16 Days of Activism Days of intensive campaigning by Soroptimists all over the world.  The aim: to raise awareness and lead to action about all the ways in which women are exploited and abused. Safety of Women in Surrey On Wednesday 20 November 2024 Surrey Soroptimists hosted a one-day conference to explore the safety of women and girls living and working in Surrey. The event brought together expert speakers and representatives of 40 organisations in Surrey. The main speakers were:  Professor Susan Edwards, Professor of Law, University of Northumbria, Newcastle; Sarah Mullen, Former Chair, Respect (UK charity stopping perpetrators of domestic abuse);  Gill Kirkman, Assistant Professor in Social Work, UK Country Director of the None in Three academic research project; Lisa Townsend, Surrey Police & Crime Commissioner;  Chris Green OBE, Co-Founder, Male Allies Challenging Sexism, Founder, White Ribbon ; Caroline Hill, Surrey Police Stalking Adviser;  Daisy Anderson,

October Social Meeting SI Woking monthly Social Meetings are always an opportunity for members to socialise in a relaxed atmosphere, But the more serious challenges that concern all Soroptimists are never far away.  Our collection of store cupboard items to give to Your Sanctuary this month is a reminder that there are always new victims of domestic violence in Surrey.  If they leave home in a hurry, they will need help immediately.  Woking Soroptimists donate food and toiletries to cover those first, difficult days. And our speaker, Maggie A Hussein, of the University of Kingston London,  brought the plastics crisis into focus.  She has a background of music and legal studies, and now specialises in environmental law.  Her thoughts on how plastic, hailed as a wonder material when it was invented, has now become a monster difficult to control, led to some lively discussion. It

Contact Cards The Contact Cards designed and introduced by SI Woking, are now available in some libraries across Surrey. Woking Library has them, but you can also contact us to get one. Working in a Man’s World Kim Webb started our new programme of speakers off  this month.  Her talk  on “Working In A Man’s World” was lively, interesting and thought provoking. Highly diverting but much to mull over. Members of SI Woking brought bags of store cupboard items to the May Social Meeting.  They will be donated to Your Sanctuary.  The charity will then give food to victims of domestic violence who have fled their home. Welcome, Soroptimists! President Fiona officially welcomed new members Jane and Joy to SI Woking at our May Social Meeting. Our Club is growing, helping us to do more in the community and for women and girls.  

Skittles and Lunch with Shifa We renewed our friendship with the ladies of Shifa at the end in November.  Once again we were at St Andrew’s Church for a get-together.  We were very impressed with the ability of the Shifa ladies to play skittles – we suspect they played a lot of cricket at school! And their food was delicious.

Orange the World 25 September 2023 – Soroptimists were at Squires Café and Garden Centre in Woking to draw attention to the violence suffered by women and girls. Thank you, Squires, for the welcome and support you gave us!   On the 25fh of the month we are raising awareness about the need to reduce violence against women and girls – so much in the local and national news at the moment. Look for the women dressed in orange – and join them for a chat! New Soroptimist International logo The cover picture for our September news show the new Soroptimist International logo.  Adopted at the recent global Soroptimist International conference in Dublin, it brings us right up to date! Fundraising event Advance notice: Woking Soroptimists are organising an event to raise funds for Appeer.  This Surrey-based organisation meets an important need.  It helps autistic

New Woking – New Soroptimist Year The new Woking is emerging with the opening of Victoria Place.  The atrium with its shops and bowling alley is an exciting addition to the shopping centre. New beginnings are definitely in the air, with the new town development, the start of Spring and a new Soroptimist year on the horizon. Horsell Scrubbers If you want to meet an inspiring bunch of people, get in touch with Woking’s Horsell Scrubbers !  Leader Claire Ingham – just elevated to ‘Eminent Citizen of Woking for her work – started the group during the Covid-19 pandemic when NHS staff needed scrubs and kit.  Now that there is less need for those items, Horsell Scrubbers has turned to community sewing and help with sewing and repairs.  Check out their great programme of workshops. Action4Women A timely topic and session! A virtual event with