{"id":729,"date":"2016-02-18T20:21:34","date_gmt":"2016-02-18T19:21:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/midland-arden\/?page_id=729"},"modified":"2025-06-30T21:05:18","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T20:05:18","slug":"hosting-regional-meetings","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/midland-arden\/hosting-regional-meetings\/","title":{"rendered":"Memorable Moments"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Three Regions Afternoon Tea – 22nd June 2025<\/h4>\n

On Sunday 22nd June, the three Regions of Midland Arden, Midland Chase and Midland East joined together to celebrate 50 years together.\u00a0 The venue was Drayton Manor Hotel in Tamworth.\u00a0 \u00a0A marvellous time was had by all, and if you would like to view all the photos, please follow the instructions below:<\/p>\n

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  1. Go to\u00a0www.sevenstarphotography.co.uk<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  2. Select Client Log-In.<\/li>\n
  3. From the list, select Soroptimists at Drayton Manor.<\/li>\n
  4. Enter the password \u2013 must be in uppercase letters \u2013 FIFTY.<\/li>\n
  5. Read the notes at the top of the gallery page.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Vigil for Ukraine, Leamington Spa – 24th February 2025<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    SI Kenilworth & District have been staunch supporters of the people of Ukraine since the escalation of war in 2022, sending financial donations to sister club, SI Krakow, to support their work with Ukraine women and children fleeing war. The Club has a fundraiser to send essential hygiene products to women and girls via Kate Wilson\u2019s Medics 2 Medics<\/strong> organisation. They have proudly supported the work of Kenilworth Lions in sourcing and driving medically equipped ambulances to the Polish border for collection by Ukrainian personnel. Councillor Richard Dickson was at a vigil for Ukraine and Vice-President Sharon represented SI Kenilworth and District at the vigil.<\/p>\n

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    \"\"\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<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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    \u201cHope: Political Women in Coventry &\u00a0 Warwickshire Past, Present, Future.\u201d SI Kenilworth at the University of Warwick<\/b><\/h4>\n

    In 2018, the UK Parliament commemorated 100 years since\u00a0 <\/span>(some) women over 30 in Britain first won the right to <\/span>vote in parliamentary elections. The celebrations included <\/span>the construction of \u201cHope” a life-size Lego Suffragette <\/span>that was originally displayed in the House of Commons.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    \u201cHope\u201d was named in a public poll and stands 5ft 6ins\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>(1.7m) in height. She was built and donated by the Lego Group using an <\/span>impressive 32,327 Lego bricks; taking a team of three,\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>171 hours to build. She is currently travelling the country,\u00a0 <\/span>raising awareness of local Votes for Women campaign <\/span>stories.\u00a0 The History department at Warwick University secured \u201cHope\u201d as their figurehead to host an all-day series of lectures attended by members of SI Kenilworth, on the impact of local women politicians in bringing change to women\u2019s experience of equality in the past, present and future.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    The first speaker, Professor Sarah Richardson, told of the Warwickshire women who had fought for women\u2019s suffrage\u00a0 There were <\/span>Warwickshire women who \u201ccompleted\u201d their entries on the 1911 census with handwritten borders of \u2018Votes for Women\u2019. Quite simply, putting their names to it and risking the consequences.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The second speaker, Dr Mari Takayanogi told of the 1950\u2019s trip to the USSR of\u00a0 Coventry\u2019s first female MP, Elaine Burton (Coventry South) \u2013 the 59<\/span>th <\/span>woman MP ever elected.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    The third speaker, Dr Shwetwa Singh, gave an insight into her work to remove bias from AI used in hiring processes and decision-making systems.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Zarah Sultana, Coventry South\u2019s second woman MP (elected 2019) since Elaine Burton, was the final speaker. She told of her journey to becoming a Member of Parliament.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"\"\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 <\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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    Members after-session chat with Zarah revealed her knowledge of Soroptimists and our aims.\u00a0 She was more than happy to stand alongside us with Hope!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    The Ukrainian Afternoon Tea with Leamington Soroptimists<\/h4>\n

    President Catherine gave a massive and heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined them for the Ukrainian Afternoon Tea with the talented artist George Butler. It was a truly moving occasion that resonated deeply, and thanks to attendees’ generosity, Leamington Soroptimists raised an incredible \u00a33,950<\/strong>. This will go directly to two vital causes:\u00a0Hand-in-Hand,<\/strong> which supports the Ukrainian community in Leamington Spa, and Medics to Medics<\/strong>, who deliver essential medical supplies to areas that desperately need them. Catherine said ‘We couldn\u2019t be prouder of this achievement\u2014thanks to all for making it possible.’<\/p>\n

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    Leamington Soroptimists’ First Conference – A Resounding Success<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Leamington Soroptimists staged their first conference on 29th September, a huge success described in their own words below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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    Dear members, supporters and friends,<\/p>\n

    We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and supported the inaugural Raise Up Conference!<\/p>\n

    Since our inception just 15 months ago, we’ve been dedicated to making a difference, not just through our fundraising efforts for women-focused charities like The Esther Project WOW and Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC), but also by actively engaging in our community. Hosting this conference was a natural step in our journey.<\/p>\n

    Despite the tight timeframes, we pushed forward with a vision to create something special. On Sunday, that vision became a reality as 10 inspiring women took to the stage to \u2018Raise Up\u2019 their voices, delivering powerful messages to over 90 attendees. The energy in the room was incredible, and we were thrilled to see 36 places sponsored by other women for women.<\/p>\n

    A number of our speakers have sat with me to be interviewed on the Gobsmacked! Podcast. I would encourage you to listen\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0if you missed their powerful stories. You can also listen to the incredible Zelda Wilson on her podcast\u00a0Zelda, Princess Warrior<\/a>: Life Hacks for Living Full and Dying Well, as well we Hannah Simnett\u2019s invaluable\u00a0Connect Counts<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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