IWCB Spring Soiree fashion show 2024 and my besties from the club modeling the La Rena collection. (source: Courtesy of the International Women's Club of Bratislava)
In my series Shining Spotlight, I often talk to various members of the International Women’s Club (IWCB) about their intriguing activities and club initiatives. This time, I’ve decided to share my own insights on my journey within the IWCB.
I’m a Slovak American, a product of two worlds, born in Slovakia and shaped by the vibrant energy of the United States. My life has been a tapestry woven with threads from New York, Los Angeles, Singapore, Hong Kong, and now Europe. For the past three years, I’ve found a unique home within the IWCB, serving as Charity Coordinator, Vice President, and Fundraising Coordinator.
Site visit with my friends from the IWCB Charity Committee at an NGO we have supported. (source: Archive of Eva Staronova)
Leading diverse charitable and cultural events, like our annual Spring Soiree featuring performances, art exhibits, and fashion shows, as well as last year’s Christmas Bazaar, has been a joy. What truly fills my heart are the community help events and donation drives for crisis centers and children homes.
Interacting with the diverse international women in our club, many of whom I now call friends, has deepened my reflection on the essence of home and belonging.
‘Home is where the heart is,’ reads one of my kitchen towels that has followed me everywhere. For me, it’s the loved ones that make you feel at home – family, friends, and the community we create. We must build our village wherever life takes us. It’s the culture within us that defines us, not geographic location or passports.
IWCB Charity Concert with our member, soprano Julia Radosz. (source: Archive of Eva Staronova)
Belonging is an emotion, a feeling of connectedness that transcends borders and languages. It’s the warmth of shared laughter, the comfort of familiar faces, and the unspoken understanding among those who have journeyed far from their roots. In this global dance, I am a hybrid –a fusion of Slovak authenticity, the American Dream, and the richness of Asian cuisine and traditions.
Everywhere I go, I carry pieces of these cultures within me, creating a unique mosaic that reflects my journey. Serving the IWCB is my tribute to this beautiful amalgamation. It’s my way of honoring the multitude of cultures and communities that have shaped me, and of contributing to a world where everyone can find a sense of belonging, no matter where they are.
IWCB Spring Soiree 2023 at the Slovenská Pošta ballroom. (source: Archive of Eva Staronova)
In the end, home isn’t a place –it’s a feeling. It’s the love and connections we cultivate, the memories we create, and the shared experiences that make us feel alive. This is the essence of my journey, and it’s a journey I am proud to share with my fellow members of the IWCB. With a grateful heart.
Eva Staronova is a founder of a non-profit cultural and educational exchange organization in New York, NY, and an entrepreneur in the natural product industry with her company based in Los Angeles, CA. She is also a board member and Fundraising Coordinator of the International Women’s Club of Bratislava.
