to those in mourning.

Sincerely,

Felicity Brandt
Second Vice President
American International Women's Club, Johannesburg, South Africa

Dear Ismelda,

I just got back from a trip to Krakau, Poland. Thank you for letting me know.  I, too, am so grieved with this terrible news. We would like to express our sadness and sympathy by sending cards of condolence to the families of those who lost their loved ones and our good wishes for a quick recovery to those who were hurt in the accident. We would very much appreciate your sending me their names and addresses. ZIWA will dedicate a few moments in memory of our sisters who have left us ,  at our Monthly Meeting on October 23rd. To the IWA Chicago, Memories keep those we love close to us forever Although words seem to say so little , I hope they help in some small way to ease the sense of loss that you're experiencing today.

Allow me to quote Linda E. Knight: " Hold fast to your memories, to all of the cherished moments of the past, to the blessings and the laughter, the joys and the celebrations, the sorrow and the tears. They all add up to a treasure of fond yesterdays that you shared and spent together, and they keep the one you loved close to you in spirit and thought. The special moments and memories in your life will never change. They will always be in your heart, today and forevermore."

With deepest sympathy and on behalf of ZIWA,
Aurorita Aurorita Hunziker
President ZIWA - Zurich International Women's Association

Dear Ismelda,

Although I know you must be overwhelmed with replies to your email, I wish to add condolences from our club in Slovenia. The news was especially heavy for us since we were so recently together with you and so many of our sister clubs at the June gathering in Graz, Austria. During that event, I realized just how much our clubs and members have in common, and how much we all have to share. It could happen to any one of our clubs. Had there been a Japanese Floral Exhibition nearby, I know how many of our members would have been signed up to go on the trip.

If this tragedy can possibly have any positive effects, let's hope that it allows us to have a greater appreciation of each of our members. Let's be sure to tell each other how much we value every person's contribution to the group, no matter how small. At our next meeting on October 14 th we will ask our members to observe a moment of silence dedicated to our Sister Club in Chicago. We will also be taking up a collection to be sent to the President, Mrs. Nancy Knapp, to be used as a donation to their chosen charity in memory of those who died.

With our deepest sympathy,
Terry Milk President - Slovenian International Ladies Association Presednica - Slovensko Mednarodno Zdruzenje Zensk