Good Morning Soroptimist Sisters,
Once again, it is a joy to celebrate a Soroptimist International Northern England member who is included in the February selection of #WhoIsShe?, now on the SIGBI Website,
Kathleen Mary Manning a member of SI Middlesbrough for almost 25 years, an International Soroptimist, being the International Co-ordinator for Economic and Social Development 1995 -1999 and a former Regional/DU President 1987/88. Link to Biography She was also the beloved sister of our very own Margaret Alderson.
Margaret describes her sister as – ‘Spirited, determined, confident, courageous, never a quitter, always a fighter for what she believed in, qualities those who knew her will recall whenever they think about Kathleen. Of course, there were the shoulder pads, glitz and attitude – and if you loved her, you also knew that she could be a bit bossy and opinionated, like all of our family. She was my sister and my best friend for all of my life.’
When Kathleen was DU President, I was a member of the Northern England Officer’s team,
[I took the minutes!] and was in awe of her knowledge and drive, but I learned so much from Kathleen about Soroptimism. I recall hearing her speak at a Club Meeting when she related the story about restarting her working life after having her children, because she needed a washing machine and it cost £25! She went on to have an amazing successful career in the Civil Service.
Kathleen lost her brave fight against cancer on 8 March 1999, International Women’s Day. Her family and many Soroptimists celebrated her life at a Requiem Mass which was filled with hope and joy, just as her life was filled with hope, laughter and achievement.
I was privileged to have known this amazing lady who left us much too soon, and it was only much later that I learned that our families lived in the same area of Stockton, about a quarter of a mile apart but our paths only crossed through Soroptimism.
Thank you to Margaret for allowing me to use her own words about her sister.
CLUB NEWS
Not long before Christmas, Margaret Clark, our Regional FCC, of SI Middlesbrough, contacted Sue Scott, President of SI Stockton-on-Tees. Margaret had taken delivery of a large quantity of breakfast cereal, surplus to requirements and due to be destroyed. Margaret was aware of SI Stockton’s involvement with Little Sprouts Health and Well being and their need for food to distribute to families in need and wondered if they could find a use for the cereal? This resulted in a hasty meeting to fill Sue’s car with 96 boxes of cereal and immediate delivery to Little Sprouts, who were, of course, delighted!
SI Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District Planet Group [Remember the 5 Ps and their groupings?] have been extremely busy with their litter picking. They have given themselves the nickname Earth Mothers and to celebrate the SI Centenary they have challenged themselves to to fill 100 bags with litter. They are well on their way to achieving that total as January’s pick resulted in 36
bags and already in February, a further 10. [3 & 4] They will continue throughout the year, but what will their final total be? They are cleaning up their local neighbourhood, raising awareness of Soroptimism, giving service, exercising whilst always observing social distancing.
The team is – Linda Johnson, Wynn Hetherington, Judy Donnelly, Sandra Quick, Karen Lapworth and Sue Miller. Brilliant work ladies!
Pat Newsham of SI Penrith and District has updated me on their association with children affected by Domestic Abuse and the club welcomed a speaker from Eden Housing Homelessness Officer. She has a responsibility to look after and work with people suffering Domestic Abuse. The Craft Bags, on which I have reported previously, for children affected by DA, have been particularly useful as anything given to the children allows the victim of the abuse to concentrate on the problem, knowing that the child is safe.
Following on from this, the Club donated four Comfort Blankets for the children, with more in production.
I have a number of items of interest to share with you, submitted by Kathy Warrick [SI Middlesbrough]
First a link to a presentation from the Region of Southern England by Nicola Jacobs – Domestic Abuse Commissioner. Domestic Abuse Commissioner
Next, an invitation to join a Southern England Regional Meeting on 13 March 2021 at 11am where speakers will be two young women who have launched a campaign called ‘OUR STREETS NOW’. This campaign aims to change the law regarding sexual harassment. Flyer can be found at:
Members from other clubs and regions are welcome to attend. Contact lizmbatten@gmail.com and There is a petition to sign too.
Finally, Research on Women who kill their abusers – launch event on 17 February 2021.
Please register your place for CWJ’s long awaited research on the criminal justice response to women who kill their abusers: Women Who Kill
My quote for you this week is from Winston Churchill:
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak;
courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
Until next week – Stay Safe, Keep Well
In Friendship.
Joyce
Joint Regional President
SINE