Earlier in September a group of members travelled to Birmingham to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of our Friendship Link club, SI Bromsgrove and Redditch. They enjoyed a warm welcome from the club members along with members of the German club, SI Neuss. A 60th birthday cake took pride of place and meals together were much enjoyed by all the visitors. A highlight of their visit was a day out spent at Forge Mill which has been preserved by the local council since the 1960s and is now an industrial museum.  

Logos Hope is renowned for being the world’s largest floating book fair. Launched in 2009, the ship carries a crew of 350 international volunteers who are dedicated to the vision of providing high quality literature, and sharing knowledge, help and hope throughout the world.http://www.gbaships.org

The use of ORANGE at our stalls to promote the UN’s campaign to ‘ORANGE THE WORLD’ and STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, was explained to many visitors on both days.

Partnering with Aberdeen Climate Action a group of members joined several volunteers including families with children on a beach clean in the Footdee area of Aberdeen. Several bags of litter were collected and tallies kept of specific litter items.

Among the exhibits were 19th century paintings of ‘Kitty of Frying Pan Alley’ showing a flower seller, The Embroidress , and an affluent Aberdonian wife, the painting called ‘The Ostrich Fan’. Early 20th century day clothes were also on display alongside a campaign poster for ‘Votes for Women’, and at Kelvingrove Gallery one member admired the Christ of St. John of the Cross painting by Salvador Dali. The Art of Empowerment ‘The turn of the 20th century saw dramatic changes in women’s social and political history. During this time there were also considerable changes in the way women were represented in and expressed themselves through art.’ (Aberdeen Art Gallery)

As part of the activities to mark the 90th Anniversary of Soroptimist International Scotland North Region members of SI Perth made 90 toilet bags to be distributed to other Scottish clubs. SI Aberdeen members donated a huge range of toiletries to fill our 20 bags. These were all gifted to Grampian Women's Aid.

Cervical Cancer Screening Awareness week (15th -21st June) is an opportunity to raise awareness of cervical screening tests offered to women aged 25 to 65  who live in Scotland. ‘Cervical screening (a smear test) is the best way to find out if someone is at risk of cervical cancer. It can stop cervical cancer before it starts.’ (Public Health Scotland) LANTERNS OF JUNE June lifts its lantern, clear and high and calls us out beneath the sky. As Soroptimists, we stand and say: Let knowledge light a kinder way.   We know that HPV can stay and sometimes quietly find its way, but screening sees the earliest sign before the shadows fully line.   So here’s to vaccines, wise and sure, for girls and boys a shield for sure, and here’s to every test and trace that gives prevention, time and grace.   So let

Soroptimist International’s theme for World Environment Day is ‘Women Leading Green Futures’  Climate change affects everyone but not equally. Women and girls are leading environmental action through education and community based initiatives, and Soroptimists are helping them to do so. Club members make small changes in their everyday lives to reduce their environmental impact by lessening  our carbon footprint, making changes to the ways we travel by car sharing and walking, by reusing where possible and recycling items e.g. card and paper, medicine blister packs, plastic, including soft plastics. We also  participate in local food and garden waste programmes.  

The day of our plant sale saw us welcome a new club member. It was a busy day selling a variety of plants as well as gardening books, plant pots and cards. Proceeds from the sale will go to local, national and international organisations to transform the lives of women and girls.

A DAY IN EASTER ROSS   Club members from the north of Scotland have met up for their quarterly meeting in Easter Ross. SI Aberdeen members were joined by members from SI Perth, SI Inverness and Nairn and SI Easter Ross. Everyone enjoyed  meeting up again, exchanging ideas and making plans for the region's 90th anniversary celebration at the end of June. As part of the Soroptimist Orange campaign to  Stop Violence against Women and Girls members had the opportunity to learn how to construct Origami butterflies which when open, show a campaign message. Easter Ross members did the demonstration and explained that they distribute the butterflies around their area where they can be accessed by other women.