Prior to 1924, for many years wives of Rotarians had been helping their husbands in Rotary Service setting up Ladies Committees under the Chairmanship of the Rotary President's wife. We know that ‘Rotary Ladies’ of Liverpool was established in 1916. Such groups used various titles such as “Women’s Auxiliary or "Wheels of Service" and operated freely in the 1920’s. Other nations, such as the USA, have adopted the name of “Rotary-Annes”.

 

In Manchester, England, under the leadership of Mrs. Oliver Golding, Rotarian’s wives adopted the title of Inner Wheel.

 

Mrs Golding, or, Margarette Owen – the name she began her life with -had three essential criteria. She was a trained nurse who saw service during World War One and that experience shaped the rest of her life. She, secondly, became a successful businesswoman as Managing Director of the ‘Nurses Outfitting Association Ltd’ company of Stockport and developed key administrative skills. Thirdly, and fortuitously, she was the wife of a Rotarian.

 

The first Manchester Club produced an invitation for Rotary wives to meet on 15^th November 1923 at Herriot’s Turkish Baths, Deansgate-

"Proposed Formation of a Ladies Rotary Club in Manchester"

- such a club was to be formed along Rotary lines and based on Rotary principles.

 

The idea of a women's Rotary Club was dropped immediately. Local Rotarians gave willing support but both in England and internationally there was at best, little encouragement and at worst, furious opposition. The idea had been dismissed at the 1912 Duluth Convention. RIBI also considered the possibility in 1923 under pressure from amongst others new female MPs such as Lady Astor. The conclusion was that 90% of Rotarians wives would not be eligible for membership of a Women’s Rotary Club.

 

Twenty-seven ladies gathered for this initial meeting. Inner Wheel officially began on 10th January 1924 when Rotarians' wives met in the Social Club, Lower Mosely Street, Manchester, England, and elected Margarette Golding as their first President. Mrs W A Nixon was the first secretary. [10th January is now World Inner Wheel Day]

 

In its first service activity, the Manchester Inner Wheel club announced that £11 had been raised from its first fundraiser. In addition, 80 woolly garments for babies had been sent to St. Mary's Hospital in time for Christmas. Membership subscriptions were set at £1 1s. (a pound and a shilling) per annum. Within a year, membership had doubled.

 

The relationship with Rotary was inevitably strong and never better shown than by Rotary founder Paul P Harris who expressed support for Inner Wheel.

 

Harris paid tribute in his 1935 book This Rotarian Age, “It is heartening also to know that the wives, daughters and mothers of Rotarians in many cities, impressed with the value of Rotary have organized clubs of their own and are doing effective service to charitable enterprises.”

 

The women’s organizations, Harris believed would embrace both professional and businesswomen. Women were, even at this early stage, knocking on the door of Rotary.

 

Mrs Golding told The Rotary Wheel in 1934, "When I received the message that the founder of Rotary was anxious to see me I was so glad for all your sakes. He told me of the interest he had taken in the Club Reports given him in different places and of the activities undertaken, and what an inspiration they were to him. He is specially interested in crippled children work and is a member of the International Crippled Children's Association. In South Africa both he and Mrs Harris have done propaganda work for the "Inner Wheel" movement, and they have taken particulars to America with them. Mrs Harris intends to tell America about Inner Wheel Clubs with the idea of an international organisation which it is most thrilling to contemplate." 

Inner Wheel - facts

 

Inner Wheel Clubs throughout the world comprises the Womenfolk of Rotarians and is now the second largest women’s organisation in the world with over 103,700 members.

 

Inner Wheel concentrates upon friendship and personal service. It is not what is termed a money- raising organisation but each club selects its own Charities and Channels of Service.

 

One of the greatest features of Inner Wheel is the opportunity given to members the world over to get to know one another thus contributing to International Friendship and Understanding.

 

To be a member of Inner Wheel is a privilege that can usually only be enjoyed by the wife, widow or member of a Rotarian's household.

 

Like Rotary the Inner Wheel is divided into local clubs and Districts after being first proposed by Mrs Golding in January 1928. Her aim was to unite all Ladies Rotarian groups under the Inner Wheel umbrella. In 1929, the aims and objects of Inner Wheel were stated - "to promote true friendship and the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service and the betterment of social conditions". The emblem quickly followed which is the Rotary wheel with another smaller wheel within. In 1934, the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland was formed with 79 founder clubs.

 

World-wide expansion led to the success of Inner Wheel. The International Inner Wheel was formed in 1967 and covered some 9 countries. Inner Wheel now stretches throughout 84 countries. The importance of Inner Wheel can be seen from its consultancy status it has with the United Nations (NGO).

 

 

 

Service takes many forms such as overseas projects, emergency aid and domestic charity support. All is dependent on the clubs personal choice - this can be locally or District projects. Service combined with friendship is often found in assisting Rotary projects.

 

The Inner Wheel is a charitable organisation which is committee run based on annual elections. Like Rotary Clubs, Presidents hold office for one year only. Other officers hold office for up to three years.

 

 

 

DATES IN INNER WHEEL HISTORY

 

1923- Adoption of name INNER WHEEL by Clubs.

 

1928- The first DISTRICT was formed.

 

1934 -The 79 Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland agreed to form the ASSOCIATION OF INNER WHEEL CLUBS GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

 

1947 -The title was shortened to the ASSOCIATION OF INNER WHEEL CLUBS to acknowledge overseas Clubs throughout the world.

 

1962 -DENMARK, THE NETHERLANDS, NORWAY and SWEDEN were given representation on the Council of the Association.

 

1967- The formation of INTERNATIONAL INNER WHEEL. NATIONAL COUNCILS were recognised in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Great Britain and Ireland, India, The Netherlands, Norway, The Philippines and Sweden. Our title became the ASSOCIATION OF INNER WHEEL CLUBS IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

 

1970  - First INTERNATIONAL INNER WHEEL Convention at The Hague.

 

2000  - Clubs in 100 Countries/Geographical areas.

 

Calum Thomson

 

Sources:

Inner Wheel – A History -by Jay French

Home and Horizon -by Milicent Gaskell

This Rotarian Age -by Paul P Harris

Towards My Neighbour -by C R Hewitt