On a wet day in London it was a relief to be out of the rain and in the company of inspirational women for the SI London Chilterns Region Annual General Meeting with special guest speakers Dame Vera Baird (National Victims Commissioner, … Continued
Region News
Hot Soroptimist Womens Conference
On the hottest day of the year attendees of the Soroptimist International London Chilterns Region Conference had their thoughts provoked by two inspirational speakers Janet Fyle MBE Policy Adviser at the Royal College of Midwives www.rcm.org.uk/promoting/professional-practice/violence-women-girls/ and Ruby Raut CEO and … Continued
Kathleen Martin, High Wycombe Soroptimist in Queens Birthday Honours
SI High Wycombe and District Member Kathleen Martin has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours”. Jen Simpson, past President of SI London Chilterns Region and Communications Officer for the High Wycombe Soroptimists said: We are absolutely delighted that one … Continued
Soroptimist Suffragette Cheerstation at the London Landmarks Half Marathon
On Sunday 24 Mar Soroptimists from London Chilterns Region “womanned” a suffragette cheer station at the London Landmarks Half Marathon (LLHM) – see the website for more about the event www.llhm.co.uk The event broke its fundraising target of £6m. LLHM is … Continued
Three Soroptimist Clubs Join Forces to Celebrate International Women’s Day
On 17 March a trio of Soroptimist International Clubs in the London Chilterns Region SI Slough Windsor & Maidenhead, SI Thames Valley, and SI High Wycombe and District organised a brilliant International Women’s Day event in Maidenhead Town Hall. The … Continued
WINNER!! Soroptimist Club Wins St Albans Mayors Pride Award in the Voluntary Sector
Soroptimist International of London Chilterns is proud to announce that the St Albans and District Soroptimist Club won the St Albans Mayor’s Pride Award 2019 in the Voluntary Sector category. The first picture is of the three finalists (Soroptimist Jane … Continued
London Chilterns Soroptimists Celebrate International Womens Day
Our event began with a celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) which has been celebrated on 8th March every year since 1909. The day was adopted by the United Nations in 1975 with an annual identified theme; this year that … Continued
Are Women Their Own Worst Enemy? Inspiring Womens Day Debate
Are women their own worst enemy? On 7 March SI St Albans and District held an inspiring International Women’s Day debate… The panel and audience discussed the question: Are Women their own worst enemy? the answer: yes and no – it’s complicated! St … Continued
A Moving Human Rights Day Region Celebration
Members from Soroptimist Clubs in the London Chilterns Region and their guests attended a moving Human Rights Day event on Saturday 15th December. 2018 marked 70 years since the signing of the United Nations declaration of Human Rights for www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/ One … Continued
London Chilterns Soroptimists in the Face of Suffrage
Soroptimists from all over the UK were encouraged to add their images to The People’s Picture – the Face of Suffrage on display on the concourse at Birmingham New Street Station from November 15th to the 14th December, the day women … Continued
40 Soroptimists from London Chilterns Region at the Liverpool Conference
40 Members of Soroptimist International London Chilterns Region attended the Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) Conference in Liverpool this year. We were kept well informed with information by Members who attended, the SIGBI Conference website www.sigbi.org/liverpool2018 plus Facebook and Twitter … Continued
October Region AGM and Conference – the Impact of Women
We had an action packed October Region meeting in London – with the AGM, a #VotesForWomen presentation, a run through nominated “Women of Achievement” and a panel session on the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW). President Margaret’s … Continued
Vote 100 Suffragette Exhibition – A Stones Throw from Westminster
SI Greater London and SI St Albans and District have both visited the VOTE 100 Suffragettes in Camden exhibition in August. The exhibition is cleverly titled “A Stone’s Throw from Westminster” and is at the Camden Local Studies & Archives Centre, Holborn Library. The groups … Continued
WINNER! Soroptimist St Albans Wins SME Hertfordshire Business Award
Great news! SI St Albans and District has won the SME Hertfordshire Business Award in the “Not for Profit Business of the Year” category Please see the website for all the information – hertfordshireawards.co.uk The Club’s Membership Officer and local business woman Amanda Brown … Continued
Hilary Page OBE Receives NAWO Award
Two longstanding Soroptimists were honoured by the National Alliance of Women’s Organisations (NAWO) at a gathering in Europe House, London. Zarin Hainsworth OBE, Chair of NAWO, introduced the Elder Awards, which were set up to celebrate the work of feminists … Continued
Impactful Region Conference in Newbury
What an impactful Region Meeting/Conference in Newbury! IMPACT is Region President Margaret Badley’s theme for the year and this event certainly fitted the bill. 50 Soroptimists from the Clubs in our London Chilterns Region came together to learn, share and … Continued
Processions 2018 – march marking 100 Years of Votes for Women
On 10 June Members of Soroptimist International from all over the UK marched with PROCESSIONS, a mass artwork celebrating 100 years of women voting, in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London. Members of SI London Chilterns Region marched in London in solidarity … Continued
SI Slough Windsor and Maidenhead Annual Lunch – New Venue and a New Childrens Hospice
After many years of having the Annual Lunch in Dorney this year SI Slough Windsor and Maidenhead moved to the beautiful setting of the Berystede Hotel in South Ascot. Despite the rather unseasonal weather members were able to admire the … Continued
Soroptimist Suffragette Cheerstation at the London Landmarks Half Marathon
The London Landmarks Half Marathon on March 25th raised more than £1.5 million pounds for the children’s charity Tommy’s. Because this year is the 100th anniversary of female suffrage in the UK, this new London event included a suffragist cheer … Continued
International Women’s Day Centenary of Votes for Women – What Have We Achieved? Sun March 11 Maidenhead
Soroptimist International of Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead, Thames Valley and High Wycombe and District Clubs hosted an event in Maidenhead to mark International Women’s Day and the centenary of votes for (some) women in the UK. The British Prime Minister, and MP … Continued
Yarl’s Wood Befrienders News
To understand more about Yarl’s Wood and the immigration detention of women in the UK, please read this short article: https://theconversation.com/i-befriend-women-detained-at-yarls-wood-their-life-in-immigration-limbo-is-excruciating-92905 It was written by Jo Vincett, a PhD Student, Faculty of Business and Law with The Open University and it … Continued
Soroptimists Mark Human Rights Day with Celebrations, Befrienders and Engineering
More than 50 Soroptimists from Clubs in the London Chilterns Region gathered in Bedford to mark and celebrate Human Rights Day and is part of the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Based Violence The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was … Continued
Step Up, Lead the Way – Brilliant Soroptimist Conference Cardiff October 2017
Over 1,200 women from around the world gathered at the magnificent Wales Millennium Centre on Cardiff Bay to listen to inspiring speakers and to share ideas and energise each other through networking and friendship Olympian Katherine Grainger DBE, Britain’s most … Continued
Modern Day Slavery Survey – SI Slough Windsor and Maidenhead
Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI) UK Programme Action Committee (UKPAC) www.sigbi.org/ukpac worked with Anti-Slavery groups and did a survey about the level of understanding of people in the UK wrt trafficked people and modern day slaves. The survey … Continued
*Oct Regional Meeting/Conference plus AGM – Director, Baroness, Clubs and new President
President Jen Simpson opened the meeting. She reminded us that her theme for this year had been ACTIVE – Aspirational, Collaborative, Tenacious, Inspirational, Vocal and Empowering for Women and Girls globally. She told us that the new Soroptimist International (SI) Presidents’ Appeal has been … Continued
Blistering and Explosive June Regional Meeting/Conference
The picture above is of everyone holding up cards for the #LandmineFree2025 Campaign with SI London Chilterns Regional President Jen Simpson and Kate Moore MBE, former Chair of Action on Armed Violence at the fore. It was a blistering … Continued
Happy 90th Birthday SI Central and South West London!
Congratulations and Happy 90th Birthday to SI Central and South West London www.sigbi.org/london-central-and-southwest The Club had a whole weekend of celebrations 12-14th May 2017 with guests from all over the world including the Soroptimist International President Yvonne Simpson who is from … Continued
Regional President Jen Abseils for More Smiles Charity
This is SI London Chilterns Regional President Jen Simpson’s report of her amazing abseil antics for www.moresmiles.org.uk to provide a ‘fit for the future’ expanded Paediatric Intensive Care unit at St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington. “On 26th April at 11am I well … Continued
Kori Library – Official Opening by SI Thames Valley
We couldn’t all go to Sierra Leone, so the official UK opening of the Kori Development Project Sandy Raffan Memorial Library was organised by SI Thames Valley and was held at the John Lewis Heritage Centre in Cookham on 18 … Continued
SI St Albans and District Ends 60th Year on a High
Members of Soroptimist International St Albans and District enjoyed a lively Annual General Meeting in April to end their diamond year on a high. Click on this link for more www.sigbi.org/st-albans/agm/ The AGM marked the end of the Club’s 60th … Continued
International Women’s Day at London Chilterns Region March Meeting
On Sat 11 Mar almost 50 women from around our Soroptimist London Chilterns Region met in London. A packed agenda included lots of news from Federation and Clubs plus two really interesting speakers – Sarah Smart (pic left with Regional President … Continued
Soroptimists in e-Christmas Card from Breast Cancer Now
The Christmas message from Breast Cancer Now has London Chilterns Soroptimists Johanna Raffan (2nd from left) and Rita Beaumont (3rd from left) on front row with Baroness Delyth Morgan Chief Executive of BCN (far right). This photograph was from a Breast … Continued
Human Rights Day Celebration
Soroptimists from Clubs in the London Chilterns Region gathered in Beaconsfield to mark Human Rights Day. Four candles were lit – one to remember those in the world who are denied their human rights, the second to celebrate the work of … Continued
Teamwork at International Day of the Girl Child
This event, marking the International Day of the Girl Child was hosted by Thames Valley Police, working in partnership with local businesses and partners, to share and celebrate the achievements of women and girls from around the community in High … Continued
New Soroptimist Club Chartered in Milton Keynes
New Soroptimist Club Chartered in Milton Keynes Exciting news – A new Soroptimist Club was Chartered in Milton Keynes on 11th June 2015. SI Milton Keynes are bringing focus to the very real, but global issues, which affect women locally. … Continued
Breast Cancer and Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead Charter Lunch
London Chiltern Soroptimists have been out and about learning about and supporting some of our charities and clubs over the last few days. This group photograph shows Johanna Raffan and Rita Beaumont with Campaigners at a workshop run by Breast … Continued
Wonderful Women’s Conference!
Soroptimist International St Albans & District were proud to host a successful Women’s Conference and Regional Meeting on Sat 20th June in Redbourn on behalf of Soroptimist International London Chilterns Region. Forced Marriage was the topic for the morning – … Continued
Club Member Hilary Ratcliffe awarded OBE for Promoting Gender Equality
Soroptimist International (SI) Programme Director, and member of SI St Albans and District, Hilary Ratcliffe, has been made an “Officer of the Order of the British Empire” (OBE) in the UK Honours List , for services to “promoting Gender Equality Overseas”. Hilary Ratcliffe … Continued
St Albans Welcomes 6 New Members!
The Soroptimist International St Albans & District Club was delighted to be able to welcome six new members to the Club at their first meeting of 2014 – what a great start to the New Year! We hope they will all enjoy … Continued
Johanna Raffan MBE
Johanna, a member of Slough Windsor and Maidenhead Club in the London Chilterns Region has been awarded an MBE for her work with Gifted and Talented Children.
Jackie Paling receives award from Theresa May 2013 / Violence and Conflict Resolution
Below you will find links to related topics on the main SIGBI website which has detail and pictures: National Action Plan on Women: Peace and Security A Representative from UK Soroptmists has been working with 3 government departments on updating the current … Continued
Dr Eileen Alexander OBE 1911- 2014
Dr Eileen Alexander OBE 1911- 2014 Eileen pictured here enjoying her 100th birthday at a club meeting. It is with sadness that we have to announce the death of our friend and fellow Soroptimist Eileen Alexander. A Soroptimist for 62 years … Continued
Former SI London Mayfair – Lunch at the Sloane Club
When SI London Mayfair disbanded in April 2010, the members knew they would always stay in touch. It has fallen to Sakina Jetha (now of SI Central & SW) to arrange a social event for the former members and this … Continued
8 March for Women International 2011
Tuesday 8th March International Women’s Day 100th Anniversary (Picture is 2010 Walk) “Women on the Bridge” London Millennium Bridge – joint event with Women for Women International (WWI) – see the website www.womenforwomen.org/bridge There will be events in the UK and … Continued
Incoming Presidents @ 63
On Saturday 5 February 2011 we held the Incoming President Workshop which included Elects, Vice and was hosted by Region President Johanna Raffan and led by Teams of Excellence trainer Eileen Shaw, both from SI Thames Valley. We were also … Continued
Jean Driver SI Lewisham Newspaper interview
Congratulation to Jean for the excellent article. Your points on the value of Soroptimist were very well made. My attempt to copy this is rather fuzzy. You may get a better copy by pasting the following into your browser: http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&pnum=&refresh=7a1Q0Tc5z04E&EID=50e786ee-c629-4dee-ba75-9b9d94f0a6ac&skip=true
100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day 8 March
You will be thrilled to hear that Soroptimists from London Chilterns, South East and Southern Regions joined in the march on the Millennium Bridge on Tuesday 8 March. It took one and a half hours but the circuit was held … Continued
House of Lords – Training in Public Speaking with Baroness Flather
Training in Public Speaking at the House of Lords with Baroness Flather There were nine of us present at the Public Speaking workshop hosted by Baroness Shreela Flather on Tuesday 15 June. She is a feisty lady and broke the … Continued
Thames Valley News of Projects in Sierra Leone
SI THAMES VALLEY have been really lucky in recruiting two new soroptimists who are directly connected with Sierra Leone. Many clubs will already know of Rosie Simbo who is a specialist midwife dealing with FGM and HIV/Aids mothers. Rosie has … Continued
Fabulous Fair Trade Fashion Show
The Fair Trade charity fashion show organised by Soroptimist International London Chilterns Region on 27th May was a fabulous event. The event raised money for Project SIerra, which helps disadvantaged women and children in Sierra Leone face their futures with … Continued
Annie Lennox with Soroptimists on International Women’s Day
“Women on the Bridge” event in London International Women’s Day – Monday 8th March Soroptimists joined the march and stood in solidarity on the Millennium Bridge in London to mark International Women’s Day. This global event, organised by Women for … Continued
“Stop Trafficking” Conference
British-Taiwanese Women and Soroptimist London Chilterns Conference “Stop Trafficking” This special event was organised by Taiwan Soroptimist Helen Yang from the Citizens Organizing Foundation (COF) in London in partnership with SI London Chilterns Region. Hilary Ratcliffe, SIGBI Programme Director … Continued
Bras in Cardiff Bay at the Soroptimists Annual Conference
Bras in Cardiff Bay at the Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) Annual Conference in Cardiff Photo: Andrew Jeffrey The “Bras in the Bay” event in Cardiff was a spectacular success. Hundreds of Soroptimists brought their bras to Cardiff Bay to … Continued
Visit from Sierra Leone to SI Thames Valley
Rosie Simbo, a midwife from Sierra Leone (S.L.) came to talk to the Thames Valley Soroptimists about her experiences growing up in S.L. and the work that she currently does there, trying to persuade young girls to avoid HIV/AIDS and working to eradicate female … Continued