The name Soroptimist was coined from the Latin soror meaning sister, and optima meaning best. Soroptimist is perhaps best interpreted as ‘the best for women’. From the founding of the first Soroptimist club in Oakland, California, in 1921, through to the present day where over 3000 Clubs are flourishing throughout the world, Soroptimists have continued to strive to achieve ‘the best for women’ in every sphere of their lives. If you would like to join our group or want to consider becoming a Soroptimist, please call Mary on 07886469701, she will be delighted to discuss Soroptomism and SI Stourbridge club with you.  

Hamlin Fistula UK

We are proud to support Hamlin Fistula UK to help mothers through childbirth in rural Ethiopia. The letter below from Helen Marriot CEO, of Hamlin Fistula UK was lovely to read.   Dear Stourbridge & District Soroptimists Members, Thank you for your donation of £709.00 to Hamlin Fistula UK. Your generous gift will help women like Mawardi* deliver their babies safely in rural Ethiopia. Mawardi’s pregnancy was difficult, but she received ante-natal care from Blen, the Hamlin midwife at Boko health centre. When it came time to give birth to baby Hafsa, Mawardi knew she wanted to deliver at the health centre, with support from a trusted health professional. Mawardi said: “I am happy to have a healthy baby and want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Blen for her support during my stay. Her care has made all the difference in my journey to

   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.