Dear Members and Friends,

A lot of important events happened forty years ago, back in 1981:

• Sandra Day O'Conner became the first woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court.
• The first American test-tube baby was born.
• NASA launched the first Space Shuttle, Columbia.

And, drum roll, WACHH was born!  (Its original name was the Foreign Affairs Seminar).

While some people may say that the formation of WACHH is not on the same level as the first three, I disagree.  Over the past 40 years, WACHH has held over 1000 different meetings, with over 25,000 people attending one or more of those meetings, allowing the community to learn about world affairs, engage in thoughtful discussions, and meet new friends.   Now that is a legacy to be proud of!

I doubt the small group of people who started the organization envisioned their simple idea would have such an enduring history.  They would be immensely proud of all the students who have participated in our outreach programs, Academic WorldQuest and Model UN.  It was their first exposure to cultures outside Beaufort County, South Carolina, and the US for many of these students!   The impact these programs had on the students will stay with them for the rest of their lives, many following a country they studied for years to come.

I want to thank each member, guest, and speaker, past and present, who has participated in a WACHH program over the years. Many of them are not with us today to share in our anniversary year celebration, but our legacy is a testament to their support. We are already planning next season's speaker programs and activities and hope to share them with you shortly.

In the meantime, we would love to hear from you! Let us know about your favorite speaker(s), friends you have met, or the impact the programs have had on you.   

We can't wait until we can meet with you all in person, and we look forward to the next 40 years of programs and community together.