Club Life
Membership Meetings
Our members and their guests have the opportunity to meet regularly — once a month (with the exception of July and August) — to exchange ideas. On these afternoons we offer interesting programs, some of them musical, with changing speakers and topics.
As a rule, we meet every second Tuesday of the month at 15:00 (3:00 pm) in the Kaufmanns Casino Munich at Odeonsplatz 6 (entrance on Galeriestraße).
Our Chairlady, Hospitality, Susanne Fox will gladly accept registrations at least 6 days before the meeting:
E -Mail: hospitality@gawc-munich.de
Please do not come without prior registration! There is also the possibility of permanent registration.
Gisela Rampp and Regine Dornseifer will welcome you at the entrance to the hall on the 2nd floor (no elevator). The contribution for each meeting is currently € 30.
Members’ Meeting – March 2026
Our new member Jutta Rössner recited the short story „Die Weise von Liebe und Tod des Cornets Christoph Rilke“ by author Rainer Maria Rilke during our members' meeting in March. The club friends were very moved by the touching story, Rilke's wonderful words, and the Jutta's beautiful presentation.
Members’ Meeting – February 2026
In February, club president Andrea Hellmann invited members to a swap bazaar. There was lots of laughter as everyone tried on the various hats, scarves, and handbags.
Members’ Meeting – January 2026
After the general members’ meeting, Dr. Simone Scharl and Dr. Sandra Brogl introduced the attending members to the use of social media. Using their own phones, everyone practiced how to use a QR code and how to participate in an online survey.
Christmas Party December 09, 2025
Many people have come to this year’s Christmas celebration; every seat is taken at the long, festively set tables. Fir garlands, decorated with small bouquets of colorful Christmas ornaments and straw stars, run along the tables. Candles are glowing. Coffee and tea are waiting, along with a delicious selection of cakes, cookies, and stollen.
Once again, Susanne Foxx and Christine Kaps have lovingly created the festive setting with great dedication—and more than that. With their impressively rich voices and the songs they perform, they create a warm, Christmas atmosphere.
The same is true of Cornelia Riegelsberger Schneck, who reads a Christmas story by Walter Benjamin and the American poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore from 1822. Then the room fills with movement and lively exchange. The afternoon is moderated by Vice President Dr. Monika Deuerlein, who adds pointed personal remarks.
Happy holidays and all the best for the New Year!
Members’ Meeting – November 2025
At the November members’ meeting, Gabriele Hammerschick, buyer for the traditional costume department at Lodenfrey, gave a presentation on “Traditional Costume and Modern Style.
Members’ Meeting – Oktober 2025
Another speaker at the GAWC of Munich (German-American Women’s Club of Munich) member meeting came from the organization FortSchritt Bayern — Ms. Tatijana von Quadt, accompanied by the organization’s press spokesperson, Ms. Svenja Kristen.
Ms. von Quadt was able to share, from very personal experience, what it means to have family members with disabilities and how essential it is to receive support from outside the family — especially with an inclusive mindset. It is important to embrace TOGETHERNESS from early childhood, through school, vocational training, and into adulthood.
For many, many years — nearly since its founding 30 years ago — the GAWC has supported this organization. At the upcoming Silver Tea event, FortSchritt will be one of the recipients of the club’s donation checks.
Members’ Meeting – September 2025
Reunion in the Fall
President Andrea Hellmann gave a heartfelt welcome to the many ladies who came to our first gathering after the summer break, sending everyone her best wishes for a happy and fulfilling new club year. Everywhere you looked, there were smiles, warm reunions, and good cheer. Chairlady Susanne Fox and Christine Kaps once again provided the perfect setting with beautifully decorated tables, coffee, and cake.
This year, at the Silver Tea in the Kaisersaal of the Residenz in November, the German-American Women’s Club of Munich e.V. will present two checks of €10,000 each to two charitable organizations.
One of these is “Der Weiße Ring” (“The White Ring”), which provides immediate aid and ongoing support to victims of crime. Operating nationwide with around 400 local offices, the organization is staffed mostly by volunteers and works closely with the police.
Zusammenarbeit mit der Polizei.
Mrs. Silvia Niedermaier heads the Freising office, which she co-founded in 1996. At the invitation of Susanne Ahrens, Chairlady of the Silver Tea, she gave a very engaging presentation on the history and scope of her work and shared moving anonymized cases. She emphasized the alarming number of women and children among crime victims.
Members’ Meeting – May 2025
The atmosphere at the Kaufmanns Casino during the member gathering on May 13 was cheerful and warm. The tasteful table decorations, featuring fragrant lilacs and color-coordinated napkins, along with the delicious homemade cakes, certainly contributed to this. Sunlight filled the room, creating a cozy, welcoming ambiance. In the second part of the afternoon, Dr. Stephan Gastroph, a gynecologist from Munich, spoke about hormone replacement therapy during menopause—its benefits as well as its limitations. During the following Q&A session, he took the time to answer all questions from the audience in detail.
Members’ Meeting – March 2025
Things were lively at the Kaufmanns Casino on March 11, 2025, when Christina Mathesius presented her book “Living Miles Away – or How I Left My Cancer in the Forest” at the GAWC member meeting. The author’s provocative theses sparked intense criticism. Not surprising—coping with cancer is a deeply emotional subject, one that every woman faces in her own individual way.
Members’ Meeting – February 2025
The member gathering on February 11, 2025, at the Kaufmanns Casino was well attended. Thanks to Chairlady Susanne Fox, the many ladies who came were warmly welcomed at lovingly decorated tables under the theme of “Carnival.” Treated to delicious cakes, everyone enjoyed a truly engaging afternoon. Actress Michaela May, patron of the RETLA foundation—who had accepted our donation check at last year’s Silver Tea—presented her autobiography “Behind the Smile.” It was a moving reading. The room was filled with palpable tension as everyone listened intently. Michaela May did not sugarcoat or hide anything. With admirable openness, she spoke not only about the happy and beautiful moments in her life, but also about its painful, unfathomable low points.
Members’ Meeting – January 2025
President Andrea Hellmann led the first club meeting of the new year with her usual confident and charming manner. erste Clubtreffen im neuen Jahr.
At the upcoming Magnolia Ball in February, the charitable organization Imma will receive the GAWC’s donation check. During the meeting, managing directors Gundula Brunner and Sabine Wieninger spoke about Imma’s mission: improving the lives of girls and young women, and supporting those who have experienced abuse and violence.
Afterwards, over a glass of prosecco offered by the President, members gathered for lively conversation.
Members’ Meeting – December 2024
The club meeting on December 10 was wonderfully organized by Susanne Fox and Christine Kaps, who also enriched the gathering with festive Christmas songs. Cornelia Riegelsberger-Schneck read two holiday stories—one about Abraham Lincoln’s childhood Christmas, and another about the true meaning of Christmas: kindness, love, and hope. In high spirits, the President thanked the outgoing Chairladies for their dedication and efforts with a bouquet of flowers, and wished the incoming Chairladies every success in their new roles. Journalist Bettina Musall, who had spoken at the November meeting, signed copies of her books for members during the event
Members’ Meeting – November 2024
This could turn out well "This could turn out well" – the title of the new book by Bettina Musall was the theme of the GAWC members' meeting on November 12, 2024. Through life stories – both her own and those of others – the long-time Spiegel editor shared her thoughts with the members on life’s breaks and phases of transition . Whether it's how one addresses or engages with the history of one’s parents and grandparents, the transition from childhood to adolescence, or the end of a professional career, the question always arises: Is that it, or is there more to come? Bettina Musall, Valeria from Southern Italy, and Liisa from Vermont have each found their own answers to this question. At the end of the reading, there was a plea for more collaboration between generations so that "we don't sink into our own bubble"!
Members’ Meeting – October 2024
The members' meeting on October 8 focused on a touching topic: the loneliness of older people and how a local social institution gives them a new zest for life. Judith Prem, founder of the non-profit organization RETLA , gave us an impressive presentation about the work of this institution. Ms. Prem will receive this year's donation cheque at the 73rd Silver Tea on 5 November.
