Challenging year ahead for Soroptimist International Bradford
At SI Bradford’s recent AGM outgoing President, Canon Nora Whitham MBE, thanked members for their support over the past year and handed the chain of office to new President, Lynn Wiggan.
President Lynn has worked in a variety of educational settings since coming to Bradford in 1972 and is currently the Headteacher of a Bradford primary school. She has been a member of SI Bradford for ten years and this will be the second time she has served the club as President. After thanking Canon Nora for all her hard work over the past year, President Lynn went on to say that the plan for the next twelve months would be “coming together to work together”. Under the present economic conditions it made sense to consolidate and strengthen existing projects, and to spend time on each other … as well as having some fun!
SI Bradford’s projects include the Bradford Schools Drugs Prevention Initiative, the club was a founding organisation in the set up of this initiative: Project Mala where a child is supported in India with their wellbeing and education; Comfort Bags are made up with necessary toiletries and distributed to women in need and Friendship Links strengthen links with Soroptimist’s in other countries – especially Zimbabwe. A key initiative for Bradford is Project Sierra where all SI groups in the country are working to help young mothers, and children on the streets, by raising funds to help rebuild the social and physical infrastructures destroyed by over ten years of civil war.
Soroptimists International is a worldwide organisation for women in management and the professions, working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women. There are over 90,000 members in more than 3,000 clubs in 126 countries and territories. Soroptimists are women who use the special expertise and management skills developed in their working life to advance the status of women and make the world a better place. Membership offers the opportunity to work with like-minded women throughout the world for human rights for all, equality, development and peace.
SI Bradford is always keen to welcome new members. If anyone would like further information or is interested in attending an introductory meeting or social event please call Nora Whitham on 01274 487180 or email nora_whitham@hotmail.com.
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Image: Canon Nora Whitham MBE congratulates new SI Bradford President, Lynn Wiggan.