President Pat Shore and Harrogate and District Soroptimist’s were delighted to welcome people to the Wesley Chapel in Harrogate to celebrate International Women’s Day. Jennie Levick, Soroptimist International Yorkshire President, welcomed everyone, with a reminder that this date, is one which has been marked across the world since 1908, as an opportunity to join hands together to celebrate the achievements of women. Stating that ‘130 million girls across the world didn’t get to school today’ was just one reminder which raised our awareness of the work still be to done to build a better world for women and girls.
It was also an opportunity to recognise the achievements of two inspirational young women from across our District. The Young Woman in the Community Award is given to those who have given outstanding service. President Pat Shore and the Mayor of the Borough Nick Brown were delighted to present the award to Amy Honeysett and Ellen Young. Amy was commended for her dedication to several volunteering roles including children bereavement support for Just B and leader of the 6th Harrogate Guides. Ellen was praised for her proactive contribution to the community in setting up a food bank at Harrogate Grammar School as well as setting up the Harrogate Climbing Team. Ellen was not able to attend the meeting as she was away on a school trip. It was accepted on her behalf by her teacher Eileen Boag.
Deputy Chief Constable Lisa Winward, North Yorkshire Police, gave the Key Note Speech on ‘Safeguarding Women and Children in Today’s Society’, a subject she is passionate about. Safeguarding women and children is everybody’s business whether it is on the street, in their own homes or on the internet – if we have a concern then we should contact the police.
Harrogate Ladies College Choir gave a moving performance tailored to International Women’s Day as we celebrated the ‘best of women’ along with other women’s community groups, Probus, Inner Wheel, Girl Guides and the Women’s Institute. The event received excellent local media coverage in the Harrogate Advertiser Harrogate Informer and on Stray FM
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