Bordeaux Women's Club (BWC)

Meet the 2022-2023 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.

Susan Hautefeuille

Vice President

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 71 years and we look forward to sharing this legacy with you.

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 !

Marie-Françoise

Fene-Le Boucher

Vice President

It was a great surprise to find the BWC upon my arrival in Bordeaux when I retired after having held various positions in large multinational companies. The diversity of the members (from many countries around the world) with different profiles and backgrounds creates a kind of family with a very positive spirit. You can feel the emerging energy when we meet in small or large groups.

Danielle Tolhurst

Secretary

I arrived in Bordeaux in June 20. By September, I had made some connections through the club which helped when we were confined to our homes with a strict curfew. To be able to connect with like minded women with similar experiences of living abroad was great. Even though I am French, I had been living away for 30 years and it was sometimes hard to get used to the French way of doing things. It is my pleasure to be able to give back to new members the warm welcome I received myself. I am keen to mentor ladies who wish to improve their knowledge of French culture and Language and look forward to my first year as Secretary on the Board. I love running, swimming and photography.

Katey Murray

Treasurer

I 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.

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

Gail Wood

Activities Coordinator

I am American and with my Scottish husband, lived in Europe for a few years before finally settling in France in 1977. Along our path, our daughter was born in Munich and our son in Geneva. At retirement in 2003, I resettled in Gironde and have enjoyed the friendship and support which the BWC has brought me. It has given me pleasure to reciprocate by working as membership coordinator for a few years and now as activities coordinator. Both are rewarding jobs!

Assistant: Trina Frank

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.

Assistant: Anne-Sophie Belloeil

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 and it's new enthusiastic team.

Assistant: Gill Fortescue

Barbara Josse

Newsletter Editor

I moved to Bordeaux and joined the BWC nearly 3 years ago. I'm British and a keen cyclist, walker, in fact anything active. When I unexpectedly found myself with additional time on my hands, I offered to edit the Newsletter. It has become a passion. I appreciate the range of activities, and the warm and supportive network created by our members.

Assistant: Laurel Gardner

Anne-Sophie Belloeil

IT Coordinator

I am French and when I joined the Club at the end of 2018, I had just moved to Bordeaux having spent several years in the USA. I found a group of open-minded and earnest women with diverse backgrounds, ages and interests to welcome me – several became close friends.

I am in charge of our website and management software, I assist Deirdre with luncheons and events, and run an activity called Made in France, as well as The Lit Corner with a good friend.

Assistant: Judith Hodgson

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.

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.

Gill Tucker

Elections Committee Chairperson

I am british born in London and have spent most of my life living and working in London or Kent. I along with my husband purchased our home in France back in 2004 after having holidayed in South West France for many years. We consider this a wonderful part of France with the city of Bordeaux and the beautiful countryside that surrounds it.

Kit who is my neighbour introduced me to the BWC Ladies and I have since then enjoyed what the BWC has to offers us.