FAWCO's earliest history was preserved in scrapbooks carefully prepared by Helen Seaverns of London. The Second World War disrupted FAWCO operations for nearly ten years, and some of our records were lost or destroyed. The scrapbooks, however, survived. Once FAWCO reorganized in 1949, new clubs started to join who had no knowledge of FAWCO's early work. Without ready access to the physical scrapbooks, though, sharing FAWCO's history amongst FAWCO's member clubs was limited. An interview in 1954 with Mary Unwin of London, FAWCO's Bulletin editor from 1936 to 1939, pieced together the rough outline of FAWCO's beginnings. Then, in 1963, President Elizabeth Tiné of Rome prepared “History Highlights,” three small-typed pages. She emphasizes these familiar goals:
to bring about better understanding between nations” and “to keep in constant touch with the latest developments in The United Nations in connection with the status of women throughout the world."
FAWCO then published histories in a more orderly fashion, in 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001. These were staple-bound affairs in soft, often red, covers.
FAWCO’S 75th Birthday, 1931-2006, was celebrated in a grander fashion – a glorious red hardcover edition, the FAWCO seal in gold; 224 pages; archival footage of ladies in hats and gloves; distinguished guests (Rose Kennedy, Jehan Sadat, Pope Paul VI); essays, awards, and pictures galore in black and white and color.
Editors Nancy Thornley and Georgia Regnault continued to preserve our Red Book memories in three five-year updates, 2011 and 2016 and 2021, and FAWCO's Inspiring Women magazine, edited by Liz MacNiven, produced an 87 page special 90th Anniversary Edition filled with articles, profiles, photos and trivia.
2021 The Red Book: Celebrating 90 Year of FAWCO — Rebranding for the Future: 2016-2020 (pdf download)
Editors: Nancy Thornley and Georgia Regnault, President 1987-1989
2021: Inspiring Women: Celebrating 90 Years of FAWCO Worldwide
Editor: Liz MacNiven
2016 The Red Book: Celebrating 85 Years of FAWCO (pdf download)
Editors: Nancy Thornley and Georgia Regnault, President 1987-1989
2011 The Red Book: FAWCO: A History 1931-2011 (pdf download)
Editors: Nancy Thornley and Georgia Regnault, President 1987-1989
2006 The Red Book (pdf download)
Editors: Nancy Thornley and Georgia Regnault, President 1987-1989
2001 70 Years of FAWCO
Editors: Elaine Senigallia, President 1981-1983 and Georgia Regnault, President 1987-1989
1991 1954 Brief FAWCO History
Editor: Elaine Senigallia, President 1981-1983
1981 A Half Century of Two-Way Ambassadorship
Editors: Elizabeth Bagney, President 1973-1975; Pan Hottinger, Secretary 1977-81; and Shirley van Ooijen, President 1977-1979
1971 Unofficial Two-Way Ambassadors
Compiled by Ruth White, FAWCO Historian, and Anna Brady, Editor
1963 History Highlights
Compiled by Elisabeth Tiné, President 1961-1963
1954 Brief FAWCO History
1954 Spring Issue Bulletin VOL 4, No 2