We are delighted to welcome back our President Elect Uzma who has had a long stay in Pakistan dealing with family issues.

We are delighted to donate the proceeds of our Afternoon Tea raffle to Mary Thompson Fund, supporting refugees.

45 members and guests gathered at St. Cuthbert’s Parish Centre in Marton to enjoy a delicious tea and to celebrate the 75 year Anniversary of SI Middlesbrough. Proceedings began with a welcome from President Geraldine, who reflected on the social issues of 1945 in the wake of the end of WW2 and how inspired those Middlesbrough women must have been to establish a club in the months following the declaration of peace.  Geraldine then invited Regional President Christine Lumsdon, for whom it was the last formal engagement in that role, to light the Peace Candle, while our longest serving member, Alwyn Kraus, cut the celebration cake. It also just happened that Alwyn and Past Regional President Joyce Chesney were sharing a birthday, along with another of our guests, so Margaret Clark led us in a rousing chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’!! Regional President Christine then presented

Thanks to all who supported our 75th anniversary Tea and particularly for donations received. It was a day to remember!

Kim Ann Williamson MBE, SIGBI Assistant Programme Director (Peace) will be addressing our meeting on Teams on Thursday 21 October at 6.45pm on the vital subject of Modern Slavery Awareness – What makes Soroptimists unique? All welcome to join for this rare opportunity. Joining details to follow.

Of all 943 Nobel Prizes recipients, only 58 are women.

Good to see our lockdown project book “Overcoming the Odds” about women scientists is getting as far as SI Bournemouth for prizes in their STEM challenge with students. Well done SI Bournemouth!

For the 100th anniversary of the founding of Soroptimist International, Middlesbrough members since April have carried out 100 acts of kindness. We must continue!

Tickets going well for our celebratory afternoon tea. Still time to book!