Skip links

They came and enjoyed the (fundraising) Cabaret!

They came and enjoyed the (fundraising) Cabaret!

in

In its long history, Glasgow’s Merchants’ House may have hosted many a tea party but Saturday’s Soroptimist Matinee Cabaret Fundraiser for Mary’s Meals must surely be unique. More than one hundred guests were welcomed to the event by President of SI Glasgow City, Myrtle Peterkin. Elegant and eloquent as ever, she outlined Soroptimist principles and reminded the gathering that the event was in aid of Mary’s Meals for their continued services in providing a daily meal, in schools, to 1.3 million children in 17 of the world’s poorest countries. The entertainment was given by husband and wife team Gordon Cree and Cheryl Forbes, both outstanding soloists, whose powerful voices filled The Grand Hall with favourite melodies from musical shows, traditional refrains and comic songs performed with evident enjoyment to the delight of the audience. While our talented duo took a break, guests enjoyed a chat

Soroptimist 3S Trust recipient shares her experiences in Nepal with Raleigh International

Soroptimist 3S Trust recipient shares her experiences in Nepal with Raleigh International

in

Following receipt of some funding from the Soroptimist 3S Fund, Rhona travelled to Nepal earlier in 2018 with Raleigh International, where Rhona and fellow students were responsible for digging and creating new latrines for a remote mountain village. Rhona now classes as ‘digging’ as an accomplished skill!! The students also taught the villagers about general hygiene, while Rhona and the other female students taught the women and girls about hygiene during menstruation including the making of re-useable sanitary pads.   The second part of the trip was a trek through the Nepalese Himalyas. Rhona found the whole experience extremely rewarding and humbling. The villagers in Nepal had little choice in what food they could eat, the clothes they could wear and what work they would undertake. When Rhona returned home to Scotland she was overwhelmed with all the choices in her day to day life,

SI Glasgow City members learn about Cahira House

SI Glasgow City members learn about Cahira House

in

Aileen spoke with members about Cahira House, a safe refuge for women who have experienced sexual exploitation. The charity is based in the Central Belt of Scotland and provides residential accommodation for around 6 women, along with support services such as counselling.   Cahira is an Irish word meaning ‘warrior’, which is how the staff and volunteers view the women who live at Cahira House as they have had to ‘fight’ to survive. The organisation receives no government funding and is supported mainly by donations.

SI Glasgow City members support Glasgow based food bank

SI Glasgow City members support Glasgow based food bank

in

In October to support the UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty  Club members donated food items to a foodbank in Northwest Glasgow. The total weight of the donations was 42kgs, which would provide 46 meals. At the Club meeting, members discussed some questions related to poverty internationally, nationally and within Glasgow. The members were shocked to hear that in 2017 it was estimated that one in three children in Glasgow were living in poverty.

SI Glasgow City members attended recent Lord Provost of Glasgow’s coffee morning in support of Macmillan Cancer Support

SI Glasgow City members attended recent Lord Provost of Glasgow’s coffee morning in support of Macmillan Cancer Support

in

Some members of SI Glasgow City recently attended the Lord Provost of Glasgow’s coffee morning to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. The September event, which is the month that Macmillan Cancer Support encourage us to support the ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ was held in the awe inspiring Glasgow City Chambers. Club members and other attendees were entertained by the Byres Road Big Band and a fashion show by Marks and Spencer while enjoying beverages, scones and cakes. Two members were successful in the raffle, receiving a bouquet of flowers and a voucher for John Lewis. At the end of the event the Lord Provost, Councillor Eva Bolander announced that £4500 had been raised.

Tree dedication in Pollok Park to celebrate 90 years of Soroptimists in Glasgow

Tree dedication in Pollok Park to celebrate 90 years of Soroptimists in Glasgow

in

During the summer months, Glasgow City Council gifted a tree to celebrate 90 years of Soroptimists in Glasgow. Two previous trees had been gifted for significant birthdays but unfortunately they did not survive, one due to vandalism and the other died. As this lovely tulip tree is now mature we hope that this tree will survive for Glasgow Soroptimists to celebrate 100 years. The tree is located in Pollok Park near the National Trust of Scotland’s property Pollok House in Glasgow and a plaque detailing the reason for the dedication has been sited at the base of the tree. Members enjoyed viewing the tulip tree on a dry sunny Saturday in August.

Glasgow’s Lord Provost , Eva Bolander, welcomes President Myrtle and Club member Frances to the City Chambers

Glasgow’s Lord Provost , Eva Bolander, welcomes President Myrtle and Club member Frances to the City Chambers

in

President Myrtle and Club member Frances met with the Lord Provost of Glasgow on Wednesday 6th June for an informal chat about the contribution that our Club has made, and continues to make, to many aspects of life in Glasgow. If you would like to learn more about our Club, please visit the Our Club page or contact us.  

Members of SI Glasgow City take part in a Walk to mark World Environment Day 2018

Members of SI Glasgow City take part in a Walk to mark World Environment Day 2018

in

On Sunday 10th June, members of SI Glasgow City took part in an organised walk in the West End of Glasgow to raise awareness  of  World Environment Day 2018. They were joined on the walk by family, friends, members of the SI Paisley Club and Glasgow members Sheena and Annie’s dogs! The mile long walk mapped out by Moira Ord, one of our Club’s Programme Action Convenors, wound its way through leafy Kelvingrove Park, along Kelvin Way, University Avenue, Byres Road and ended at  the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. As they walked, participants collected litter, filling several large bin bags in the process. Walkers wore the Suffragette colours, white, green and violet, in support of the marches in the UK’s 4 Capital Cities, commemorating the centenary of the granting of the vote to some women, which were also taking place on that Sunday and

Courage Calls to Courage

Courage Calls to Courage

in

On a recent visit to London Glasgow City Soroptimist members took advantage of the opportunity to photograph the newly unveiled statue of Millicent Garrett Fawcett in Parliament Square, as well as the  much older statue of Edith Cavell, opposite the National Portrait Gallery near Trafalgar Square. Two incredible women, both courageous, but in different ways. Edith Cavell saved the lives of many wounded soldiers of both sides in WWI and  was executed by the Germans in 1915 for  assisting allied soldiers to escape from occupied Belgium. Millicent Garrett Fawcett was a prominent Suffragist for women’s right to vote in the early years of the 20th century and was leader of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies. It was a time for courageous women: a third photograph was taken in Govan, Glasgow, of the recently unveiled statue commemorating the role played by Mary Barbour in

Club members respond to Urgent request from Neonatal Unit

Club members respond to Urgent request from Neonatal Unit

in

SI Glasgow City Club members were uniquely placed to respond to an urgent request from the Neonatal Unit of a local Maternity Hospital for woolen caps for premature babies following the loss of most of its woolen garments in a flood in its laundry room. Club members regularly supply another Neonatal Unit with these tiny  woolen caps, so when President Myrtle alerted members to the Urgent Appeal, they could help immediately. Within 36 hours, Club member Christine visited the Neonatal Unit and presented them with a gift of 35 woolen caps from the Club. The present was gratefully received and a letter of thanks has since been received by Secretary Liz. The picture shows the caps before they were despatched to the Neonatal Unit.