Down the Rabbit Hole – Virtually
Just like Alice, Soroptimists went ‘down the rabbit hole’ for a ‘wonderful’ experience. The 2021 federation conference was held in Llandudno by Soroptimist International, Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI). However, being streamed online this year, rather than taking place in the town, it could be viewed all over the world. SI South Lancashire’s club in Wigan was selected as one of only six to showcase their successes as part of the membership session on Day 1. SI Wigan’s billboard ‘An Equal World is an Enabled World’ featured two members making the ‘equals’ sign. The poster was on display at a roundabout in the town for 12 months. This high visibility was instrumental in getting the club new members and in raising awareness of Soroptimism. The club’s conference presentation announced ‘SI Wigan is shopped!’. The club’s secret? Social Media, Uniqueness, Celebrations, Credibility, Evolving, Simplicity, See and
Soroptimists Celebrate
Soroptimists Focus on ‘Planet’ and ‘People’
Dogs, Disability and Devotion
Dogs? Yes, they can be man’s (and woman’s) best friend. At their recent regional meeting Soroptimists in South Lancashire discovered a whole new way in which trained dogs make life-changing differences to people’s health and wellbeing. Anna Prosser, a volunteer ambassador with Dogs for Good explained how the charity trains animals to work with people with disabilities. An assistance dog can enable an adult or child to enjoy greater independence with everyday, practical tasks. Think of opening and closing doors, retrieving items, pressing a pedestrian crossing button – what a difference that help can make. Specialist autism assistance dogs transform the lives of families affected by autism. They help a child remain calm and focused in busy places. There are community dogs who – with their handlers – work with teachers and therapists in special schools. Other community dogs work in health and social care
Federation President Johanna M Raffan MBE
It is with great sadness that we announce that President Johanna M Raffan MBE passed away on 15 June 2021. Our thoughts are with Johanna’s family at this very sad time. Johanna was elected president of our federation, Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI), in 2020.
Soroptimists on Screen
Soroptimists Showcase Autism Support
International Women’s Day 2021
South Lancashire’s Soroptimists showed their commitment to campaigning for an inclusive world. At the recent region meeting their hands show that they choose to challenge to highlight gender bias and inequality. On International Women’s Day – and every day – we can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Raise awareness! International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made. It’s a day to call for change; to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women. The United Nations’ agency UN Women campaign theme for 2021 is ‘Women in leadership: achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world’. This theme celebrates the ongoing efforts by women and girls around the world to shape a more equal future. They face the challenges of the pandemic and campaign for equality as the world recovers. From challenge comes change: Soroptimists choose to challenge.