For the WICE Blog’s Up Close and Personal series, long term Member and
Volunteer, Jill Bourdais, discusses the origins of WICE and shares her
experiences as the organization has evolved
over the years.
Jill receiving flowers at a Gala from Carol Allen, a former WICE President. |
A WICE member painted the mural pictured in the former WICE Office's inner courtyard |
Over the years, WICE’s purpose
and mission gradually changed. As WICE
grew more successful, culture-based courses, such as Art History, French
History, and Creative Writing, were added to the career-based curriculum. As these courses grew in popularity, WICE
opened up to men and began to serve the entire Anglophone expat community in
Paris. Simultaneously, the world
changed too. With the proliferation of
personal computers and widespread internet access, it was no longer necessary
for people to seek out a resource center for information. Information that had been previously
difficult to obtain, now became available at a click of the mouse. As it also became easier for women to find
jobs and pursue their careers, WICE’s focus on career development for women was
no longer a priority.
Today, WICE’s mission has evolved
to providing cultural education and social events to its members.