| 1983 |
A cadre of women at Dalhousie University School of Nursing lay plans to hold a women's health congress in 1984. |
| 1984 |
First International Congress on Women's Health Issues held in Halifax. Representatives from 10 countries vote to form a permanent Council. |
| 1986 |
Second International Congress held in Halifax. ICOWHI funds speakers from the Philippines and Tanzania resulting in a faculty educational partnership between Dalhousie University and Dar es Salaam Schools of Nursing. Slate of Officers installed. Bylaws Adopted. Health Care for Women International becomes official organ of the organization. |
| 1988 |
Tampa Florida site of Third Congress. Logo pin offered, acronym ICOWHI (eye-ko'-ee) adopted. Sheila Tlou, Ph.D. student from Botswana attends. |
| 1990 |
International scholars, gather at Massey University, New Zealand for the 4th ICOWHI. Congress sponsors the attendance of 300 Maori women. |
| 1991 |
First North American Regional Congress in Phoenix, Arizona. |
| 1992 |
Copenhagen and the 5th Congress. Nordic women swell audience to 500. First Congress Statement released. |
| 1993 |
Second North American Congress held in Toronto. |
| 1994 |
Botswana holds the 6th Congress, a first for Black Africa. President Tlou starts the first Master of Nursing Program in Black Africa in Gaborone. |
| 1995 |
North American Regional Congress in Galveston attracts international visitors. The Board votes to morph International and Regional Congresses. |
| 1996 |
ICOWHI goes to Thailand. Adolescent HIV/AIDS addressed. First Taylor & Francis Lectureship awarded to Isha Darmy Das of Sierra Leone. |
| 1997 |
Saskatoon Congress establishes scholarship at University of Saskatchewan. |
| 1998 |
ICOWHI goes to Alexandria, Egypt. Congress sponsors the attendance of 200 local women. Second Taylor & Francis Lectureship awarded to Earmporn Thronkrajai of Thailand. President Ferial Aly establishes Satellite ICOWHI for Middle Eastern Women. |
| 1999 |
Indianapolis, Indiana hosts the 10th Congress. Funding secured for 15 international speakers. First Grounded Theory Workshop. |
| 2000 |
San Francisco Congress gains sponsorship from University of California Regents. Xxxx of Thailand presents the Third Taylor & Francis Lecture. Second Grounded Theory Workshop held. |
| 2001 |
ICOWHI 11th Congress in Wilmington, North Carolina. International scholars appear on local TV. Wrap party wows representatives. |
| 2002 |
Seoul, Korea and the 12th Congress. Kyung Rim Shin becomes Associate Dean of Community Affaris for Ewah Womens University. Phyllis Stern steps down from 18 year role as Council General, and Afaf Meleis take the reins. Third Grounded Theory Workshop featured. |
| 2003 |
February: Board Retreat in Philadelphia: Strategic Plan in development. June: Victoria hosts 13th Congress. |
| 2004 |
ICOWHI 15th Congress in Sao Pedro, Brazil. The theme was "Women's Health, Culture & Society". This congress was combined with a Brazilian Midwifery Conference and over 500 scholars, clinicians, and students attended both the congress and the midwifery conference. Dr. Marli Villela Mamede assumed the presidency of ICOWHI from Dr. Kyung Rim Shin (president 2002-2004, convenor of the 12th congress in Korea). |
| 2006 |
ICOWHI 16th Congress in Sydney, Australia. The theme was "Many Roads to Travel: Social, Political, and Economic Implications of Women's Health". This well-recognized congress was combined with a very successful INDEN doctoral student workshop. Dr. Patricia Davidson assumed the presidency of ICOWHI from Dr. Marli Mamede (president 2004-2006, covenor of the 15th congress in Brazil). |
| 2008 |
ICOWHI 17th Congress in Gaborone, Botswana. The theme of this congress is "Women's Health Across the Life Span: The Girl Child, Safety, Health & Development" and will be co-sponsored by the University of Botswana. Dr. Nthabi Phaladze is the Congress Chair. |
| 2010 |
2010 ICOWHI 18th Congress in Philadelphia, PA. The theme of this congress was "Cities and Women' s Health: Global Perspectives" and was co-sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania. Drs. Afaf Meleis and Eugenie Birch were the Congress Chairs. Dr. Patricia Davidson assumed the Council Generalship from Dr. Afaf Meleis (Council General 2002-2010). |