NEW NATIONAL PROJECT
Johanna is the new President of Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland Federation. What a privilege and honour it is to be the President especially in our 100th year. (read Johanna M Raffan's full article >>)
63rd. Session of Commission on the Status of Women 2019
Soroptimist International Republic Of Ireland to Host
Soroptimist International Convention in Dublin, July 2023 (details >>)
NWCI welcomed the International Women’s Day ratification of the Istanbul Convention, after a long campaign by women’s groups and organisations including Soroptimists working to end violence against women.
To receive help from the Benevolent Fund, an applicant must have been a member of a Soroptimist Club for at least 3 consecutive years. Assistance is given in the form of grants, either as a one-off payment for a specific need, or as a regular quarterly grant to supplement the beneficiary’s income. The fund does not make loans.
To apply
Application Forms for financial assistance from the Benevolent Fund may be obtained from your Regional Representative, Clare Comerford (Clare.comerford1@gmail.com) or from the Benevolent Fund Secretary (sigbi.benevolentfund@yahoo.co.uk). All information is treated in absolute confidence. The only person with whom the applicant will discuss her circumstances is her Regional Representative, who will help her complete the form and ensure that the reasons for the application is made clear. The form is then sent to the Secretary of the Benevolent Fund.
COVID-19 might have silenced the city that never sleeps, but it hasn't stopped our team of UN Representatives in New York from advocating for women and girls.
I would like to wish every member of Soroptimist International ROI a healthy and safe 2021. As we head into this new year coping with serious health risks from Covid-19 and the implications of lock-down I want you to know we are all in this together and we will get through it. There is a beacon of light and hope for all of us with the roll-out of the vaccine. Hopefully, we will soon be able to have face-to-face meetings with friends and family. In the meantime, I urge you all to stay at home and be as careful as you can.
Plans for the Centennial Year of Soroptimist International are continuing albeit without certainty. Plans can be made, and arrangements put in place for our ‘Tree Planting’ events for later in the year.
We will continue to focus on our National Project ‘Planet and Environment’, working in partnership with An Taisce as ‘Climate Ambassadors’ to improve the environment in our local area. Let us be aware of the small things which make a difference e.g how much disposable plastic we are using in our homes, look at use of cling film, tin foil and other single use items etc.
We can still ‘Stay Connected’. I urge all our clubs to continue to embrace the virtual world and continue to have your club meetings – when the business of the meeting is complete please take the opportunity for a chat and a sharing of news before logging off. If any clubs have arranged guest speakers, please feel free to let other clubs know and perhaps invite members for the session. The ‘WhatsApp’ groups continue to be a good method of maintaining contact. However, it should not replace the ‘phone call’ and I urge members who are feeling lonely and alone to please consider phoning a friend or another member. I would like to encourage members to consider making a call to a fellow Soroptimist whom you may know less well. The Soroptimist mailings which are circulated regularly by your club secretary are worth reading and give a snapshot of what is going on within our Federation. The soroptimist websites are also a good source of information.
While we must stay at home during this period of global pandemic lets spare a thought for others. For us home is generally a safe place, but it is not the same for all women. Many are confined with no possible method of escape.
I would like to quote the following from Anna Wszelaczynska, President SI Europe ‘May we always look for the silver lining in times of duress, appreciate the goodness in people and despite the uncertainty, know there is hope and resilience in the world’.
Congratulations to the National Programme Action Committee on the award of Climate Action Ambassador to Soroptimist International ROI for our current National Project which focusses on environmental work.
Each Club will decide for itself precisely what action to take, but all will support the Sustainable Development Goals.
Bray Club hosted an information meeting, facilitated by Sile O'Flaherty from Athlone and attended by Soroptimists, local politicians and members of Rotary.. The purpose of the evening was to stress how everyday actions and choices impact on Climate change.
Due to an overwhelming response to our virtual platform and Parallel Event application, we have opened registrations for becoming a NGO CSW65 Virtual Forum Advocate for free!
"The value of any social movement is having everyone moving in the same direction toward common goals. We can be the messenger that brings the complex global issues facing women and girls into focus and aligns them with the programme work of Soroptimist International (SI)." (more...)
Through their Programme Action, Soroptimists in Ireland are ‘on the road’ with International President, Sharon, on her journey to find and empower women and girls who are left behind. Full reports of our activities can be discovered on Club and Reports pages, but three of the current projects are shown below – considering action for Older People, to prevent FGM and to intervene in the pressing problem of climate change.
Mary Kerr
National President
Who Is She? – Showcasing Soroptimists for the Centenary
To celebrate thefirst centenary of Soroptimist International,
what better way to raise the profile of the Organisation, than to identify 100 Soroptimists past and present who have made a noteworthy contribution to society.
These amazing women will be ‘Celebrated’ by publishing their biographies on Wikipedia, clearly noting prominently in the piece that they are/were members of Soroptimist International.
Clubs from ROI have made suggestions for past and present members to join this elite group; Five have reached the shortlist and we are delighted to show them below:
Mildred O'Brien,
SI Bray.
We are very pleased to announce that Mildred O'Brien has been chosen as one of the first women to be nominated for the centenary list.
Judith Ironside, SI Ennis & District, is among the women selected for the second month of this promotion.
Anne Kavanagh, SI Dublin, who is among the women selected for the third month of the centenary list.
Dr. Patricia McCaul-Collins
SI Drogheda has been selected for the fourth month of the centenary list.
It is my great pleasure to announce that President Tess Hogan SI Cork (above) has been invited as a VIP guest to a reception at the House of Lords in May 2021, as part of the Soroptimist Centenary celebrations. Tess's name has been drawn with one other from the names of Soroptimists who are being recognised by the #WhoIsShe? Campaign to celebrate our centenary.
Catherine Giblin, immediate past president.
How do I join Soroptimist International Republic of Ireland?
We welcome new members to all our clubs. If you're interested in joining please go to"Contact" at the top of the page.
We will forward your enquiry to the club nearest to you, who in turn will contact and meet you to inform you about soroptimism; our goals, our work, our meetings, as well as our many social activities.
Soroptimists inspire action and create opportunities to transform the lives of women and girls through a global network of members and partnerships
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