Inner Wheel

Inner Wheel began during World War I in England, when Rotarians overburdened with service demands asked their wives to help with Rotary commitments. In accepting the challenge friendships were formed that would never have taken place. The women wanted to continue these associations and their service projects, and Inner Wheel began.

The roots from which International Inner Wheel has grown were established in 1924 when the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland was formed. Mrs. Irene Golding, from Manchester, England was the first president.

In 1962, countries from outside Great Britain and Ireland were invited, but it was not until 1967 when International Inner Wheel was formed. International Inner Wheel has become one of the largest women’s organizations in the world with members in the United States, United Kingdom, most of Europe, Africa, India, Pakistan, Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Japan. There are approximately 105,000 members in 103 geographical locations.

Inner Wheel of Westchester is comprised of the wives, daughters and friends of Rotarian families throughout the county. The aims of Inner Wheel are to promote true friendship, to encourage the ideals of personal service and to foster international understanding.

Although not primarily a fund-raising organization, Inner Wheel has projects that build fellowship and raise money to support charities. This year the Inner Wheel Club of Westchester made contributions to the Open Door Family Medical Group, Rotary’s Gift of Life, Friends Network, N.W. Shelter, American Cancer Society, Maria Fareri’s Childrens Hospital in Valhalla, Fistula Hospital for Women and the Inner Wheel U.S.A.Foundation.

The Inner Wheel U.S.A. Foundation’s Myoelectric Upper Limb Project provides a better future to those children born without a hand or who have lost a hand caused by an accident. Each year approximately 400 children in America are born without a hand. Another 200 lose hands through injury or disease. We have found that most insurance companies do not have coverage for these children to obtain a Myoelectric prosthesis. The Inner Wheel Foundation, working with clinics throughout the United States helps these children obtain the limbs. Suzane Sadofsky a Cortlandt resident

Inner Wheel Club of Westchester meets once a month for dinner and a program at La Camelia Restaurant in Mt. Kisco. The wives, sisters, daughters, significant others of Rotarians as well as women Rotarians are invited to contact Suzane Sadofsky, Ann Prahl or Linda Gruetzner as well as our newest Inner Wheel member from Cortlandt, Happiene Sampson to learn more about our wonderful organization.