Advocacy, Awareness and Action
Together We Thrive
The Event seeks to focus on the Three A’s and some of the issues facing women and girls across Soroptimist International Northern England and beyond. The speakers will highlight their efforts to inspire women to be “the best of the best”. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss what actions they can take to “Educate, Empower and Enable” women and girls.
The charity has been supporting vulnerable women and girls for over 20 years. Its work has expanded from street-based support for sex workers to include a school programme on healthy relationships, grooming and gender-based violence.
Throughout her career Asma has been an inspiring figure for women, particularly in education and community leadership. She is the first BME Principal in Teesside and one of only two nationally in the sixth form sector. She is a proud trustee of “The Halo Project” that supports victims of honour-based violence and forced marriages.
Rachel is 23 years old, graduated with a 2:1 from Cambridge and is currently employed as a System Engineer at AAC Clyde Space in Glasgow. It is an Aerospace Company who specialise in small satellite technologies and services. She is also Team Lead at spacecareers.uk which is a non-profit organisation supporting students and professionals throughout their careers in the space industry.
The morning session saw speakers Sue Willoughby and Asma Shaffi.
The afternoon session heard from Rachel Gould, followed by round table discussions.
Speakers Heather and Rachel Gould and Judith Clark from SI Richmond and the Dales, joined Joyce Chesney SINE Chair and Shirley Hallam Gould, SINE PA Chair. This included the launch of their new Regional banner designed by Past President Jan Robinson and Shirley Hallam Gould for last year’s SIGBI conference in Edinburgh. The shoe collection was to support a Smart Works campaign to help women attending interviews. (40 pairs) A mystery book sale raised £37 to purchase new shoes. A raffle raised £247 to be shared equally between “The Halo Project” and “A way Out”.
