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Soroptimist International Norwich

Soroptimist International of Norwich is part of a worldwide organisation of women, which is linked to the United Nations.

Welcome to SI Norwich

   

Please contact us now and find out what a supportive group we can be.

Email: Norwichsoroptimist@outlook.com  Or Via  Facebook SI Norwich

Do you want to make a difference?

Are you a woman who…

  • would like to network, have fun, socialise and make friends too?
  • is interested in topics and talks, learning new things and raising funds for local groups and national campaigns?
  • cares about helping other women and girls have access to learning opportunities, better health care and a more secure life?
  • would work and lobby for women’s rights at home and around the world?
  • would like to make friendship links with other groups, both nationally and internationally, and visit for events or behind the scene tours of their countries/ areas?

Come along to meet your local Soroptimists and find out who they are…

We have changed  our meeting place and time of meeting

Meetings will be on Monday afternoons from 2.30 to 4.30 on 1st and 3rd Monday each month

on the second floor of the Forum, Millennium Library:Business Centre  2nd Floor    Norwich NR2 1TF

Speaker meetings will be on the first Monday of the month, with Business meetings on the third Monday.

  • 1st  Speaker meeting Meeting  of 2024  will be­ Monday  5th February

In addition weekly  Zoom meetings will continue

Millennium Library  :   2nd floor meeting room

 

Fundraiser on Saturday  16th March 2024

see under        What we do

A secret garden  ?   Come and hear its history

 

 

If you are a woman in Norwich or Norfolk and want to find out more then please contact us at norwichsoroptimist@outlook.com or  Via Facebook SI Norwich 

 

Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI)

89th Annual Conference 3and 4th November 2023 :1,000 women meeting in London

2024 is our 90th year and we will celebrate it in Edinburgh in November

 

 

 

Soroptimist International Convention July 2023  in Dublin: 1,800 women from all over the world met to discuss issues affecting  women and girls

SI Convention Dublin 2023

 

Soroptimist from Norfolk at  Convention 2023

International Women’s Day  2023

1) on Sat March 11th 2pm our Club will have a fund raiser at the Octagon,St Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich.

         Speakers from Rosie’s Plaques   will come and describe their work….

         (connects with women’s issues in  respect of getting recognition for women in our community)

rosies plaques.com   

plus coffee and cake !

Tickets  in advance £10 from

email:Norwichsoroptimist@outlook.com

or ring      01603 629557 

     

 

        2) on  Sat March 4th at 13.30 there will be a Webinar with some interesting speakers

          for International Women’s Day. It has been arranged by our Federation and the theme

           is one some of us are grappling with ……. use of IT.

          You just have to sign up for it on line to join the session and it is free. 

        Register now:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqdeuupz0tHdweFOwRFrCSeZe2y38HjUkG

 

An interesting and Informative day                                                             

Siobhan and Maggie explaining their work

                   

Says it all !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021

London Anglia Region

In 2021  Soroptimists from King’s Lynn to Southend on Sea at last met to

celebrate the 50th Anniversary of London Anglia Region

So 50 members came for an AGM and celebration Lunch on 7th August 2021

in  Newnham College , Cambridge  plus

Cake and Prosecco ……The Cake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not just  two presidents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But three:

Regional President Mell , Federation President Elect Cathy and President Elect Sharon

Sorting out Cathy’s regalia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Centenary Tree for Norwich

On 15th July 2021  .The Lord Mayor Kevin Maguire and Sheriff  Caroline Jarrold accepted the tree on behalf of Norwich City at a ceremony in Elm Hill Gardens and celebrated with us  Soroptimist International’s Centenary.

The Paulownia ( foxglove tree) now stands in the gardens of one of the historical areas of Norwich to be enjoyed by citizens, walkers by the river and visitors

Hopefully in early spring in the next year or two it will provide lovely lilac/purple flowers for passers by to enjoy

Our tree in a few years !

 

Centenary tree; gift to Norwich City :planted under Covid 19 restrictions in Spring 2021

 

 

 

 

April 2021

Marking the SI  Centenary year the club has linked with Norwich Castle.

The Castle is being refurbished and has a sponsorship scheme “Adopt an Object”

https://www.adoptanobject.co.uk/

We have sponsored two objects related to women which will go on display in 2022.

Silver Seal matrix      (2.8×2.3 cms)

DE LEAL AMOR IEO SVY FLOVR I am the flower of the true love says the inscription on this exquisite seal matrix from the 14th century. Decorated with a beautiful female figure wearing elegant dress, this would have been the personal object of a high-status lady. She would have used it to seal her own correspondence. A symbol of her power, individuality and literacy perhaps? What a way to mark your letters! Whether a wonderful gift for the prolific writer, a romantic gift to a loved one, or a symbol of your own authority, this seal matrix is perfect for you.

 

The inscription will read :“To mark the Centenary of Soroptimist International – the women’s service organisation ”

Caister Pilgrim Badge   (3.9×2.1 cms)    made of lead.

 

Richard Caister was a renowned priest and poet whose reputation inspired thousands of medieval pilgrims to visit his tomb at St Stephens Church, Norwich. As vicar of St Stephens, he wrote and preached in English, much like contemporaries Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe. He defended Margery when she was accused of heresy, open to the idea that God may inspire a woman. It was likely Margery who encouraged the first pilgrimages to his tomb, which became a shrine attracting pilgrims from all over England. Retrace their steps by adopting this badge, found at the Globe Theatre in London, and celebrate the 6th centenary of his death in 2020. This object would be a perfect gift for someone undertaking or preparing for a journey, spiritual or otherwise.

 

The inscription will read:

“Soroptimists support women and the badge links to great women like Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe. ”

 

 

 

Easter 2021

100 for 100   –    Its Soroptimist International ‘s Centenary

SI Norwich took up the 100 for 100 challenge  
by knitting Easter chicks filled with a chocolate egg.
During lockdown we have been supporting  a local Primary School
and will deliver them as a treat  before Easter.
The idea came from  watching Margaret Cook knitting chicks on our regular Zoom
 with our  Friendship link SI Ilkley .

 

International  Women’s Day 2021—–8th March

Zoom meeting with WI, NOPF, Victim Support

 

IWD 2020