Sue, Rosemary and I met recently met with Dr Donnell Davis who is the Soroptimist International Programme Director South East Asia Pacific. Donnell was visiting an old friend and work colleague in Manchester on her way back home to Australia from the United Nations in New York. Donnell had delivered a paper in New York with good news as well as highlighting areas of concern.
Her message was whilst there has been progress on climate change there is a need for greater focus on adolescence issues and women’s reproductive health.
We arranged to meet at The Pankhurst Centre the former home of Emmeline Pankhurst who, along with her sister Christabel, were the charismatic leaders of the Women’s Social and Political Union. The movement became known as the suffragettes.We had lunch in the Whitworth Art Gallery with the added attraction of an exhibition entitled Women Who Revolt which gave rise to some interesting discussion.
Sue then gave Donnell a tour of Salford Quays which included the Centenary Walkway. Alongside the waterfront are twenty four plaques each with a beautiful piece of poetry commemorating the famous docks and the workers who created it.
Donnell was very appreciative of the time spent with members of S I Manchester and we had a fascinating insight into Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific.
Carole Swarbrick, President