When I founded the Joy Luck Club in 2002, I had no idea how complicated the relationship between the United States, Taiwan and China would become, nor did I know how important a role the women of the world would play in bringing understanding and international cooperation between the nations of the world. Our first honoree, in 2002, Anna Chennault played a major role in strengthening the relationship between the United States and China. She was an advisor to several American presidents from Kennedy forward. Her husband was an American general who helped to repel the Japanese Air Force from China during WWII. There are shrines to his honor in China and we have visited them. Anna died in 2018. Anna’s absence from the world stage is particularly troubling at this moment when the tension between these two great nations is greater than at any time since Jimmy Carter established formal relations with China in 1979. The efforts of international women’s groups to bridge gaps between cultures and philosophies is, in my opinion, a key to the survival of humanity. Our little group will continue to do it small part. Tolstoy's conclusion is still sound: add your light to the sum of light. That is all we can do. Welcome to the Joy Luck Club. When I reached out to Amy Tan after we started this non-profit, she was very gracious and supportive and her life and work are an inspiration. We hope to honor her at an event in the not too distant future.