by Catherine Heiner, Publicity Officer, SI Bayside

“SI Australian President, Ralda Forzin, participated in the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR), raising the baton high for Australian Soroptimists. The Queen’s Baton arrived at the Opening Ceremony of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games last Wednesday.

Photo: Ralda Forzin participated in the Queen’s Baton Relay, raising the baton for Soroptimists on the world stage.

Having just returned from New York, Ralda attended the UN Commission on the Status of Women, along with other Soroptimists, as NGO delegates. In being chosen for the QBR, Ralda was recognised for her volunteer work both locally and on the national level. Raising awareness of domestic violence issues through the Rosie Batty Roadshow which toured Australian capital cities last year, Ralda also  prepared and distributed an educational CD to teach indigenous history in Queensland schools. Another of her initiatives was ‘Lighting the Way to Climate Justice’, where she encouraged members and friends to offset their carbon emissions when travelling, by purchasing solar lanterns for remote communities in Papua New Guinea. To date some 700 lanterns have been distributed to households across Papua New Guinea.

Prior to her walk, Ralda was interviewed by Channel 7 News Reporter, Marlena Watt, who asked what keeps her motivated to be a Soroptimist. Ralda responded, “As a member of this organisation, I believe I can continue to make an impact on the lives of women and girls.”

We commend Ralda for shining the light on Soroptimist International on the world stage”.