Born the eldest of five sisters in Minneapolis, Mary Kerwin said that superficially hers was an insular upbringing. Her grandfather was an immigrant from Norway. Her father was a Lutheran pastor and her mother a schoolteacher. "But while I was still very young, the Viking ancestry won out," she said. "I studied French at school, and learned elementary Norwegian with my family before a trip to Norway. Later, I attended a Norwegian Lutheran college, from which I graduated in 1977 with a B.Sc. nursing degree. I was always interested in travel and foreign places."

She grew up in Sioux City, Iowa, where her family often hosted African and Asian postgraduate students of the region's agricultural economy. Each influence stimulated her curiosity. In her career, Mary of the tranquil manner focused chiefly on cardiology and oncology. She worked in Arizona, where she met her husband, whose wanderlust matched her own. Mary was still nursing at the Northwestern University Dental School's Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery when her husband's employment took them both to Chicago. "From Chicago to New York City, and then the 'Great Leap' overseas to Wellington, New Zealand," Mary said.

That was 22 years ago, during which time she has not lived again in the U.S. She had waited patiently for her chance to travel, and when it came she was not disappointed. She made the most of every opportunity. She said, "In Wellington I expanded my career into marketing and sales, first with a local import company and later with ICI Pharmaceuticals." Mary's daughter, who was born in New Zealand, is now a delighted university student in Australia. "She has New Zealand citizenship, and calls herself a Kiwi," Mary said.

The family moved to Melbourne, where Mary's two sons were born. "We went back to New Zealand, then moved to Hong Kong and England. The people in the different countries were different from each other, but all were loyal and helpful," Mary said. "We came to Japan four years ago."

Japan meant Yokohama, and Yokohama meant the Yokohama International Women's Club. "In YIWC I met Japanese and non-Japanese women from many backgrounds and with many experiences, and learned about Japanese culture through special programs, excursions and classes," Mary said. "YIWC women speak English and as a group or as individuals they are dedicated to the happiness and well-being of one another, on both social and personal levels."

Mary became editor of the club's newsletter, and a board member. She learned that YIWC as a friendship club came into being in 1929, and after wartime interruption and loss of records regrouped in 1948. In 1955, when its membership numbered 30, YIWC instituted its Azalea Tea, designed as not only a social occasion but also as a charity fundraising event.

The Azalea Tea began as a garden tour. Yokohama still had many beautiful private houses, with residents willing to open their gardens on a day in May when the azaleas were in full bloom. The garden tour turned into bridge afternoons, then fashion shows, and musical and cultural programs. YIWC has held its Azalea Tea in different forms in an annual sequence. As programs and circumstances changed, the benefiting charities have also changed.

Today, YIWC has more than 150 members from more than 17 countries.

It is committed to providing continuing assistance to two children's homes and a home for the elderly, and to welfare and international community groups. Mary echoes the sentiment of YIWC members: "We are pleased to participate in the Yokohama community, and have great pleasure in helping with the lives of our Yokohama residents and those of need found overseas. YIWC has a history that has become a part of the city of Yokohama."

This year Mary is master of ceremonies of the Azalea Tea, which is scheduled for Thursday, April 20, from 11:30 a.m. at the Yokohama Grand InterContinental Hotel. Highlight of its program will be "Big Band Memories" performed by T. Iwasaki and his orchestra, a 16-piece big band. Mary said: "This is my chance not only to help with our fund raising, but also to do something for YIWC one last time before my family moves on later this year. I am really going to miss the YIWC network that exists here, and hope that in the States I will still be able to be part of it."