A national exhibition dedicated to the 100th anniversary of one of the largest voluntary women's organizations in the world - Inner Wheel, was opened on the anniversary of January 10th in the center of Stara Zagora. Guests of the event were Deputy Mayors of Stara Zagora Municipality – Milena Zheleva and Pavlina Delcheva, the president of the Rotary Club of Stara Zagora-Beroe and deputy chairman of the Stara Zagora Municipal Council Anton Tonev, the president of the Rotary Club of Stara Zagora Petar Petrov, the chairman of the Stara Zagora Chamber of Commerce and Industry Oleg Stoilov, the head of the Culture Department Diana Atanasova, friends and supporters of the club.
The story of the Inner Wheel Club internationally is told in 30 panels, 10 of which are dedicated to the history of the two Stara Zagora Inner Wheel organizations. The exhibition is located in the southern part of the 5th of October Park and will be accessible to all residents and guests of the city for two weeks.
"100 years ago, on January 10, Margaret Golding and 27 other ladies, wives of Rotarians, founded the first Inner Wheel Club in the city of Manchester. A century later, the organization spans 5 continents, unites 120,000 women from 100 countries and has representation at the UN. In connection with the emblematic anniversary, we ladies initiated this event, which was approved as a National Traveling Exhibition, under the motto "100 Years of Inner Wheel". By the end of the year, it will travel throughout the country. In addition to the history of the organization and how long it has existed in Bulgaria, the panel also presents the activities of the Inner Wheel Club Stara Zagora-Beroe. We are only 6 years old, but we have already managed to implement many charitable causes and initiatives for the benefit of our community." – shared the president of "Inner Wheel Stara Zagora - Beroe" Diana Gospodinova, who is among the organizers of the initiative.
"6 years ago, with great desire, we created the Inner Wheel Club Stara Zagora - Beroe. Over the years, the club's members have been constantly increasing with ladies who want to cooperate and work. Inner Wheel is one of the largest volunteer organizations in the world. We are united by working with women, with children. During the Covid pandemic, we implemented a project "Smile" - providing free dental services to children with special needs. We also implemented a project for free gynecological examinations. Our volunteer initiatives are aimed at partnering with other Inner Wheel organizations in Bulgaria and around the world and with non-governmental organizations in Stara Zagora." – declared Dr. Diana Bushkalova, past president of the Inner Wheel Club Stara Zagora - Beroe.
"Continue to do good deeds, build yourselves up and multiply your members. It is no coincidence that this exhibition is in a central location – in the heart of Stara Zagora. Everyone should see how your organization works at the local level, because you are extremely active and cover the entire palette of good and selfless endeavors. 100 years is a huge period of time, this exhibition turns the tape back and will show people a different world. We, as a Municipality, will always help you and with whatever we can. Good afternoon!"– Milena Zheleva, Deputy Mayor of Stara Zagora Municipality, greeted the ladies.
Anton Tonev, president of the Rotary Club of Stara Zagora-Beroe and deputy chairman of the Municipal Council of Stara Zagora, also extended his greetings to the ladies from the Inner Wheel Club of Stara Zagora-Beroe.
"What you do is invaluable, because society needs to be aware of all your good deeds. Promoting the activities of our clubs is very important in order to attract more and more people to the causes we carry out. I congratulate you that the idea for this project came from your club, was recognized by the District and has already been implemented. This proves that your club works very well. A successful exhibition and many new projects" – Anton Tonev also wished.
A Brief History of Inner Wheel
The beginning of Inner Wheel is set in Manchester, Great Britain on 10 January 1924, when Mrs Margaret Golding chaired a club formed by the wives of Rotarians. The name Inner Wheel was chosen at that time to signify the connection with Rotary with a smaller circle contained within it. By 1967 Inner Wheel clubs were being formed all over the world and it was then decided to form International Inner Wheel.
The first Inner Wheel club in Bulgaria was established on June 7, 1997 in Plovdiv with charter president Mrs. Maya Chausheva. The first Bulgarian District was registered in IW with number 248. It united 9 clubs – IW Club Varna, IW Club Vidin, IW Club Dobrich, IW Kazanlak, IW Plovdiv, IW Stara Zagora, IW Shumen, IW Yambol, IW Haskovo. Since then, the number of clubs in Bulgaria has increased and now numbers 27.
