Congratulations and best wishes for an enjoyable and productive year to the new Executive team of Soroptimist International Newtown (SINT) following their AGM on the 20th of April, 2024
Seated from L-R: Abena Hartley – Executive Floor Member, Kristy Alexander- Secretary, Marissa Bubb- President, Chevonne Agana- President Elect, Jada-Lee Condappa Lewis- Executive Floor Member
Standing from L-R: Jimmianne Warner- Communications Officer, Nneka St. Rose- Membership Officer, Cherise St. Vincent- Treasurer, Kyra McGowan Santana- Programme Action Officer
SI Newtown was well represented at the SITT 51st AGM on the 28th September, 2024
SITT President Dennise with members of her Soroptimist International Newtown (SINT) Club.
From left to right Marissa Bubb, President of SINT, Chevonne Agana, President Elect, Dennise Demming (SITT President) and Cherise St. Vincent, Treasurer
SI Newtown launched their “Little Free Library Project
“I guess there are never enough books,” a quote by Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist John Steinbeck. A perspective it seems the Newtown Branch of Soroptimist International takes very seriously. The club launched their Little Free Library project on Friday 6th September, 2024,at Nelson Mandela Park, aiming to ensure there’s always a book available to read.
Chevonne Agana, President Elect is interviewed by TTT media personnel at the launch.
SIGBI Day of Action – 13-07-24
For Soroptimist Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) Day of Action 2024, we decided to tackle Period Poverty and issued a call for donations. We partnered with the St Jude’s Home for Girls and made the commitment to assist the school with alleviating some of the burden by providing feminine products for the 70+ teens in their care
With the cash donations we were able to purchase 7 cases of pads and received 3 extra cases and 10 cases of panty liners FREE from Smith Robertson & Company Limited.
We also purchased 72 soaps and deodorants for the young ladies.
All this made possible by our planning committee and generous donations from SINT sisters, their networks and you!!
Thank you all!!
Soroptimist International Newtown held their Programme Action Planning Meeting on Friday 21st June, 2024.
It was energizing, fun, uplifting and very productive!
We all left feeling like we had a good Friday evening lime with sisters who are planning to CHANGE THE WORLD!!
We’re “Ready for the Road” ahead with our Programme Action and we’re very excited for all our upcoming proposed projects!
Thank you ladies for coming out in your numbers and so full of energy and ideas. And of course, thank you to our most gracious Host
SI Newtown – Membership Retreat
As May is Membership Month within Soroptimist International Newtown held our Membership Retreat – “Removing the Titles, Restoring the Sisterhood”, Sunday 18th May.
It was a transformative event that focused on fostering unity and genuine connection among members.
The event invited participants to leave behind professional titles and societal roles to embrace our shared identity as sisters.
Through a series of workshops, team-building exercises, and heartfelt discussions, led by Reanna Ali we explored themes of volunteering, charity, support, and collaboration.
The retreat emphasized the importance of seeing each other beyond external labels, nurturing a deeper sense of camaraderie and mutual respect.
By the end of the retreat, we left with strengthened bonds, renewed spirits, and a collective commitment to maintaining the essence of Soroptimist International in our daily lives.
On Friday evening 10th May 2024, we gathered to empower and uplift our community through strategic planning and sisterhood. Soroptimist International Newtown Trinidad’s first meeting of the fiscal year was a success.
The Female Entrepreneur in a Digital World”
SI Newtown held our “The Female Entrepreneur in a Digital World” International Women’s Day event on Friday at Holy Name Convent with Women Entrepreneurs and Guest Speakers, Afiya Francis and Shari Winchester.
The session was one of how theory and knowledge learnt can be implemented in certain real life situations and practical applications.
The ladies imparted invaluable wisdom and information, tips and guidelines for entrepreneurs and spoke about their own journeys as females in a digital environment.
Key points discussed included how social media and entrepreneurship intersect and key considerations about personal branding authenticity and speaking up as women in industry.
We express our sincere gratitude to Afiya and Shari for their participation as a guest speakers for our event.
SINT welcomes 5 new members
2024 has started off with a BANG!
We not only held our first Business meeting of the year on Friday 12th January, but we also welcomed one of the largest group of new members into SI Newtown Trinidad
Introducing 5 newest members:
Marissa, Jennifer, Termika, Kirsty and Marielle.
Welcome aboard and best wishes to all.
SI Newtown inducts three new members.
Welcoming the newest members of SI Newtown
Three new members were inducted at the AGM held on Saturday 29th April,2023.
From L-R
Jimmianne Warner- New Member, Corina Hernandez Marhue- Immediate Past President, Leslie Anne St louis Taylor-New Member, Cherise St. Vincent -New Member and Candace Nanton- outgoing Membership Officer.
HAMPERS FOR CHRISTMAS
Soroptimist International Newtown packaged and delivered hampers to 17 families for Christmas.
Carersrightsday
Today is carersrightsday and so we highlight the project @sinewtown did for Mental Health Day 2023 – “Caring for the Carers”
Having addressed the needs of these girls in phase 1 of our ‘Butterfly Project,’ a 6 month programme aimed at preparing adolescent girls for adulthood, we decided to now consider the persons with whom they depend on and interact with on a daily basis, the caregivers.
Recognizing the stressful nature of the role of carers within our local homes, while furthering our continued work at St Judes Home for Girls, SI Newtown hosted a workshop for 20 of the home’s caregivers that provided the necessary tools and strategies to manage their physical and mental health.
The workshop consisted of a yoga session, team building exercises and a stress management and mindfulness session.
Pogramme Action Awards-
Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) London Conference 2023
Peace and SDG 5 Gender Equality
Congratulations to Runner up – Soroptimist International Trinidad and Tobago (National Association) Project: Imagine ART Competition
Started by SI Newtown and adopted by the National Association, this competition was a celebration of International Women’s Day, whose theme was #embraceequity. Art pieces were submitted by more than 100 students which were displayed at the National Library of Trinidad and Tobago which saw many members of the general public visiting to view the artwork.
Congratulations to the Winner in the same category – Soroptimist International Salisbury
Project: Making Salisbury Safer
Soroptimist International Newtown Boozy Brunch Fundraiser 2023 event was featured in the Guardian We Magazine on the 29th October, 2023.
Our past, ongoing and future projects were also highlighted.
Special thanks to Dr. Safeeya Mohammed, WE magazine Editor for ensuring our initiatives were highlighted.
SI Newtown Boozy Brunch fundraiser held on the 24th September 2023 was a great success.
The ladies of SI Newtown would like to extend our sincerest gratitude for making our Boozy Brunch fundraiser a huge success !!
Thank you to our sponsors: Angostura, Lauriston Lewis Associates Limited, The Residence, DJ Mazel, Ironside Media
Our fellow Soroptimist International Trinidad and Tobago members
Anyone who purchased or donated a ticket
Your generous donations and support has contributed to the success of our event which will allow us to fund projects aimed at providing women and girls with resources and opportunities to achieve their full potential.
Visit SI Newtown’s Facebook Page to see all the lovely pictures from the Brunch..
SI Newtown Members at the Soroptimist International Trinidad and Tobago National Association AGM on the 9th of September 2023., at the Royal Hotel, San Fernando.
Trinidad delegates at the Soroptimist International convention in Dublin on the 27th to 29th July, 2023.
L-R Sandra Dieffenthaller (SISF) Girlie Sulaman (SIPOS) Renata Ramsaywak-Lalla (SISF), Nalini Rajballie(SIC) Donna Scoon Moses (SIPOS)
and Denise Demming (SINT)
Soroptimist International, Newtown
SIGBI DAY of action 15th July, 2023
To commemorate SIGBI Day of Action which coincided with the United Nations World Youth Skills Day, SI, Newtown hosted a HairCare and SkinCare Workshop for the young women at Sophia House.
World Youth Skills Day is a day to encourage youth to celebrate the value of acquiring skills as a way to achieve personal success and fulfilment.
SI Newtown’s June Business Meeting
For our June Business Meeting we encouraged members to wear green, blue or earth tones as we celebrated World Environment Day and World Oceans Day in the week.
A few participants of the SI Newtown Art competition
Christiana-Li Miguel from Holy Name Convent 2nd place winner from SI Newtown and also in the SITT National judging stands next to her wonderful art piece which shows her creativity and critical thinking in tandem with the theme of the competition.
SITT National Association IMAGINE School Art Competition
Winners of the competition from SI Newtown Club.
SI Newtown initially conceptualized the IMAGINE School art competition which was broadened to the national level with other local SI clubs adopting the project in recognition of International Women’s Day 2023.
Also featured in the Guardian Newspapers was a synopsis of the work done on their Butterfly project.
SI Newtown participated in the SI Friendship Day hosted by SI San Fernando at La Vega, Gran Couva on the 19th of March, 2023. They were all dressed various combinations of attire representing the sixties which was the theme for the event.
Happy International Women’s Day 2023
We can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion.
Collective activism is what drives change. From grassroots action to wide-scale momentum, we can all embrace equity.
Upcoming event: –
SI Newtown Valentine’s Day cupcake fundraiser.
Order yummy cupcakes for your loved ones. Message us to place your order.