On the 12th April 1954 a group of women met at the Gas Showrooms in Cannock – this was the initial meeting of what was to become Soroptimist International, Cannock and District. On the 15th April 2014, Dr Janis Lomas was presented with the President’s chain of office by outgoing team President Pam McGauley, and so began the club’s 60th anniversary year.
Members are excited about the Diamond Celebratory year when they hope to meet up with many past friends and members whilst fulfilling the Soroptimist goal of providing help and support to women and girls locally and throughout the world.
The club has decided to focus on the UK flagship project – Violence Against Women – Stop It Now [VAWSIN] and will be involved in fund raising events, lobbying and events to raise awareness not only of club members but also members of the public. They intend to support Staffordshire Women’s Aid and Pathway locally, to raise awareness of issues such as FGM [Female Genital Mutilation] and Endometriosis and to continue their support of St Giles Hospice and the Soup Kitchen in Mill Street.
Information about meetings and events can be found on their web pages: www.sigbi.org/cannock-and-district and members will be pleased to hear from anyone interested in joining them for an event, a meeting or with a view to membership
They are particularly looking forward to their Summer Celebration to be held this year on Sunday 13th July at Ingestre Hall when Notty Hornblower of The Hope Costume Museum, Derby, will present a cavalcade of fashions [all originals] from the last 60 years. Guests will be welcomed by a glass of bubbly and will enjoy a scrumptious afternoon tea. Tickets for this event are £22.00 and are available from any member of SI Cannock & District or by phoning Soroptimist Betty Morgan on 01543 573650
Photo attached: Dr Janis Lomas, President, SI Cannock & District with outgoing team President Pam McGauley