International Women’s Day is a global day when Soroptimists celebrate women’s achievements and raising awareness against bias. Also taking action for equality and making a positive difference for women.  It was founded more than a century ago after more than 15,000 women marched in New York City to demand better working conditions and voting rights. This year the focus is on ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’ with the theme of Break The Bias. SI Heswall members wore purple at their recent meeting – the official colour of International Women’s Day. The guest speaker at the meeting was Murray Dale from Water Aid who spoke about the range of projects which Water Aid is currently supporting and which focus on improving opportunities and benefits for women and girls. From Water Aid on International Women’s Day 2022 ‘This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the women that

  Members of SI Heswall hosted a concert for their families and friends with a programme of popular music by the SingMe Merseyside choir directed by Billy Hui, the choir’s Musical Director. The entertainment was followed by tea and home-made cakes. A very enjoyable gathering was a welcome chance to chat and catch up with friends as well as raising funds for the club Presidents’ charities.    

  Gayton Park was selected for a small community project as part of Wirral Council’s planting program this year within the Tree, Hedgerow and Woodland Strategy to improve Wirral’s tree canopy. A hedgerow and orchard with future community use in mind were recently planted at the park. Several Soroptimists represented the club and took part in planting fruit trees to establish an orchard.

    Think of Spring and snowdrops come to mind. Members recently took advantage of fine weather to visit Ness Botanic Gardens to see the spectacular displays of snowdrops around the gardens. Carpets of many of the varieties in the collection held by Ness were a highlight of the woodland areas. Witch hazels, camellias, rhododendrons and hellebores showing colour were a promise of Spring too.           “Snowdrops: Theirs is a fragile but hardy celebration…in the very teeth of winter.” Louise Beebe Wilder (1878-1938)

An afternoon of packing back packs in a member’s garage achieved a splendid total of 55 packs to be send out by Mary’s Meals. Over recent months members of SI Heswall have been collecting the rucksacks and items to fill them ranging from soap, toothpaste and toothbrush to writing materials and shoes and clothes. The backpack project supports the charity’s work to provide life-changing meals to some of the world’s poorest children every school day in their place of education.      

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is 25th November and marks the start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls initiated in 1991. This year’s theme is ‘Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now’. At their meeting on 25th November SI Heswall members wore orange and donated a wide range of orange foods and toiletries for the Food Bank recognising its support for women who have been victims of gender-based violence.              

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Heswall Soroptimists marked this with a pink themed evening. Members wore pink and held a pink raffle to raise funds for Breast Cancer Now. A light-hearted quiz with a pink theme followed an excellent talk by Maureen Sayer on the current statistics and research findings on breast cancer.       The Breast Cancer Awareness message was spread locally with posters and collection points for bras which have been sent to Smalls for All     Home  

      SI Heswall held a candle lighting ceremony to celebrate 100 years of Soroptimist International. Candles were lit to remember Soroptimist International, SIGBI Federation, Cheshire, North Wales and Wirral Region, and SI Heswall. Through a play several members took the meeting along the timeline of the past one hundred years and introduced a few of women who have made great contributions to the evolving organisation.  

  Members held a very successful auction to raise funds for the Presidents’ charities. Although planned to be held outdoors heavy rain meant a move inside. Nevertheless, members and friends enjoyed an entertaining afternoon as it was an auction with a difference – all the items were gift wrapped and a surprise every time! Auctioneer Maureen’s skill and enthusiasm helped to raise over £300. The charities which will benefit, chosen by Presidents Jenny and Cynthia, are Tomorrow’s Women Wirral (tomorrowswomen.org.uk) a centre looking after the welfare of women, Parkinson’s UK (parkinsons.org.uk) and Health Help International (hhi.org.uk) an organisation providing medical equipment in Zambia and India.  

The Region’s Centenary Fun Walk was held in September in perfect walking conditions – mild and dry. Many of SI Heswall’s members took part and enjoyed the opportunity to meet up and walk with members from other Wirral clubs. Additionally, SI Heswall members assisted with marshalling and driving for the walkers. The aim was to walk a hundred miles for a hundred years and Wirral Soroptimists achieved a total of 135.5 miles. The walkers began at Hoylake and walked in four stages to Connah’s Quay where they met walkers who had followed a route across Cheshire.   The next day walkers from Welsh clubs walked from Connah’s Quay to Llandudno where at Happy Valley, on the Great Orme, a ceremony was held to celebrate the 100-year anniversary.  Trees were planted to mark the occasion, a Soroptimist bench was placed, and a time capsule buried.