- Many Past Homes and Many International Programming Responsiblities –
July 20, 2011
This blog post continues our retrospective, compiled in 1998 by former GCIV executive director Anne Hansen. Please be a part of our 50th anniversary celebration in 2012 by leaving comments about your GCIV memories, reasons for hosting, and beliefs about the impact of our shared work.
After its beginnings back in the Haas back bedroom, ACIV/GCIV has been located in a number of offices, all donated. From the Biltmore Hotel, the office moved to the First National Bank at North Avenue and Peachtree Center, briefly in the Bank of the South, the Habersham Hotel and Georgia Tech, the First Union Bank at 10th and Peachtree Streets and at Tower Place in Buckhead.
The First National Bank, once home to GCIV offices, was demolished in 2006.
Photo courtesy Atlanta Time Machine.
In addition to the primary objective of programming for short term visitors, GCIV has several other programs and projects which it oversees. The International Women Associates, a group of 130 women both American and international, meet once a month from September through May for social coffees in members’ homes for programs of cultural interest. This group has its origins as the Committee for Wives of International Students in 1967 under the Atlanta International Student Bureau. Later called Friends of Internationals, the name was changed to International Women Associates in 1985. One of the earliest volunteers with this group was Ada Almering who in 1998 still conducted a monthly reading group for international women at her home.
Another women’s group, the International Businesswomen’s Network was formed in 1982 by Gema Dillard to promote interaction among women who worked in the international field or who had origins in other countries. Meeting monthly for lunch and a speaker on an international topic, in 1998 this group had 100 members.
In 1972 Helen Sebba took over the management of the Language Bank, a file of translators and interpreters who could be called in emergencies and for business needs. Mrs. Sebba, herself a translator, brought more professional screening and evaluation to the bank. When there were few language resources in the city, especially for emergency situations, this list of interpreters and translators was used extensively by the police and emergency agencies, hotels, hospitals and the airport. In addition businesses were referred to the names in the Language Bank for translation services. As the expertise in languages within the community increased and more commercial resources were available, then need for the Language Bank decreased and in 1995 it was phased out.
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Our Mission & Vision
GCIV builds understanding and cooperation between the people of our state and the world. Our vision is that every Georgia citizen has the opportunity to become more globally engaged.
Upcoming Events & Delegations
- Wed 2/22/2012 - 2/26/2012: Libyan Delegation
- Wed 2/22/2012 - 2/26/2012: South African Delegation
- Wed 2/22/2012 - 2/25/2012: Greek Delegation
- Fri 2/24/2012: International Dining Experience