Our members have been active in 2020 despite the restrictions imposed due to the pandemic. Socially distanced picnics when permitted, responded to the Christmas Child shoebox appeal, supported younger girls in the community including Girlguilding, members read the ‘Talking News’, marked International Women’s Day at the Peace Bridge, planted spring bulbs at the walled garden Bangor, supported International Women’s Development and Women’s Aid in Bangor. In addition, the group members actively supported one another throughout the challenging year; connected via Whatsapp daily messages and Zoom virtual club & committee meetings! News relating to wider women’s issues were posted on the club’s Facebook site.

BELIEVE TO ACHIEVE Soroptimist International Bangor join with sister Soroptimists throughout the world in Believe to Achieve. For 16 days of Activism from 25th November to 16th December each year Soroptimists celebrate progress towards women’s rights and a safe space for them to live. Soroptimist focus on transforming the lives of women and girls, locally, nationally and globally through education, empowerment and enabling initiatives by raising awareness, advocacy and action. By so doing Soroptimists make a difference to the lives of more than half a million women and girls in the world every year. The sixteen days of Activism are opportunities to create public awareness about what needs to change to prevent these events happening in the first place. It is known that human trafficking is happening every hour of every day both locally and globally. Women and girls fall into the hands of traffickers,

Club President:  Dr Joan Smyth CBE Hon. Secretary:  Mrs Carole Ingram Email: soroptimistbangor@outlook.com https://www.facebook.com/BangorSorop/