In the gardens named in her honor stands a statue of Mary Macarthur, the Scottish suffragist and trades unionist who led women chain-makers on strike to raise the minimum wage in Cradley Heath. Mary Macarthur (1880-1921) was born in Glasgow. She was Glasgow Girls’ High School newspaper editor and aspired to become a writer. In her early 20s, as a reporter for a local newspaper in Ayr, she attended a Shop Assistants’ Union meeting. Impressed by their values, she joined the union. Within a year, she got elected as the Union president in Scotland and became the first female representative on the Union’s National Executive. The following year, she moved to London and was appointed Secretary of the Women’s Trade Union League. At 26, Macarthur founded the National Federation of Women Workers, Britain’s Anti-Sweating League, and a newspaper for women trade unionists called Women

SI Stourbridge are pleased to contribute to the Black Country Food Bank, here are the donations for December. Thank you to all  

Club members at the MAR meeting in Kenilworth today, with Orange part of the 16 days of activism. You can find out more about the 16 days of activism here https://sigbi.org/2025/16-days-activism/

Members from Stourbridge were inspired by their attendance at our national conference in October. Here are a few photos of the team and a link to the blogs and agenda for conference which you may find useful.   Saturday 1 November 2025 – Workshop Blogs      

Soroptimist Ann Middleton has written this article for her Parish magazine, you can click on the link to read a snapshot of Program Action activities Stourbridge group are doing now.   Taking positive action to improve the lives of women and girls    

Everyone from SI Stourbridge extends their warmest congratulations and best wishes to Soroptimist Sue Haywood who was ordained as a Deacon at Worcester Cathedral on 28th September.      

We have three books to select and discuss informally in October. Wild Swans by Jung Chang and for those that have already read Wild Swans, the sequel “Fly Wild Swans’ has been selected. The third book is Six Weeks By The Sea by Paula Byrne. You will be welcome to join in our discussion or just join us to say hello, either way you are welcome. Please contact Mary Tooley on 07886469701 and I will ensure you have the login details.                    

Linda Sanders and team have been watering and weeding the Soroptimist baskets and tubs to keep them looking gorgeous during our beautiful Summer. Thank you to all

Fifty Soroptmists from Stourbridge and Wrekin with their friends had a wonderful time at our Summer party. The weather was perfect and the saxophonist added to a wonderful atmosphere. Thanks go to Lunch On The Run for supplying an afternoon tea and of course to Linda sanders who hosted this wonderful event.  A profit of £1200 pounds was raised for our charities, including our local food bank. Thanks to all who contributed to this very special afternoon.   Here is a selection of photos of our Summer Party