The International Center of Worcester was founded in 1963 by Betty Knight, Warren Lane, and Marie Peterson.

The International Center of Worcester (ICW) was founded when a group of concerned women wanted to assist wives and families of international doctors and scientists at the Foundation for Experimental Biology in nearby Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. ICW was incorporated in 1963 with support from the local Rotary Club, Junior League, and YWCA. It helped families adapt to life in the United States by offering language classes, women’s programs, orientations, and social events. The Center quickly expanded to address the needs of international students attending the ten nearby colleges.

ICW developed a reputation for its willingness to serve as a resource for anything international in the Worcester area. In the late 1970s it joined the COSERV network, serving participants in the International Visitor Program of the U.S. Department of State. Located at Clark University since 1985, it operates from office space donated by the College of Professional and Continuing Education (www.copace.clarku.edu). ICW merged in 1998 with the Pushkin Sister City project to consolidate the city’s international outreach efforts.  ICW continues to fulfil its mission by participating in various exchange programs and providing its members and the Worcester community with opportunities for Citizen Diplomacy. 

Lifelong Volunteers

Robert and Hildegard Armstrong, Margareta Berg, Jean Bolz, Robert Booth, Guy Burr, Jr., Ann Castillo, David and Elizabeth Dean, Marjorie Deitz, Warner and Mary Fletcher, Howard and Esther Freeman, Mrs. Milton Higgins, Beverly Hobbs, Mary Ann Horner, Sona Husisian, Nancy Kimball, Chester and Ann Kulisa, Richard and Anna Kung, Warren Lane, Jr., Banadakoppa and Yamuna Lingappa, Jean Nader, Carl and Mary Paulson, and Manny and Charlotte Zax.