What is a Soroptimist?
The most frequently asked question we encounter is “What’s a Soroptimist?”. Well, of course there’s an “official” definition, but each Soroptimist is different. She brings something different to the party, and gets something different back from it.
Here, Founder President of Lichfield & District Club Angela Reynolds, reflects on her long standing membership and offers up her thoughts on what it is to be a Soroptimist…
We are Soroptimists.
Women inspiring action, transforming lives.
We are vibrant, dynamic and like-minded women,
Working on global to local projects that help improve the lives of women and girls.
The Latin origin of the word Soroptimist is “sister” and “best”. This has mutated into “the best for women”. It was first heard at the founding gathering of what were to become Soroptimists at Oakland, California in 1921. The first known use of the actual title Soroptimist was in 1924.
According to the US Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a Soroptimist is “A member of a service club composed of professional and business women”.
We work to ensure that women and girls get a fair deal, in every country around the world. The organisation holds consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council and oversees policies and activities promoting world wide human rights. It works for peace, and specifically aims to enhance and improve the lives of women and girls. In local communities and throughout the world, women still do not enjoy economic and social status in line with males.
Soroptimists aim to empower and educate women and girls , enabling them to tackle todays’ challenges and reach their full potential.
This has meant involvement in (and perhaps “intrusion into”) complex and sensitive arenas, including…
- Unequal provision of health care for women has led to work in promoting and helping them to access screening services eg., mammography, mental health and cervical cytology.
- There is currently a huge impetus for change in government policies and court procedures in domestic violence – a major national scandal and disgrace – the humiliation, physical harm, deprivation and even murder of women and girls by their partners, husbands and others.
- Lower incomes, sex trafficking, women in priso , poor access to education, crime against women, and pension rights are just a few issues where Soroptimists are heavily involved in supporting women and girls. Soroptimism is international with clubs across the world, helping in areas of extreme disadvantage and deprivation in this country and globally.
What do Soroptimists do?
Soroptimists work together and also play together, enjoying fellowship, fun and friendship at all sorts of events and functions.
- Fundraising through quizzes, fashion shows, parties, coffee mornings in fact, social gatherings of every kind.
- Dinners and suppers to celebrate club charter “birthdays” and other key dates.
- Supporting local initiatives such as the Talking Newspaper, Brownies, homes for the elderly, womens’ refuges and young carers to name a few.
- Service work – providing flower beds for the refuge and for the cathedral. Assisting with reading and book appreciation in local primary schools. Helping local women prisoners to have their children for special visits.
- The “sewing bee” which produces wonderful dresses and other items for children in need. It has been very busy during the Covid crisis making scrubs, laundry bags and masks. It has also provided many “ pamper bags” for tired and weary front line workers.
- Every Soroptimist will find an area of need to support which meets her interests but we do work as a team.
So what sort of women become Soroptimists?
The answer is any woman who is willing to give time and herself to the support of other less fortunate women and girls. Any woman who enjoys the friendship and fun of other womens‘ company: where women understand each others’ humour, sadness, worries and little quirks: where women support each other through thick and thin without regard for class, creed or politics!
The needs of women and their struggles have naturally changed over the years since the inception of Soroptimism, but they are still very real and often complicated. It takes women with all sorts of abilities and talents to support them. No longer just women from business and the professions but also those who have life experience, empathy, commitment, or sound practical skills. Someone who will stand up and be counted and use their influence to help others.
If I become a Soroptimist, what will I get out of it ?
Friends with the same ideals as yourself. New interests and knowledge. A broader understanding of how women outside our own family/social groups live and survive. The pleasure of using your skills to help others – and of passing your skills on, e.g. teaching young people just out of social care how to cook and manage a budget… Or showing a young adult how to prepare for a job interview.
You will experience the full support, in good times and bad of your sister Soroptimists. Add in caring, sharing, laughing – what is there to lose ?
How do I become a Soroptimist?
To find out more or become a Soroptimist just ask! Contact us and our membership officer will call you for a chat. You will be warmly invited to three meetings – to meet others, learn more, and see if it appeals to you. Thereafter you will be inducted and quickly involved in Programme Action work which matches your interests and skills.