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What did you do on your holidays?

What did you do on your holidays?

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    Our resourceful sister Sharon is presently in Madagascar. In the midst of her holiday preparations, she decided she couldn’t fly away from life here in Kenilworth without taking something to people who have so much less than we do. Here’s the message Sharon posted. Aren’t these wonderful pictures of the children and staff at the children’s home Akany Avoko Ambohidratrimo Bevalala Ofisialy with the toiletries she took , provided by SI Kenilworth and District. Sharon Whatsapped: “So proud to be a member of this fantastic sisterhood. At v. short notice (lack of planning on my part didn’t constitute an emergency for them) I bought enough toiletries to fill a very large bag(12kg) to take to a children’s home here in Madagascar. It was truly humbling to see how grateful they were for items we take for granted.” As always we are proud of

Something to celebrate.

Something to celebrate.

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Our four friends and Club members were awarded their long service certificates at October’s meeting – Ann Pitt and Trish Bennett for 25 years, Georgie Larson-Archer for 35 years and Anne Jones for 40 years. As Amanda Jones, our joint president, said, as she made the presentations, these are all women of great kindness and we paused to reflect on all the many many women who will have benefitted from the work of these four. It is really remarkable to think about this and we were all proud to celebrate with our sisters in Soroptimism.

Betty Mash, a shining example of a Soroptimist

Betty Mash, a shining example of a Soroptimist

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We’re feeling sad but oh so proud that one of our longest standing members, Betty Mash,  has passed away. Tricia, with the help of one of Betty’s longest standing Soroptimist friends, Marion, has written this beautiful piece for her family If anyone was the definition of the phrase ‘a woman of substance’, it was Betty Mash who sadly passed away on the 4th September in a local nursing home, just short of her 97th birthday. In her life, Betty was a true trail blazer for women, embodying all that women can achieve in their lives. At school, Betty had excelled at sport, especially in running. Deciding on a police career, she entered a profession completely dominated by men, having to be tough and stoic at a time when the majority of women were not expected to be focussed on their careers.  In 1957 Betty became

Why are a Kenilworth Soroptimist and the Kenilworth Mayor under the umbrella of Kenilworth Lions?

Why are a Kenilworth Soroptimist and the Kenilworth Mayor under the umbrella of Kenilworth Lions?

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To support an amazing venture by the Lions! Kenilworth Soroptimists are very proud of the strong links we have with Kenilworth Lions. On several occasions they have matched our donations to the well-being fund we initiated for women at our local Refuge. They have helped us decorate and refurbish family rooms at the Refuge. They have donated furniture and given of their time and skills to help us ensure survivors of domestic abuse can begin a new life in a home of their own. Kenilworth Soroptimist Sharon (pictured above with Town Mayor Cllr Alan Chalmers) was one of four representatives of SI Kenilworth & District who came to show how proud we are of the Kenilworth Lions’ provision of a fully medically fitted ambulance for Ukraine – and the drivers to get it there!                      

Where Could This Be?

Where Could This Be?

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Almost Anywhere in the World! We’re an international organisation of women volunteers so you’ll find us at work in over 3000 clubs – from Krakow to Delhi, from Edinburgh to Johannesburg, from Colombia to Christchurch and all points in between! We all work to support and empower women and girls at a local, national and international level. We do that by campaigning on issues like FGM and Modern Slavery or by raising awareness of ways to combat Violence Against Women and Girls. We support microfinancing women entrepreneurs and farmers to help create successful, healthy communities throughout the world. And we also raise money to help us do more! One of our biggest fundraisers is our Plant Stall at the annual Kenilworth Lions’ Grand Show. But this year we were in danger of falling far below the usual abundance of fabulous plants that Kenilworth has come

What’s the Best Run for Our Money?

What’s the Best Run for Our Money?

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When it comes to Fundraising – we found two of the best runs in Warwickshire! Run Number 1  Race For Life, Stoneleigh, May 18th When Co-President Elaine asked for support in raising funds for Cancer Research UK, there was no shortage of members stepping up to help.   Elaine’s reflections that we have all lost someone we love to cancer and the importance of funding research to combat this dreadful disease were met with complete agreement. Six readily offered to be part of Elaine’s ‘Team SI Kenilworth & District’ in the ‘Race for Life’ whilst others pledged sponsorship. Of course the Team kit had to be finalised. Given our tutus, hats and Elton John shades, Elaine observed that Team SI K&D might not have been the fastest in the race – but they were certainly one of the best dressed!                

What’s better than having an inspirational president?

What’s better than having an inspirational president?

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Having two of them!     Our Joint Presidents for 2024/25 Elaine Clarke and Amanda Jones were elected at our AGM in April.   The start of a new Soroptimist year is always a chance to look back on what we’ve achieved.   And looking back over our posts for the past year, you’ll see exactly how inspired we’ve been! Here are just a few of the reasons we’re so proud of our Club. We kick started our year with news of an amazing achievement for our Club. Thanks to President Elect Elaine’s inspiring lead, together we made Kenilworth a Toilet Twinned Town. The impact on communities lacking proper toilet and hygiene facilities always falls most heavily on women and girls. We were very grateful to our own community for helping us make our toilet twinned communities healthier and safer for all. Here’s a reminder

On our 55th anniversary, which women inspire us?

On our 55th anniversary, which women inspire us?

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First have to be the ones whose vision brought us here! Kenilworth folk are familiar with ‘The Old Bakery’ on High Street in the Old Town (incidentally Warwickshire’s ‘Pub of the Year’). Until 1979, this was the long-established ‘Fancott’s Bakery’. Joan Fancott was, in 1969, the founder President of Soroptimist International Kenilworth & District. Here’s Joan wearing the Presidential insignia our current President Amanda wears today.                             Next must be the countless women throughout history who paved the way for us. Women like Mary Wollstonecraft(1759-1797), the British writer and philosopher who is arguably one of the first women to advocate a feminist view of gender equality: one of the cornerstones of our own work and advocacy.  And Ada Lovelace (1815-1852), the English writer and mathematician whose work pioneered computer science: a role model to encourage more girls to take

How did you celebrate International Women’s Day?

How did you celebrate International Women’s Day?

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We certainly celebrated in style!  We Purpled the Park benches in Abbey Fields with inspirational quotes.   And in the evening we carried on the celebrations with friends and Kenilworth Town Councillors at Milk and Mocha. Councillor Mark Stevens shared these as his favourite quotes - Jane got the evening to a great start by reading this poem by Becky Hemsley She drives just like a girl you know And throws just like one too She fights just like a girl as well She’s just no match for you She also runs just like a girl And that’s the way she plays But when they say “just like a girl” Jane reading her poem I think they mean to say Worse And somehow less Somehow slower, somehow weaker They think that if she’s ‘like a girl’ They’ll easily defeat her But girls will go to battle