Good Morning Soroptimist Sisters,
I imagine it has been a hard week for many of you with the current restriction of movement and very little good news in the World. It is frightening to listen to the increasing death and infection rates and the new strains of the virus in South America and Portugal. The safest place is definitely behind your front door! On the plus side, I am hearing of quite a few of our members who have had their first vaccination, and some have even had the second one also! I hope those that have, did not suffer any major side effects and will have a sense of relief that they will soon be immune to COVID-19.
#WhoIsShe?
Another of our remarkable Soroptimists is being celebrated with the latest 12 women on the SIGBI.org website – the late Her Honour Judge Myrella Cohen FRSA LLD – Link to Entry Profile
An Honorary member and former President of SI Sunderland and a tireless worker for women’s rights, she is fondly remembered by fellow member, Hilary Clavering. Hilary describes Myrella as ‘a lovely warm person, very stern in court; criminals were terrified of her! If sitting in court on a Friday, the solicitors knew there would be an early finish because of her observance of her Jewish faith.’ Hilary said that Myrella was often described as a crusty loaf, hard and brittle on the outside, but lovely and soft inside! A fitting tribute to a much loved Soroptimist whom we were privileged to have as a member of our organisation.
Hilary provided the second photograph of her handing over the chain of office to Myrella as Sunderland President. 
CLUB NEWS
Jane Katsambis of SI Durham, has commenced production of a monthly newsletter with contributions from Durham members. Link to Third Edition of Newsletter It contains some lovely photographs, recipes, book reviews and a Human Rights Quiz with answers. Jane tells me they will consider sending it to their Friendship link clubs.
Kathy Warrick [SI Middlesbrough] sent me two items of publicity about their recent partnership working with My Sister’s Place – Helping Women and Children to live a life free from Domestic Violence -reported previously in my weekly messages. One is a press item Raising Awareness and Challenging violence and the other is SI Middlesborough link to the article via Facebook.
REGIONAL NEWS
The Region of Northern England now has a Safeguarding Officer. She is Joan Heckels, our Regional Secretary, who has considerable experience in this field. She was appointed by Regional Officers.
Joan can be contacted on tj.heckels@btinternet.com
UK Parliamentary Workshop – Please don’t forget that you can still register with Joan for the online Parliamentary workshop on 30/1/21.
Further to my story last week on the Regional event in 2013 to celebrate the Region’s 65th Anniversary with
a photograph of Eleanor Glendinning wearing full PPE, Joint President Christine found a close-up photograph
of Eleanor showing in more detail, exactly what she was wearing I find it uncanny that they were so accurate in their predictions!
I close with the following quote:
Life is like a book
Some chapters are sad, some happy and some exciting.
But if you never turn the page. you will never know what the next chapter holds.
Wishing you the best chapter yet in this coming year! Izuudon
Until next week, Stay Safe, Keep Well – In Friendship,
Joyce JOINT REGIONAL PRESIDENT SINE