Club members have continued to drop off non perishable items for the Instant Neighbour foodbank throughout lockdown. Members also agreed to give a donation to allow the charity to buy the items most needed. Here are some of the items that were bought with our donation.

  Good luck for the year ahead ladies!

  #IWD2021 #ChooseToChallenge

  Snowy weather causing the disappearance of our Soroptimist logo! Hopefully the children sledging down the slope won’t damage the spring growth too much. Club members are already planning the summer display to celebrate the centennial of Soroptimist International.

The “Giving Jar”                                                            Pat handing over cheque to Grampian Women’s Aid

Soroptimists in Aberdeen have been raising awareness of the 16 Days of Activism against gender based violence. From 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10th December, International Human Rights Day, women across the world take action and raise awareness. The colour orange symbolises a brighter future, free of violence.

                                                       In her recent talk to club members Dr Astrid Whyte, the Chief Executive of the charity Mental Health Aberdeen, gave club members an insight into the work of its highly trained counsellors and volunteers who provide support programmes for a wide range of clients including young people. She also gave advice on ways of identifying and dealing with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on our lives. The charity which has been established for seventy years and has a reach beyond Aberdeen city into the shire receives no government support and relies solely on grants and donations. A valuable local service SI Aberdeen are proud to have been supporting during this difficult year. http://www.mha.uk.net

More congratulations to another two of our long serving members, Audrey Masson and Marjory Smart. Audrey (on the right) has completed 30 years as a soroptimist and has held many roles locally, at region and also nationally. She is a fount of knowledge about the organisation and a magnificent knitter, always having some charity knitting project on the go. Those hands are never still!     Marjory (on the left) has been a member of SI Aberdeen for 25 years. An excellent cook and baker, she has just completed 18 months as Ambassador for the SIGBI project Empowering Girls in Nepal. Audrey and Marjory received their long service awards (socially distanced) in President Janice's lovely garden.

Our first ever virtual conference. Excellent and inspiring speakers, and a variety of ways to enjoy the proceedings from home.

Congratulations to our member Dorothy McKay who has been a member of SI Aberdeen for 20 years. Here she is receiving her certificate from President Janice. Dorothy is currently a member of our media group and at the moment is compiling an updated history of the club from its beginnings in 1929. Look out for this appearing on the website soon!