through friendship.
From the 2024 - 2025 President
January, 2024
Dear Friends and fellow TBI Members,
As this new year and as my term as president of TBI begins, let me first wish all of you a very Happy New Year. I hope 2024 is filled with happiness and good health for you and your families.
It has truly been my pleasure to be a member of TBI for the past nine years or so. I love this club. TBI has given me the opportunity to make new friendships and reinforce old friendships that I will treasure forever. My wish for all of you, old and new members alike, is that you all have that same experience. I and the board will do everything we can to ensure that happens. Of course, it can only happen if you participate. I guarantee that the more involved you are, the more you will love this club and your TBI friends.
I look forward to seeing you often in 2024!!
Happy New Year
Mary Goiran
TBI President
History of Tampa Bay International (TBI) Club
Tampa Bay International (TBI) started as Welcome to Tampa Bay International (WTBI) club; an affiliate of Welcome Clubs International (WCI). WCI originated in Washington DC 25+ years ago to address and support the many spouses of US-based international officials who often returned to their respective countries after their US residency without ever having made American friends. Affiliated clubs have appeared in many cities throughout the US and abroad.
Our founder Padmini Durr was a longtime member of the Welcome to Denver International Club. After moving to the Tampa Bay area with her husband, she wanted to establish a local women’s club with an international framework and created Welcome to Tampa Bay International.
Our club has grown significantly under the leadership of several presidents. As we grew larger, we changed our focus to the Tampa Bay area and changed our name to Tampa Bay International, or TBI.
10 Year Anniversary Video
"As a founder of this club, my message and wish for the 10th anniversary of our club is very simple. I would like that our club grows with the goal of developing friendship and cooperation among women of all nations and together promoting our Tampa Bay area, our current home.
As I have lived and traveled in many countries, my best memories are those related to the direct contacts I had made with local women who had opened their homes and hearts to us. International Women’s club in Geneva and Chicago, “Cross-Roads” in Chicago, “Sister Cities International” and Genevieve Fiore’s “UNESCO Chapter” in Denver, were all International friendship clubs that had inspired me. I found that beyond traditions, religions and customs, we all are sisters and should look out for each other."