Image L-R: President of SI  Milan Fondatore, Francesca Tinelli di Gorla, Soroptimist International President Yvonne Simpson and President Elect Elena Demarziani, SI Venezia-Mestre.

by Soroptimist International President Yvonne Simpson

"It’s a long way from New Zealand to New York and
so when I looked at the world map and saw how ‘close’ Europe was, I
could feel a tug of excitement that I was close to Jerusalem, and the charter
of their very special club.

As CSW60 drew to a close on 24 March, and I continued my travels, Easter followed and nearly defeated me as I knew it was such an important time for family. However, it turned out
to be an exciting opportunity because of a friendship that started at the Soroptimist
Leadership Academy at Lake Ohrid, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in
2014. GianCarla Portieri

and I happened to meet there and had kept in touch.

 

Image L-R: Yvonne Simpson with GianCarla Portieri

I stayed with GianCarla and was privileged to
have the added opportunity to get to know members of her club, SI Venice Mestre

. .. Elisabetta,
Daniella, Paola, Gabriella, Fabiana, Antonia, Nadia, Mariestella, and more who
are now ‘real people’ who bring a smile to my face, as I remember the time that we shared. It
was much more than Venice they shared with me. It was their time and their
friendship.

My birthday was also a joy. New Zealand is twelve
hours ahead and so I shared a special dinner with GianCarla and Marida. My husband, Richard
arrived from New Zealand and this was an additional bonus. The following evening was
my birthday, again, but in an Italian timezone and I could celebrate all over
again! This time Soroptimists from Milan were in attendance too and so I had the pleasure of getting to
know more wonderful and warm women.

 

Image L-R: Antonella Danesin of SI Venezia-Mestre with Yvonne Simpson

A real highlight for me was the special evening
on 2 April where 80 Italian Soroptimists from 18 clubs joined together in the Hotel Aman,
overlooking the famous Grand Canal. We came together in friendship and to
induct a new member, and I shared with them the story of the New Zealand
Soroptimist cloak, our SI work at CSW and the SI Presidents Appeal. They shared
with me their joy of being a Soroptimist.

 

Image: International President Yvonne Simpson with Paola DeNobili, inducted into SI
Venezia-Mestre

GianCarla accompanied me to Rome where I met
with our SI UN Representative, Liliana Mosca and I also had the unexpected privilege
of meeting with Annamaria Isastia, Immediate Past President of the Italian Union. Two dedicated
Soroptimists.

 

Image L-R: Yvonne Simpson with Neri Mason, Venezia-Mestre

Friendship is a precious benefit of being a
Soroptimist. It gives us the opportunity to connect with like-minded women. Our
shared values make connecting easier, and I can understand why Soroptimists
attend Conventions, and join Facebook groups in order to stay in touch and share ideas and successes.

Everyday is Friendship Day. Friendship is a
positive relationship – a glue that binds us. Combine it with Programme and Advocacy
and we have the formula for future growth. I wish all Soroptimists the
experience of Friendship that was afforded me through GianCarla and the
Soroptimists form Northern Italy and Rome".

Yvonne Simpson, SI President.