This week’s SoroptiVoice comes from SIA Past President and SIA Federation Programme Director Sharon Fisher. She is clearly getting excited about the forthcoming SIA convention in Hawaii – we can understand why! So if you are still thinking about going, read on to be convinced!
Every two years, Soroptimist International
of the America’s hosts a convention for members and friends. This July 18, the event will be kicked off
with the traditional Friendship Dinner, where everyone will arrive in the
traditional dress of their country, truly a sight to behold. It visualizes the
internationality that thrives in our Federation. There will be Japanese Kimono’s, Korean
Hanbok dresses, intricate patterns of the Taiwanese fabrics making the
chiang-piao dresses, the Mestiza dresses of the Philippines, Brazilian shawls,
head scarves, and colorful beaded necklaces, blouses & shawls heavily
embroidered with colourful patterns, beads and lace from our Latin America
members and then the more informal dress of Canada in red and white and the
United States in red, white and blue.
For sure it will be a colorful and proud affair as Soroptimist’s watch
the flag of their country or territory presented!
The greeting at this convention will be
"Aloha", as it will be held on the beautiful island of Oahu, in the Hawaiian
Islands – a truly beautiful place to meet.
As with all Federations, we have an open
invite to any Soroptimist from around the world to join us and celebrate the
biennium and learn more about helping women and girls, to live their
dreams. The Federation finalists in our
awards programs will be presented. This
is an inspiring moment as it is the culmination of the work of clubs in 19
countries, recognizing outstanding applicants, first within their club, then at
the region level and finally in July at the Federation level. There will be 3 Woman’s Opportunity Award
finalists and 1 Violet Richardson Award Winner that will be recognized at
luncheons during the convention. These
finalists showcase what happens when women and girls receive an education or
are recognized for leadership opportunities.
We will celebrate success and honor our Region and Federation leadership
as we congratulate those completing their terms and celebrate those committing
to lead for the next term.
President
Alice Wells will join us and share some of her
insight on SI Educate to Lead: Helping Women and Girls. Kathy
LeMay will speak to us about “Voice, Activism and Money: Women Creating the
World We Know is Possible”. Her activism
in the fields of women’s human rights, hunger and poverty relief and movement
building has created funding in the amount of 250 million dollars making a
difference in many lives and the work of many organizations. Jennifer
Newsom, a filmmaker, actress, speaker and advocate for women and girls,
will provide the opening keynote “Where Are All the Smart Girls?! If You Can See It, You Can Be It”. Jennifer Siebel Newsome recently won the
2011 Sundance Film Festival for her documentary “Miss Representation,” which
explores how the media’s misrepresentation of women contributes to the
under-representation of women in positions of power and influence; a topic that
supports the leadership aspect of “Educate to Lead”.
A total of 34 workshops are scheduled
covering topics including leadership development, personal development,
program, membership, public awareness and fundraising.
It won’t be all business and learning so
grab your hula skirt and flower leis and come to the Soroptimist Dance Party! President Pat Donohue and I will be
co-presiding at this 42nd Biennial Convention and would love it if
you would join us. Aloha!
More information is available on the SIA
website: www.soroptimist.org