St Albans Soroptimists joined Women for Women International for the march over the Millennium Bridge as part of the International Women’s Day Celebration “Join me on the Bridge” campaign. Join me on the Bridge is the coming together of women and men around the world, united taking a stand for PEACE and women’s EQUALITY go to www.joinmeonthebridge.org and share a message of peace. We even had a Soroptimist from our friendship link in Warsaw join us on the bridge! – Ania Szeremeta is pictured above wearing sunglasses next to Jane Slatter in the yellow tabard Soroptimists all over the world celebrate this special day – there is more information about International Women’s Day on the Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland website www.sigbi.org/category/events/ Pictured on this page are Soroptimists at the event in London in 2012.    

Peggy Hodges Soroptimist Female Engineering Award – Congratulations to Tatiana Oliveira On the 10th November 2010 Tatiana Oliveira was presented with the first Peggy Hodges Soroptimist Award at the University of Hertfordshire prize-giving ceremony. This was awarded to a top female Engineering student in memory of our past-member Peggy Hodges OBE. Peggy received prizes and accolades including her OBE for engineering, so this is a fitting tribute tp Peggy.  Tatiana is studying for a BSc in Computer & Network Technology and is a worthy recipient of the award. Pictured here is Tatiana Oliveira being presented with her award by Janet Tansley, President of the St Albans Soroptimists, with Neville Reyner (CBE DL) Chairman of Exemplas University of Hertfordshire. Thanks to Pete Stevens at CreativeEmpathy.com for the photographs.   For more about the life of Peggy Hodges OBE please follow this link: www.sigbi.org/st-albans/about-our-club/members-of-note/peggy-hodges-obe-1921-2008/ 

Arbor Day – National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday 25 September 2010  Members of the St Albans & District Soroptimists were very busy on “Arbor Day” for the dedication of trees for past, present and future Soroptimists at the Soroptimist International plot. From left to right – Laura Redhead planted a tree, Hilary Ratcliffe organised the event, Jean Eaton supported everyone on the day and Christine Farrington delivered the service in the Millennium Chapel.  There were many more members there from London Chilterns Region and from clubs all over the country. The National Memorial Arboretum is in Alrewas in Staffordshire see www.thenma.org.uk

St Albans and Warsaw Soroptimists Cultural Exchange  The St Albans & District Soroptimists visited their fellow Soroptimists in Warsaw for a cultural exchange weekend in June. The visit coincided with the 200th anniversary of Chopin’s birth, and a highlight of the weekend was going to an al fresco Chopin concert in Royal Lazienski Park. The members who went would thoroughly recommend anyone to go on a sightseeing trip to Warsaw “it’s a really lovely city with so much to see, and everyone made us feel so welcome” said Jean Eaton one of the Soroptimists who lives in Redbourn. The trip was organised by Wanda Bristow, a member who created and manages the friendship link with Soroptimists in Warsaw. Wanda was from Warsaw originally, she is a qualified interpretor for the Polish language, and has lived in St Albans for more than 25 years.  Sally Bear (the club’s well travelled mascot) is pictured here listening to the Chopin concert in front of