{"id":5294,"date":"2020-07-13T13:14:33","date_gmt":"2020-07-13T12:14:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/lichfield\/?p=5294"},"modified":"2020-07-13T13:19:47","modified_gmt":"2020-07-13T12:19:47","slug":"whats-a-soroptimist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/lichfield\/2020\/07\/13\/whats-a-soroptimist\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s A Soroptimist?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is a Soroptimist?<\/b><\/p>\n

The most frequently asked question we encounter is \u201cWhat\u2019s a Soroptimist?\u201d. Well, of course there’s an \u201cofficial\u201d definition, but each Soroptimist is different. She brings something different to the party, and gets something different back from it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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…<\/span><\/p>\n

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We are Soroptimists.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Women inspiring action, transforming lives.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

We are vibrant, dynamic and like-minded women,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Working on global to local projects that help improve the lives of women and girls.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The Latin origin of the word Soroptimist is \u201csister\u201d and \u201cbest\u201d.\u00a0 This has mutated into \u201cthe best for women\u201d.\u00a0 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the US Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a Soroptimist is \u201cA member of a service club composed of professional and business women\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We <\/span>work to ensure that women and girls get a fair deal, in every country around the world. <\/span>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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Soroptimists aim to empower and educate women and girls , enabling them to tackle todays\u2019 challenges and reach their full potential.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This has meant involvement\u00a0 in\u00a0 (and perhaps \u201cintrusion into\u201d) complex and sensitive arenas, including…\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n