Soroptimist International
Why do 93,000 women in 3,000 clubs from 125 countries belong to Soroptimist International? Because they want to make a difference in today’s world.
Soroptimist International is a world wide organisation for women in management and the professions, working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women.
Welcome to Soroptimist International of Helena
“What is Soroptimism?” is the first question that we are asked when we as members introduce ourselves as Soroptimists.
The name, Soroptimist, means “best for women” and that’s what the organization strives to achieve. Soroptimists are women at their best, working to help other women to be their best.
The core values are reflected in the vision and mission of Soroptimist International: ‘Soroptimists inspire action and create opportunities to transform the lives of women and girls through a global network of members and international partnerships.’
“How do Soroptimists realize the vision and mission?” is the next question.
We realize our vision and mission through our programme, the projects we undertake, where we work towards ensuring that women and girls enjoy equality, live in safe and healthy environments, have access to education and have leadership and practical skills.
Besides its programme work Soroptimism also exists to build networks and friendship between its members. It is a fantastic challenge to know we have almost 90,000 professional women in 123 countries whom we can trust and have friendship with without considering differences in culture, language or distance.
Soroptimists are deeply concerned about the major issues confronting the world today, such as climate change, world conflicts and how women and girls are affected, poverty and malnutrition, availability of clean water and good sanitation, and a lack of education.
In all those questions we endeavour through our United Nations representatives to call for understanding that gender perspectives be put on the agenda in all new declarations and initiatives, simply because in many countries women and girls continue to be the most vulnerable societal group in the world.
I look forward to meeting with you at our next event.
Regards
Kim Kennedy
President SI Helena 2009-2011
