We are 100!
📣 This October, Soroptimist International celebrated its 100th Birthday…
Soroptimists from around the world joined together for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to gather ‘virtually’ to celebrate 100 years of Soroptimist International as a Global Voice for Women.
Taking place from 1-3 October 2021 the two-day ‘surprise-filled’ event delivered exceptional speakers, world-wide celebrations, break out sessions, together with astonishing and important stories of our organisation’s impact in transforming the lives of women and girls.
Dawn Marie Lemonds has kindly put her thoughts down for us on her experience and highlights. We would like to thank you all for coming and everyone who gave their time, energy, and insight in order to make this the truly memorable event it deserved to be!
by Dawn Marie Lemonds
“My Top Takeaways from this historic SI 100th Anniversary Celebration”
Introduction/acknowledgements/apologies
I have simply been astonished this past week, revelling in the memory of the historic 100th Anniversary Celebration delivered to us by Soroptimist International from 1-3 October 2021. I am taking the liberty of the power of pen to memorialise my greatest memories of the event….and apologise for many highlights that I may have missed out.
I like constructing brief reflections on events because it allows me to focus, and I encourage other participants to write down their own reflections. I want to acknowledge those who made this happen at the beginning both in front of the scenes and behind: the inspiration and leadership of SI President Sharon Fisher, with the amazing, tireless, positive assistance of Sue Riney and Nathan the Producer, our SIHQ staff who led the social media work, the 100th Anniversary Celebration Committee who participated in every phase of the planning and encouraged attendance, the Breakout Facilitators, and co-hosts who led the zoom meetings, the Sponsors, the SI Board, and finally, every participant whose very presence made this event truly international. It took a global village and WE WERE IT! Look what members can do when given the chance to participate, contribute, envision and create! So here are my top takeaways.
- INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIP- Members were at the centre of this entire two-day 8-hour experience. We literally met members from every part of the world and had almost 4,000 registered attendees from more than 100 countries. It was clear that we are INTERNATIONAL and have been for almost all of our 100 years! We are women and a few men, working for women and girls to reach full human rights and inclusion in every part of the world.
- CELEBRATION– Members are enthusiastic about being a Soroptimist! Around the globe PEACE CANDLE CEREMONIES were conducted at clubs and shared through social media. ‘Greetings’ rang in numerous languages with many glasses, candles, and cups raised high in celebration of our centenary. Members are loud and engaged, proud of the work that SI has done around the world for women. Of the many messages sent and broadcasted the first came from a member who holds public office in the Philippines – urging us to continue our work – now more than ever, with the effects of the pandemic negatively impacting the lives of women and girls. “We must be bound by our cause and become our own heroes”.
- BRIGHT PAST– Our history as an organisation has been told so many times and we keep learning more about the daring women who started this organisation in Alameda County, Oakland, 100 years ago, with the initial idea of creating an organisation for business and professional women to support each other and the key needs in their communities. One hundred years on and we now have a presence in 121 countries and 3,000 communities around the world. Literally hundreds of thousands of women have been members and many lives have been changed. There are so many ‘heroines’ of the Soroptimist movement that I do not dare attempt to name them for fear of leaving others out; their names and legacy are written in the history books. The work they did to reach out, creating Soroptimist clubs with focus and purpose began 100 years ago and continues now. The gift of membership remains relevant, representing the diversity and inclusivity in our communities, and our focus on the challenges still to be overcome by women and girls.
- DIVERSITY OF WORK – How fascinating is it to learn about the enormous range of work that has been done for women by Soroptimists over the years, covering almost every area affecting women and girls. Each of our five federations showcased the work of their countries and regions – some having taken human rights as their main cause, others education and economic empowerment, and others – climate related issues. A strong case was made that Soroptimists should remain focused on efforts that have a positive measurable impact on women and girls, reducing the projects less relevant to our organisation’s mission and goals.
- PRESIDENT’S APPEALS AND QUADRENNIAL PROJECTS – It was so impressive to hear from Past International Presidents about the projects they inspired and took on, including: Obstetric Fistula in Ethiopia; Solar power for education access in Africa; Birthing Clinics in Papua New Guinea; Education for trafficked orphans in Vietnam; Anti landmine work in Afghanistan; Rebuilding and Recovery from earthquake impact in Nepal; and the pursuit of remedying many human rights violations through the Road to Equality action and projects. We also learned of many Quadrennial Projects including my favourite – one I led for four years – Project Independence working with Women Survivors of War, Project Sierra in Sierra Leone, and Project Siam in Thailand. Every one of the projects were fully supported by members around the world and were implemented through member support, starting each year on 10 December, Human Rights Day.
- KEYNOTES – INSPIRING AND CHALLENGING- Four Keynote presentations were part of the two-day event. Each followed a short (10-15 minutes) programme, and was directed at our international audience by long time partners that we have worked with.
SOON YOUNG YOON from Korea was the NGO 4th World Conference Organiser for the event held in Beijing in 1995 where 50,000 participants from 189 countries came together and I was lucky to be one of them! “Look at the world through women’s eyes”. The legacy of this event continues with the Beijing Platform of Action being the preeminent document for women’s issues still.
KIM BOGUCKI a former police officer- presented the second Keynote- a riveting presentation on Women and Prisons. It was fascinating to learn that the reason for women being in prison is differs greatly from why men are incarcerated. The IF PROJECT was established to redirect women/girls from prison and support their recovery from incarceration. Kim shared that she had received 10,000 responses to the question “IF there was something that could have been done that would have prevented you from going into jail – what would it be?” – with many respondents saying that mentorship, someone listening, and believing in them, or directing them to resources, would have helped make a difference.
EMILIA REYES -An activist from Mexico gave us inspiring ideas about taking on important work. “Join the feminist movement to build comprehensive transformation for a healthy planet, we need to make systemic and real substantial transformation, we are not alone. Change comes from solidarity between and with all types of actors in civil society, government, business, and communities. We need to Dream Bigger – Engage in advocacy.”
Finally, we heard from CELESTE MERGENS of the Days for Girls organisation. Celeste made it clear that her work came from listening to and really seeing the people she wanted to help. Her mantra had this philosophy: “I am not what you see. We are not our circumstances. We are we what we choose. What you tell yourself matters. It matters how you see things and how it comes into focus.” Celeste has taken the cause of menstrual supplies as a cause that will change the world for girls in cultures where menstruation stigmatises girls, causing them to miss school, be isolated, and treated as pariahs. Days for Girls has created reusable menstrual supplies for millions of girls, working with women in the communities and other volunteers around the globe. Days for Girls is also teaching men to be part of the solution. “By changing the stigma and lifting girls up, they can be part of the power of change.”
- SUCCESS STORIES – In addition to hearing from our 5 Federations, and about SI led projects, there were a few highlighted programmes that inspired members – both in the importance of the work we do, and the opportunities available to replicate projects in their own areas. We were fascinated with the Italian project for women, the Philippine Women’s Help Desks, and the Vancouver Canada Housing projects to name just a few. There was no time to showcase every project in our history, but it was clear that what was shown was simply the tip of the iceberg regarding the astonishing difference our projects and programmes make to women and girls around the world. Many of the projects shown have continued for years, transforming, and evolving as needs became different with the times.
- DISCUSSION GROUPS IN SIX LANGUAGES – About 75-80 discussion groups were held by Soroptimists at the end of each three-hour session, giving participants the opportunity to speak in their own language and address common themes. Members had a truly international experience discussing ideas, asking questions, and giving suggestions for common challenges. The breakout groups lasted just one hour- but- often many members stayed online to continue their discussions, happy to engage with each other.
- UNITED NATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS – Since 1948 Soroptimists have been involved with the United Nations holding general consultative status. This status is one that is only held by less than 200 NGOs and is earned due to the work we do and have done consistently working towards achieving UN priorities- specifically the UN Sustainable Development Goals (2030 Goals). Soroptimist volunteer representatives to the United Nations serve at seven agencies and work in partnership with other NGOs to advance work for women and girls and reveal work that is being done. SI invests resources to continue this important relationship which help us determine our advocacy priorities and project work.
OUR WORK IS NOT DONE – EDUCATE, ENABLE, EMPOWER are the power words for Soroptimists, and need to continue to be! Our work is relevant, and our path takes on ‘Awareness, Advocacy and Action’ working in every area impacting women and girls. Make your work count and count the IMPACT of your work.
Dawn Marie is Past SIA President 2017-18, past SI Board Member 2018-2020, past SI Programme Director 2007-2012, Member of SI Newport Harbor Area since 1982.
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