A Brief History of International Inner Wheel
The History of Inner Wheel Movement unfolds a fascinating picture of its origin and development. Mr Paul Harris started the first Rotary Club in 1905 in Chicago to bring together professional men for friendship, fellowship and service. From one club it soon became a movement and spread to many countries.
The wives of Rotarians (Rotary Anns) in England joined hands to help their husbands with social work undertaken by the Rotary club. Friendship brought them closer and they felt that if they organized their own club they could work better.
On 15th November 1923, twenty seven Rotary wives, led by Mrs. Margarette Oliver Golding met in a cooling room (because it was free of charge) at Herriot’s Turkish Baths, St Mary’s Street, Deansgate, Manchester. They discussed the possibilities of forming an independent ladies group run on Rotary lines. The objects of the club, they explained, would be, to foster friendship and to offer much more in the way of service.
The new club met for the first time on 10th January 1924 at Social club in Lower Mosley Street, Manchester, which became their regular meeting place. After a great deal of discussion, it was decided to call the new club ‘Inner Wheel Club of Manchester’. This day, that is 10th January is observed as ‘World Inner Wheel Day’. Margarette Golding, the founder was elected as the First President and Mrs W.A. Nixon, as the first Secretary. Thirty members were present and six basic rules were agreed upon they were:
1. The name shall be ‘The Inner Wheel’.
2. The emblem shall be: the Rotary emblem wheel with a small wheel within it- the inner wheel. (Present logo).
3. The Inner wheel year shall be from 1st July to 30th June.
4. Inner Wheel shall not be Sectarian or party political.
5. There shall be nomenclature for all offices.
6. Official language shall be English.
From the modest beginning on 10th January 1924 sprang a powerful movement. Many more clubs came into existence. They realized that unity is strength and had the wisdom to group clubs into Districts and then later to bring the Districts to form an Association, which further resulted in the formation of International Inner Wheel. The Wheel moved on and more members came into the fold with more number of clubs across the globe.
We are all proud members of this International organization which has blossomed during last 98 years and which has given us a platform to serve.