About our Club
Many people ask us “What is Soroptimism? Well the name Soroptimist was derived from the Latin soror meaning sister and optima meaning best. SOROPTIMIST is perhaps best interpreted as the ‘best for women’.
Soroptimist International (S.I.) is a worldwide organisation for women of all ages, cultures and ethnic groups, in management and the professions, working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women.
Our organisations strives for:
- the advancement of the status of women
- high ethical standards
- human rights for all
- equality, development and peace through international goodwill and understanding
Soroptimist International is committed to:
- service to Local, National and International communities
- active participation in decision making at all levels of society
A Soroptimist is a member of the world’s largest women’s organisation for community service and over the years members have taken an active part in local community activities. Each year the Club provides service and substantial donations to local, national and international projects. Although our primarily aim is not fundraising, often the best way was can help is with money and some of the local projects we have supported are the Amelia Trust Farm, new Breast Care Unit at Llandough Hospital, Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Alzheimer’s Society, Cancer Research UK Cymru, Diabetes Cymru, Gibbonsdowns Children’s Centre, Noah’s Ark Appeal, Vale Plus and many, many more.
Soroptimists have the uncanny knack of being able to turn service and fundraising into fun and friendship too. Through working together long established friendships are forged which not only strengthen the work of Soroptimist International but also the individual concerned.
Our Club is one of 20 Clubs in Wales South and was chartered in 1968. The Charter Dinner was held in the Memorial Hall, Barry on 13 January, 1968 and was attended by 150 Soroptimists. Club membership was 18 and has now increased to 39 members. We have built on the strong foundations laid by our founder members and we are fortunate that some of those founder members are still with us and committed to the ideals of Soroptimism.