Meet the 2023-2024 Board



Darlene Oglesby

President

My family moved to Bordeaux in 2019 BC – in times we now call "Before Covid". Fortunately, this American managed to make it to a luncheon before the world closed all the doors. The interesting, creative women I met that first day have carried me as I have adjusted to a new land, a new language and a new way of living. Since then, I have found that our club members love nothing more than sharing their friendship, experience and sense of adventure.

As President, I can't wait to meet you at our luncheons, meet-ups, events, bike rides, book clubs and outreach opportunities.


Cynthia Hart-Soden

Secretary

I’m American by birth and a naturalised French citizen. After earning my MS Degree from the University of Michigan, I began my working career as an environmental engineer then moving on to teaching after moving to Europe. Finally settling in Dordogne 29 years ago, I raised my 2 sons alone in a small village in Dordogne, I appreciate first-hand how important a supportive social network can be. I joined the BWC in 2008 and while my work timetable did not allow me to attend many lunches, the Club still provided me with a welcoming group to turn to. Now retired, recently remarried and a budding ceramicist, I am looking forward to my role as Secretary in this dynamic team!  


Kit Seguin

Vice President

Community Outreach Coordinator

The BWC became an important part of my life with our precipitous move from Brazil to rural Aquitaine in 1998.  As an American with iffy French, I was overwhelmed with moving in, children's school adjustments, and my husband's failing health. French member Martine kindly introduced me to the BWC, where I so appreciated the quiet support of new friends.  I found solace in a reading group begun with another French member, Isabelle (Turning The Page Book Club - still going strong). 

After a teaching career, I joined the Statutes Committee and now also work with Community Outreach, BWC's charitable program for women, girls and children.  A social club with a social conscience ? - I approve ! 


Katey Murray

Treasurer

have lived in France since 2003. I am British with Scottish, Liverpudlian and Irish origins. I am married to a French man and we have two boys born in 2013 and 2015. I have been a member of the club since 2017 and I was appointed as Treasurer in 2020. I studied law in the UK and France. From 2012-2017 I worked as an in-house lawyer and personal tax lawyer for an accountancy firm near Bordeaux. Since 2017 I have been working as a Financial Adviser for the English-speaking expatriate community. I like attending the luncheons and the Walks and Talks when I can. I love the way the BWC members support and celebrate each other. 


Marie-Noëlle Grousset

Officer-at-Large

I am French. My husband and I retired in the Entre-2-Mers.

Because of my husband’s job, we had the opportunity to live near New York City. We felt so welcome in the United States! Even 35 years later, we are still close to our dear American friends. Being in the BWC for 30 years has reminded me of this period of my life. I was introduced by Sheri Thompson, a previous member and President. My volunteer work in the Club is my way of showing how thankful I am.

I enjoy meeting all these open minded ladies coming from all over the world.


Tania Domeneghetti

Officer-at-Large

I am Brazilian. After my academic years in Rio de Janeiro and with a Communications degree in hand, I headed to NYC where I lived and worked in Public Relations and as an Executive Secretary for the Brazilian/American Chamber of Commerce. During this time, I met my husband and ended up moving to Bordeaux.

An American friend of mine invited me to attend a BWC meeting-luncheon. At that point, I understood the importance of having such a welcoming and supportive club in my life. I have met beautiful, understanding, loving and caring women all the way.

I am so proud to be part of this team!


Mercedes Rosiefsky

Officer-at-Large

I'm of Spanish decent, grew up and lived for many years in Paris. I also spent several years in Spain, Germany, and Switzerland which gave me the opportunity to learn Spanish, French, English and German. Although my husband is German, English is our language at home. Currently residing in Saint Sulpice et Cameyrac, I'm  involved in my community as a volunteer for Les Blouses Roses, and as a scholastic tutor at the local école primaire. 

I joined the BWC in 2019 when we moved to Bordeaux and since then the Club has allowed me to meet very interesting and varied women. It has surprisingly been the best way to feel at home in Bordeaux.


The Extended Board



Susan Hautefeuille

Membership Coordinator

I am Japanese-American, born in the Midwest US. While living in Tokyo, I met my French husband. I have lived in Japan, NY, Australia, and now the Bordeaux area. Life unfolds in creative ways! 

An innocent phone call led me to the BWC, where the unique perspective and natural understanding of what it is to have a varied life, the multiculturalism, the sharing and support of dynamic women, and the fun range of activities, were all a perfect fit. I plunged right in and welcome you to do the same! 

The BWC Spirit has guided us well for 72 years and we look forward to sharing this legacy with you. 


Assistant: Anne-Sophie Belloeil



Deirdre Rankin

Luncheon

and Events Coordinator


I am Scottish by birth but have lived in UK, India and Africa before settling in France in 1991. I joined the BWC after many years of debate with myself about an all-female/American organisation but, after a delightful Sunday lunch at a member's house where all the guests were BWC ladies with their partners, I joined and do not regret it for a moment.

I help to run the Cinema group and I am one of the Luncheon and events coordinators.


Team: Gratienne Guillo-Lohan

Elisabeth Rivasseau


Béatrice Marionnet

Activities Coordinator

When I was an expat in North Devon, U.K. and later in Burlington, VT, U.S.A, I have discovered the experience of living abroad. Once back in France from the US, I landed in Grenoble, far from my family and friends who were in Paris and in the Sologne area. As I have worked all my life in anglophone groups (EDS/GM, BT, Mars Group…), thanks to my MBA, I looked for anglophone associations and joined the local one (WWNG). There, I made lots of friends and when I decided to move to Bordeaux, one of them said she was also moving to Gironde and she told me about the BWC. I checked the website and filled in the application form in 2021. 

I am so glad to have found these wonderful ladies that I want to be part of their adventure by helping the Club as Activities Coordinator.


Team:  Xenia von Wedel

Denise Jobin Welch


Alaina Kennedy

Newsletter Editor

When I made the leap from Chicago to Bordeaux with my husband, I was searching for a tribe of amazing, open-minded, and earnest women with diverse backgrounds. Little did I know that I would stumble upon the incredible BWC! These ladies are not just supportive and inspiring; they are loving, creative, and downright fantastic! 

Writing has been my passion and profession for as long as I can remember. I'm proud to serve as the editor of the BWC newsletter, where I get to weave together the stories and experiences of our incredible members. 

When I'm not behind the keyboard, you can find me with a camera in hand, exploring Bordeaux's culinary scene or immersing myself in the French language, I'm putting in the hard work to master it like a pro!


Team: Sabine Cornic (graphic design)



Anne-Sophie Belloeil

Webmistress, Communication Coordinator

I am French. I joined the Club at the end of 2018, upon arriving in Bordeaux after several years in NJ and VA, in these beloved USA where I had left my only daughter, a freshman in college. I found well-traveled and interesting women, with diverse backgrounds, ages and interests, to welcome me. I made good friends. This group helped me navigate the trials of moving back to France, of an empty nest, of an 18-month long Covid separation...

I used to teach French literature and love to share my culture through an activity I run monthly called Made in France. The Lit Corner, that I founded with my close friend Rachel, gives BWC members who share our passion for literature a place to discuss great reads.


Assistant: Lynn Appleton


Sara Babin

Facebook Manager

I’m originally from San Francisco but was swept away by my French boyfriend in the early 90’s. We have lived in 6 countries since we met. In 2008, we decided to settle in his hometown, Bordeaux. We’ve lived here ever since with our two boys.

I joined the BWC right away and have never looked back. I’ve had the pleasure of holding several roles on the extended board and was president of the BWC for 3 years. The BWC has been a place of friendship every step of the way with a dynamic group of international women that understand the challenges and joys of living a global life.



Linda Martin

Neighborhood Groups Coordinator

I've been living happily in Bordeaux for a long time (27 years), where I raised my family. I am American, with French nationality as well, and have been working locally as coordinator for teaching "English for Nursing and Radiography" also for many years.

I have been Vice President and President of the BWC. So this association and its members are dear to my heart. I'm very much looking forward to participating in BWC's newest evolution. 


AssistantGill Fortescue




Lindsay Mégraud

Statutes Committee Chairperson

A young American woman from New Jersey (that's me!) moved to Bordeaux for love many moons ago. Those were the days when it was difficult to make friends quickly, especially as a non-French speaker. So what a wonderful treat to discover the Bordeaux Women's Club where friendship is the key and the richness of the club's international composition a pure delight. English being the common language in order to encompass such a wide and varied group allows immediate contact and sharing.

A past Vice-President and Secretary, I am currently the Statutes Committee Chairperson, and consider it a great privilege to serve the BWC as a member of its Extended Board. I look forward with great expectation to meeting new faces at our future meeting-luncheons and various activities.



Françoise Convey

Elections Committee Chairperson

Coming soon...




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