As part of our aims to be involved in the local community and to engage in projects that empower women and girls, we are delighted to say that two notable women in BCP have accepted our invitation to become honorary members for the year.
Councillor Lesley Dedman, Chair of BCP Council, has many years of leading roles in the town having served on the council and as Mayor for five terms. Now elected to the Chairmanship of BCP Council, Lesley considers this role of huge importance, being the public face of a mainly anonymous body, and giving a wonderful opportunity to promote the hard work carried out by the council for the people of the area. Lesley will be awarding the prizes to the successful students at our art exhibition for the ’16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’ for the second time in December 2024. She will also be joining our Christmas meeting to learn more about us and to socialise at this festive time of year.
Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth West, was elected at the 2024 general election serving as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. She is one of only four women to represent parliamentary constituencies in Dorset and has expressed interest in learning more about Soroptimism. Jessica will be attending our meeting in February 2025 to talk about her role, women’s issues at Westminster and to share her thoughts on how we might work together.
Two very strong and impressive women- great news!
If you are interested in this and would like to come along to a Soroptimist International Bournemouth meeting to find out more, please email us at sigbibournemouth@hotmail.co.uk.