HAVE A CUP OF JOE WITH JOE – The Italian Women’s Club Giovanni Caboto . . . 95 Years Of Charity & Community Support
Southwestern Ontario’s largest and oldest Italian club, the Giovanni Caboto Club, is also a premier facility for special events, celebrations, and corporate functions in the Windsor and Essex County region.
According to the Caboto Club website home page: “Since its beginning in 1925, the Giovanni Caboto Club has continuously committed to a level of excellence that remains unsurpassed by others.”
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the club held a Banquet Dinner for their members on February 1, 2025. A second 100th anniversary Gala Dinner is set to take place on November 1, 2025, which is open to the
public (check the Caboto Club’s website for more details in the near future).
In addition to this milestone event, the Italian Women’s Club, Giovanni Caboto (I.W.C. G. Caboto) is also celebrating a big anniversary as a club — 95 years to be exact.
It was established in 1930 to provide a social outlet for foreign-born women and to assist newcomers to feel at home and connected with the local community.
Teresa Oldani was elected its first president and it quickly became an integral part of the main club and, when needed, collaborated with the men’s organization in providing social, recreational, and educational
programs.
Throughout their 95 year history, the club’s name changed to reflect the times. In 1946 the club became known officially as the G. Caboto Auxiliary and today it is called the Italian Women’s Club, G. Caboto.
It is a social club with a membership of over 300. Membership is open to women of Italian birth or descent who are 18 years of age or older, or non-Italian women married to an Italian husband.
The club is under the direction of a 16-member executive, elected for two-year terms, consisting of: President, Vice- President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, English Recording Secretary, Italian Recording
Secretary, IT Correspondence, Past President, and eight Councillors who function as Committee Heads organizing various events.
The executive meets monthly and also meets again each month with the general membership, sometimes with a dinner.
All meetings follow the procedures of Robert’s Rules of Order. The current President is Santina Ferrara who joined the club in 1980 and was first elected president from 1992 to 1994. Since then, she has
held the position of president eight separate times.
Ferrara points out the I.W.C. G. Caboto assists the men’s club of the Caboto Club, when called upon, with events and charities.
She continues by stating: “In the past years, the I.W.C. G. Caboto has itself donated to many local charities through funds raised by our social events, like fashion shows, murder mystery dinners, special themed
dinners, etc.”
Here is just a sampling of the charitable groups and organizations they have helped over the years: (1995) $7,000 to Malden Park Continuing Care Centre and a further $10,000 over a five-year period to support
their chronic care facility; (2004) $7,500 to the Windsor Regional Hospital’s Digital Mammography Fund; (2022) $3,000 to the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre; (2023) $4,000 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities-SWO Windsor House and (2024) $5,000 to Childcan.
In addition, at the 2024 Christmas Dinner Meeting, I.W.C. G. Caboto members brought donations of food and personal products for the Windsor food banks, which were delivered to Divine Mercy Food Bank and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
The I.W.C. G. Caboto schedules events throughout the year, from which funds raised are donated to area charitable organizations.
Last year, the social events presented by the women’s club included fashion shows, special dinners, and Murder Mystery Comedy Shows (including a dinner) presented by Windsor’s most sought after and
talented actor, Michelle Mainwaring.
I asked Mainwaring about these shows and she informed me: “For the past several years my talented cast and I have had the distinct pleasure of performing our Murder Mystery Comedy Shows for the Italian Women’s Club, G. Caboto, as well as our new Wedding Comedy experience. The shows are always well attended and so much fun. We are grateful to be able to partner with the amazing Italian Women’s Club, G. Caboto, and I wish them the absolute best on their 95th anniversary!” (Michelle can be found on Facebook under “Murder Mystery, Comedy and More For Hire!”)
Thus far into 2025, the I.W.C. G. Caboto has hosted a Polenta Luncheon — Italian Tradition, on January 26; they followed this up with A Very Valentino Wedding Comedy Dinner Show by Mainwaring and cast, on
February 14.
On Thursday, May 29, a Ladies Night Out Fashion Show will take place, and is open to the public. The members are currently busy, filling in the remaining months of 2025 with future exciting events (again check their website get the latest updates).
Before the fashion show, on April 27, 2025, the I.W.C. G. Caboto celebrates its 95th anniversary with a private special luncheon for members and their spouses. Norm Ackland Jr., Windsor’s premiere Elvis Tribute Artist, will entertain and spin some dance tunes for the attendees. (Please note this is not open to the public.)
Biz X magazine congratulates the women’s club and echoes the words of Robert Brait, Giovanni Caboto Club President of the Board of Directors: “The Giovanni Caboto Club would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the I.W. C. G. Caboto on its 95th anniversary. The Caboto Club is proud of our 95-year association with the I.W.C. G. Caboto. We applaud the organization for their continued support of charitable organizations within the Windsor and Essex County community and wish them well with their future endeavours. We look forward to celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2030.”
Congratulazione care socie!
