Soroptimist International is delighted to announce that  Yvonne
Simpson from the Federation of South West Pacific has been elected as International President 2015-2017.  Yvonne will take up her post as President-Elect on 1st January
2014 and will succeed President Ann Garvie at the SI Convention in Istanbul in July 2015.

Yvonne  has been a member of SI Westland, New Zealand since 1996. Inspired by a visit to a Soroptimist project in Bosnia in 2004, she
made a strong commitment to actively improve the lives of women and girls, with Soroptimist
programme and membership her particular passions. Her most recent programme work is as SISWP Federation
Project Liaison for “Birthing in the Pacific”.

Professionally, Yvonne’s focus is on educational opportunities to
empower high school students to reach their potential and includes
international experience, careers and trades education. She has also had
extensive experience in the provision of adult community education.

Her vision is for a growing organisation that is dynamic – where younger
professional women want Soroptimist training and the opportunity to serve.

President Ann writes: 

"I offer you, Yvonne, my warmest congratulations; your experience within
the organisation and the wealth of your life’s knowledge will be invaluable to
the organisation as we face the global challenges of
poverty and injustice".

"You have illustrated your strength of leadership
globally; few Federation Presidents have had to re-arrange their Federation’s
Convention because of an earthquake, but in Christchurch you
showed initiative and ‘went by rail’. In addition, in partnership with
International President Alice you launched the International President’s Appeal
Birthing in the Pacific 2011-2013, the outcome of which is a credit to
Alice, yourself, your Federation and to the global membership.

"I pay tribute to Past International President
Alice for her leadership, commitment, dedication and panache as our International
President, I offer Alice my sincere thanks and appreciation as a leader and a
friend and I am absolutely certain that every member of Soroptimist
International whose life you touched will agree with my sentiments and will
cherish your time in office.  Alice, I thank you for your
dedication."

Image: Yvonne Simpson speaking at an SI event at the Commission on the Status of Women in 2012.