Celebrating 40 Years of SWIC: A Legacy of Connection, Growth, and Sisterhood

2026 marks a milestone, 40 incredible years of the Shenzhen Women’s International Club. It all began four decades ago, when a small group of courageous women came together, bound by the shared adventure of life in a new city. From those first heartfelt conversations over humble coffee mornings, SWIC was born.


I may not have known the founders personally, but I’ve held in my hands the typewritten notes they passed around at weekly meetups, handmade survival guides for navigating the unfamiliar. Those women didn’t just build a club; they built a tradition. And that tradition? It lives on in every coffee we share, every story we tell, and every woman we welcome into this vibrant community.


I joined SWIC in 2019, unsure of what to expect, but what I found was nothing short of transformative. I discovered apps that made life easier, insider tips on where to shop, and yes, through one of our fantastic activity groups, I even learned how to play mahjong. (And guess what? Now I’m the one teaching it!)

Slowly, then beautifully, I started forming friendships, real, lasting bonds. Just like those original members did 40 years ago. And that’s the heartbeat of SWIC: women lifting women, across cultures and continents.

We’ve evolved over time, from the Shekou Women’s International Club to the Shenzhen Women’s International Club, because our community has grown, just like our ambitions. But our core mission has never wavered: to create a warm, welcoming space where women meet, connect, learn, and flourish.

Today, we’re more dynamic than ever. With groups spanning movie nights, tennis matches, mahjong marathons, hiking adventures, cooking classes, and so much more, there’s truly something for every woman, every interest, every stage of life. And we hear you: life is busy. That’s why we’ve made room for working women on our board and expanded our weekend activities to fit your schedule.

Oh, and did we mention the perks? SWIC partners with top vendors across Shenzhen, from beloved restaurants and trusted hospitals to dental clinics and local boutiques, offering our members exclusive discounts year-round. For many, the savings alone more than cover the cost of membership!

But let’s be real: the real treasure of SWIC isn’t the discounts, it’s the women. It’s the laughter over prosecco at Social Hour, the playdates at Moms & Tots, the exhilaration of a sunrise hike, or the satisfying clack of mahjong tiles on a Friday afternoon. Whatever speaks to your soul, we’ve got a group for it.

As President this year, I feel the weight, and the joy, of this legacy. My mission? To pay it forward. To honor those trailblazing women from 40 years ago by doing exactly what they did: opening doors, building bridges, and making every woman in Shenzhen feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

So here’s to 40 years of friendship, adventure, and unstoppable community. And here’s to the next 40, even brighter, bolder, and more beautiful than we can imagine.

Let’s make it count. Together.

Maribel MacDonald

President

Shenzhen Women’s International Club