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Janet Haywood
Annual General Meeting and Celebration of Long Service Awards

Annual General Meeting and Celebration of Long Service Awards

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President Sandra and Club members welcomed Linda Davis, Yorkshire Region President to their AGM held by Zoom on the 21st of April. Sandra will be continuing as Club President till October. This is due to the impact on many of the Clubs planned events. Despite this,  the Club’s raised over £2000 for her chosen charity Just B.  This included a Zoom Burns Night supper, Club member Maureen taking part in the Great North Run and a lot of knitting!   Just B is the bereavement service that is part of Saint Michael’s Hospice. Long Service Awards It was a special night  as the Club celebrated the long service of three of its members who have served a total of 115 years between them. Val Hills, joining the Club 25 years ago, Dorothy Taylor joined 40 years ago and is the Clubs longest serving member. And

Deadlier than the Male – Dr Phil Judkins

Deadlier than the Male – Dr Phil Judkins

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In March we welcomed Dr Phil Judkins by Zoom, an internationally acknowledged  expert on the history of radar, radio interception and electronic warfare. His work has featured in daily papers, film and television. We heard one of his most requested talks “Women are Deadlier than the Male”. Phil described the astounding roles undertaken by women in both world wars at home and abroad. Some very unexpected and some almost unbelievable, except they actually happened. Nurses on the front line such as Edith Cavell saved lives of many soldiers of all nationalities.  She also paid the ultimate price when shot by firing squad.  We heard about code breaker’s intercepting messages, a highly secretive activity during the 1st World War and at the TOP SECRET  Bletchley Park. Women making ammunition  shells in the first and second World Wars where one spark could set off an explosion. The last

Challenging the status quo
Choose to Challenge – Forgotten Women – International Women’s Day

Choose to Challenge – Forgotten Women – International Women’s Day

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Soroptimist International of Harrogate and District – Celebrates ‘Forgotten Women’ on International Women’s Day 8thMarch 2021 Seventy Soroptimists and guests Zoomed in from all over the Yorkshire, the UK and the World to celebrate the unveiling of a Harrogate Civic Society Plaque,  in recognition of Dr Kathleen Rutherford on International Women’s Day.  A woman, described as a legend in her own life time in a 1970’s Yorkshire Television Calendar News Special about her life, now all but forgotten. Dr Kathleen was a founder member and first Club President of Soroptimist International of Harrogate in 1933.  The Club was also delighted to welcome award winning journalist Nicky Harley, whose ‘Forgotten Women’ campaign kicked off our quest to find out more about our founder President.   Civic Society Brown Plaque scheme The Club always knew of Dr Kathleen but in 2019 Nicky contacted the Club as part
‘Forgotten Women’ – Dr Kathleen Rutherford Remembered on International Women’s Day

‘Forgotten Women’ – Dr Kathleen Rutherford Remembered on International Women’s Day

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International Women’s Day -  Forgotten Women Dr Kathleen Rutherford M.B.E Harrogate Civic Society Heritage Plaque for Dr Kathleen Rutherford MBE   Forgotten Women In  2019 Soroptimist International of Harrogate and District Club received an email from journalist Nicky Harley. Nicky’s mission is to increase the number of women recognised by a Blue Plaque by bringing attention to the ‘Forgotten Women’ -  well known during their lifetime but often forgotten since.  One of these women was Dr Kathleen Rutherford MBE. A name well known to the Club as one of the founding members in 1933 and first President but there was little known about the person. Doing our research Using the information provided by Nicky, Club member Rachel Richardson’s research revealed a whole lot more. This  includes a Yorkshire Television Calendar programme made in 1970 about her life.  Dr Kathleen, recognised as being a ‘Legend in
Corinthian Capers – Bears, Flowers and Rare Birds in Romania

Corinthian Capers – Bears, Flowers and Rare Birds in Romania

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Carpathian Mountains A Carpathian Caper At our most recent speaker meeting on Zoom, Harrogate and District Soroptimists enjoyed a presentation by Pat Rumbold on her Romanian holiday. What a joy! This wasn’t your run-of-the-mill collection of holiday snaps with a commentary. It was a cornucopia of beautiful photographs and fascinating insights into the flora, fauna and culture of this former communist country. Pat and her husband stayed with a local guide called Dan. He took them out daily on walking tours in the beautiful countryside of the Carpathian Mountains. Brown Bears, rare birds and wild flowers European brown bear Pat entranced us with her descriptions. From a stunning array of wildlife including bears, newly awakened from their winter lethargy. Also,  birds which are rarely seen in Western Europe and beautiful wild flowers,  For those of us who have been hibernating during lockdown, her account of the
Lesley Berry
Ask Me Why I am a Soroptimist?

Ask Me Why I am a Soroptimist?

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Lesley Berry Lesley Berry responds to Why I am a Soroptimist? Why are we Soroptimists? That is the question posed to our members. If you're interested in finding out more about joining  email sihandd@hotmail.co.uk. We will be in contact. Here is why Lesley is a Soroptimist A Soroptimist since 1992, my first Club was Castleford, Normanton and District. I’d been spotted in the local paper showing some Russian lecturers around the school where I was Head of History, Featherstone High School. I received a letter inviting me along to a meeting. S.I. Castleford, Normanton and District I didn’t take up the invitation to join at first as my father had died suddenly and our family were knocked for six. When I did eventually go to a meeting I was bowled over by these (I must say somewhat elderly) ladies who chatted about their exploits and
Evil Covid Fairy
Club Alternative Christmas Zoom Party and Pantomime – Oh yes it is!

Club Alternative Christmas Zoom Party and Pantomime – Oh yes it is!

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Every Christmas we have a fun Christmas Party with good food and entertainment.  Its’ a grand social event attended by most of our members. This year President Sandra and Chief Elf Liz wondered what we could do, #covid19 loves a party!  Zoom is now the way we meet.  How do we make it happen? Memories of previous parties with games, recitals and performances didn’t seem possible. But, nothing is impossible.  What about a pantomime asked President Sandra? So our ertwhile writer Sue looked through our archives and found Snow White and the Seven Soroptimists. Chief Elf Liz chatted up her neighbour and musician friend Tom. Club members ‘volunteered’ for roles in the panto or to talk about their most memorable Christmas. Our techy member  and Zoom admin Val was asked how it could work. And so began the planning of our 2020 Christmas Party. Pantomime

Fran Taylor with Making a Difference Award
Making a Difference – The Club honours Fran Taylor and the Harrogate Scrubbers

Making a Difference – The Club honours Fran Taylor and the Harrogate Scrubbers

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  Fran Taylor with Making a Difference Award Some people talk about ‘Making a Difference’ and others get on and do it. The shortage of scrubs for NHS staff who don’t normally wear them became a national issue as the Covid -19 virus took its toll. Fran Taylor recognised the need to do something and set up a Facebook page, Harrogate Scrubbers,  asking for others to support her sew scrubs for the Harrogate Hospital. Within 24 hours 200 people had signed up and more than £4500 had been raised. Within 5 weeks there was an army of 800 volunteers who were willing to sew, cut out, organise and deliver. We were delighted to welcome Fran  as our guest speaker at our Zoom meeting  to find out more about Fran’s fantastic achievement.  Club members also got the chance to see the Engraved silver photo-frame presented to

16 Days of Activism – Orange the World – Stop Violence Against Women

16 Days of Activism – Orange the World – Stop Violence Against Women

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  # Stop Violence Against Women Harrogate and District Soroptimists ‘Believe to Achieve Gender Equality’. For 16 Days of Activism starting 25th November to 10th December, Soroptimists everywhere will #OrangetheWorld.   Each of the 16 Days we celebrate marks a step towards women’s rights and a safe space for them.  Soroptimist International believes that women’s rights are human rights and through our work in the communities we work with that objective. Club members are actively involved in supporting the local Women’s Refuge. The Club recently provided household appliances and bedding to help women and their families escaping domestic violence set up home free from fear. ‘Loves Me. Loves Me Not’ bookmarks on healthy relationships, provided by the Club, are now available to midwives in the Harrogate District  who are caring for young mothers. Pregnancy and childbirth increase the risk of domestic abuse. President Sandra  said, “The

Smart Works – Helping Women into work

Smart Works – Helping Women into work

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Getting a job is never easy and with rising unemployment is becoming more difficult. Just getting an interview is a challenge. First impressions count.   Smart Works comes to the aid of unemployed women. To tell us more, Helen Oldham, chair of Smart Works Leeds, gave us an insight into how Smart Works Empowers Women to Succeed.             Smart Works,  a UK charity provides high quality interview clothes and interview training to unemployed women in need. It provides women with a work outfit from stock of high-quality clothes and accessories. With styling advice and interview training, the support helps women feel more confident and increases their chances of securing a job. Half the women have previously been unsuccessful in over 20 applications. A third have been turned down from over 50 jobs. All are suffering from a lack of confidence in their