Soroptimist International is committed to a world where women and girls together achieve their individual and collective potential and have an equal voice in creating strong and peaceful communities. Please join us to recognise those women who have advanced and supported the role of women in our community – whether it is through education, charity or by example by sending us your nomination. The criteria for the award are: • A nominated woman should live, work or have been born in the area covered by the Canterbury City Council Administrative Boundaries Information (canterbury.gov.uk) Postal codes: CT1, CT2, CT3 and CT4 • A woman can be nominated for her contribution to the community, to improving the role of women, showing personal courage or outstanding professional achievement. In putting forward a nomination the following points might be helpful Has the woman you are putting forward for nomination:

As part of the United Nations 16Days of Activism against gender based violence and domestic abuse, this year’s Silent March was bigger than ever. Past, Present and Future members of SI Canterbury were joined by our Regional President, members of SI Folkestone, SI Tunbridge Wells, SI Whitstable & District, SI Bromley, SI East Grinstead, East Kent Federation of Women’s Institutes, The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Maya’s Community Support Centre, Catching Lives, The Westgate Hall, Canterbury Diocese Mothers’ Union, Canterbury Welcomes Refugees, Canterbury City Council, The Rising Sun, The Women’s Equality Party, Rev. Wendy Dalrympol, men, women and children. We marched in solidarity with women all across the globe against violence towards women and girls. Something profound Something profound happened in Canterbury on the morning of Saturday, November 30th, 2024. A dry, mild day it was for early Christmas shoppers. And thankfully for the homeless

            SI Canterbury hosted a Macmillan Coffee morning to raise money for people living with cancer on Friday 27th September. Thank you to everyone who came for a cuppa and a chat. We raised £184.50. We will be holding the event again next year!

Canterbury Soroptimists choose new project. At the recent Canterbury Soroptimists’ Reflections Day, we discussed what we have been doing over the last year, our on-going work, and proposals for possible new projects to focus on in the coming year. We wanted something that would build on work we are already doing, would involve all our members, in an activity of individual choice, linked by a common theme, and at a level of time and energy that people’s busy schedules allow. We chose a project on biodiversity. We are in an exceptional era when climate change, loss of habitat, over hunting and fishing, air/water/light/noise and earth pollution, along with other factors, are causing huge losses in the diversity and abundance of our planet earth’s essential flora and fauna. Although the current situation seems daunting, we have decided on a three-phase project to parallel the efforts of

International Women’s Day 2024 proved to be a busy one! Celebrations started with Breakfast at the Westgate Hall with an inspiring talk by Joyologist Donna Easton. Everyone was treated to a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere with time to chat and partake in refreshment. Various members then volunteered their time throughout the day to support local women. Activities included a craft session at The Refuge, supporting The Rising Sun staff at their awareness & fundraising  stall in M&S, and an open house, coffee, chat & cake fundraiser.

Next Orange Cafe – Date and Venue to be announced shortly . . .  You’re in a café and you see a group of women wearing orange… If it’s the 25th of the month, you can be sure they aren’t wearing a company uniform or this season’s top fashion colour.  They are drawing attention to the urgent need to end violence against women and girls. Why not join the group and find out more?  We are keeping a place for you!  

An afternoon with Patricia Mohony, Jamie Moore and our very own Tessa Woodward. ‘Encounters’ kept us entertained and amused.  This week long Festival boasts an eclectic programme to entertain, support charities, work with young people and bring people together  

27th January members of SI Canterbury remember the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution.