Soroptimist International
Programme Director Hilary Ratcliffe has been made an “Officer of the Order of
the British Empire” (OBE) in the UK
Honours List this week, recognising her achievements in promoting gender
equality around the world.  The UK
Honours system recognises outstanding people for achievements in a range of
fields, with various levels of award.  Awards
are announced twice a year, at New Year and on the Queen’s official birthday in
June.

“This is a wonderful accolade for
you, for your commitment to this cause and for the work undertaken by the
International Programme Team”, writes International President Ann Garvie in a
message of congratulation.

Hilary has inspired countless
Soroptimists around the world to get involved in local, national and
international projects to improve the lives of women and girls.

“When Hilary takes to the stage
at conferences, Soroptimists are moved to get up and do something to change the
world”, says SI’s Head of Programme and Advocacy, Reilly Dempsey. “She is truly
an agent of change, working both behind the scenes and in the public domain to
improve the lives of women and girls all over the world”.

As International Programme
Director, Hilary leads Soroptimist International’s advocacy and policy work at
the UN and other international forums, speaking up for women and girls and representing
the voices of around 80,000 Soroptimists in 130 countries and territories
worldwide. She provides guidance and inspiration for thousands of on-the-ground
Soroptimist projects to educate, empower and enable opportunities for women and
girls, helping to share good practice across the world, while developing global
policies and position statements based on the experience of Soroptimists worldwide.

A Soroptimist since 1980, Hilary is
an active member of her local club in St Albans, UK. She served the SI Great
Britain and Ireland Federation as Assistant Programme Director for Education
and Federation Programme Director, before being appointed as International
Programme Director in 2011. She was elected to serve a further two-year term as
IPD in 2013.

Alongside her voluntary work as
International Programme Director, Hilary works as a freelance tour guide in
London and the South East of England; she is a trained City of London Guide,
Blue Badge Guide and St Albans City Guide. Before this, she spent many years as
a teacher of history in secondary schools and further education colleges and
was also responsible for providing pastoral support and personal and social
education to sixth form students.

Last week’s list also includes 6
honours for contributions to the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI),
which led to the Global
Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in London last week. Angelina
Jolie receives an honorary Damehood for her campaigning work in this field and
there are OBEs for Brigid Inder, Executive Director, Women’s Initiatives for
Gender Justice, Madeleine Rees, Secretary General, Women’s International League
for Peace and Freedom, Robert Williams, Chief Executive, War Child and Emma
Hopkins, Head of PSVI at the Foreign Office. There is also an MBE for Dr Ingrid
Elliott, International Criminal Lawyer.