Soroptimists flying the white balloon for International Women’s Day

Soroptimists from London Anglia joined a 50-strong contingent of members who marked International Women’s Day 2012 in London. Nearly two thousand women from dozens of organisations marched across the Millennium Bridge, along the Embankment and back over the Thames to the Southbank Centre for speeches and celebrations organised by Women for Women International UK.

London Anglia’s Regional President Heather Knott, Immediate Past President Jean Thorpe, SI Chelmsford’s President Laura Logan Wood and Regional Communications Officer, Margaret Hyde were carrying the flag, or rather, biodegradable white balloons along with hundreds of others in a parade a quarter of a mile long which sang and chanted along the route.

A live broadcast capturing the atmosphere of the occasion was made in Dave Monk’s morning programme on BBC Essex just before they set off from the Tate Modern.

Supporters started arriving just after 10am on what was a bright day with a cool breeze, and got stuck into banner making, face painting and making new friends.

Among Soroptimist well-known faces were International Programme Director, Hilary Ratfcliffe, SIGBI Director of Communications, Jane Slatter and APD Violence and Conflct Resolution, Jackie Paling.

Among the celebrities leading the march and speeches at Festival Hall ballroom were Bianca Jagger, Cherie Blair, Kate Smurthwaite, Pattie Boulaye, Helen and Laura Pankhurst and Wunmi Mosaku. Braving a sea of females to make a speech was one lone male – Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development.

President Heather said afterwards, “It was a marvellous coming together of women with common causes. The speeches were really uplifting and it was all well-organised. I really hope other Soroptimists in our region will make the effort to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March next year”

Margaret Hyde