Our Vision & Mission
Vision – Women and girls will achieve their individual and collective potential, realising aspirations with an equal voice to create strong, peaceful communities worldwide.
Mission – Soroptimists transform the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities.
Objectives & Principles
In order to guide our behaviour and activities, we observe and apply the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and, in particular, the Convention to End all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) as well as the Beijing Platform for Action and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
To succeed in these endeavours, we:
Treat all with
dignity and respect
Remain
non-sectarian
Don’t have any party-political affiliation
Work with all who
share our objectives
You can see all of Soroptimist International’s “Where We Stand”
statements on the SI International Website.
Our History & Centenary
The Soroptimist Name – The name Soroptimist was coined from the Latin soror meaning sister, and optima meaning best. In this way, Soroptimist means ‘the best for women’. From the founding of the first Soroptimist club in Oakland, California, in 1921, through to the present day where over 3000 clubs are flourishing throughout the world, Soroptimists have continued to strive to achieve ‘the best for women’ in every sphere of their lives.
History – In 1921 the first Soroptimist club was founded in Oakland, California. The Founder President was Violet Richardson Ward. In 1934 the Federation of Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI) was founded and has thrived over the past 60+ years.
Soroptimist International Centenary 2021
Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) together with Soroptimists from across the world joined together to celebrate 100 years of Soroptimist International (SI) and celebrate a ‘Bright Past’ and a ‘Brilliant Future’. To find out more Click Here.
Soroptimists Ireland
We have 15 active Clubs in the Republic of Ireland and our current National President
is Anne O’Sullivan from SI Castlebar. Anne takes up the role of the 2024/25 year.
Presidents Address
Is onóir agus pribhléid mór dom a bheith i gceannas mar Uachtarán Soroptimists Idirnáisiúnta na hÉireann (SIROI) an bhliain seo 2024-2025.
It is a wonderful honour and a privilege for me to assume the position of President of Soroptimists International ROI. Soroptimism in Ireland has a rich history of service of contributing to and upholding the betterment of the lives of women and girls. I walk in the shoes of former wonderful presidents. This is a privilege I don’t take lightly, and I am both humbled and inspired by the trust Soroptimists in Ireland have placed in me. I’m committed to doing my very best with the strength and support of each one of you by my side.
As I begin this journey, I am guided by an Irish saying that holds deep meaning for me: “Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine.” Literally, it reminds us that “People live in each other’s shadows”, “under the shelter of each other, people survive” but more broadly, invokes a sense of community and interconnection/interdependence. This beautiful phrase speaks to the heart of what we do as Soroptimists. We rely on each other, we are stronger together, supporting and uplifting each other, and finding strength in our shared purpose.
My journey with Soroptimists— in working with the members of my home club, Castlebar, especially through my work as National Public Speaking Convener, as part of the National Executive and in recent years working with immediate past president Aisling and President-elect Siobhán —has prepared me in so many ways for this role. These experiences have shown me the strength of our organisation and how much we achieve when we come together. This year, I hope to bring us back to that sense of unity—learning, growing, and engaging with one another as we work toward our shared goals.
I believe that Soroptimism has unrealised potential and I hope to play my part in unlocking it and building for the future. While there is a lot to do, we also have a lot to celebrate and build upon. I look forward to working with our National Executive, with members in all of our clubs and in our wider communities to guide the Organisation into the future. I am filled with excitement for the year ahead and cannot wait to see what we can accomplish together. Thank you all for your encouragement, your support, and, above all, your commitment to our Soroptimist mission.
With warmest regards,
Anne O’Sullivan
Immediate Past President – Aisling Nolan
Aisling held the President’s Office in 2023/24.
She remarked on the occasion of concluding office “This weekend marks the end of my unforgettable journey as National President of Soroptimist International Republic of Ireland, and what a journey it has been! The Soroptimists are a global network of women committed to empowering and supporting women and girls. Through grassroots projects, advocacy, and community-building, we work to create positive change at both local and international levels.
In my year as President, I had the honor of visiting 8 clubs across the country, participating in a variety of events – from Girls’ Conferences and Nollaig na mBan celebrations to International Women’s Day gatherings. I was privileged to attend 3 regional public speaking finals and a national final, bring women together at our North-South Conference, and speak at Collins Barracks on the grassroots movement for women’s empowerment. Alongside these events, I was interviewed on both local and national media, chaired our National Association meetings, and helped raise crucial funds and support for domestic violence shelters for women.
It has been a busy, rewarding year filled with friendships, growth, and constant inspiration. Each experience taught me something new and deepened my gratitude for our community and our mission.”
I was delighted to hand over the chain of office to my trusted “right-hand lady,” the wonderful Anne O’Sullivan. Anne’s grace, warmth, and dedication make her the perfect leader for our next chapter. I look forward to supporting her as she steps into this role and embracing my new “emeritus” status alongside her.
Thank you to all who have shared this journey with me, and here’s to many more achievements for Soroptimist International Republic of Ireland!
Past Presidents
| Year | Name | Club |
| 1966/67 | Doris McNamara | Limerick (Fed. Pres.) |
| 1967/68 | Beatrice Grosvenor | Killarney |
| 1968/69 | Mary McAuliffe | |
| 1969/70 | Carmel Frost | Carlow |
| 1970/71 | Gladys McAuliffe | Cork |
| 1971/72 | Mary N. Watson | Sligo |
| 1972/73 | Maura Power | Ennis |
| 1973/74 | Rita de Vere | Ballina |
| 1974/75 | Mai O’Shea | Killarney |
| 1975/76 | Kathleen Mulcahy | |
| 1976/77 | Mary Fitzgerald | Waterford |
| 1977/78 | Margo McGill | Dublin |
| 1978/79 | Muriel Bowers | Cork (Fed. Pres.) |
| 1979/80 | Angela Cahir | Ennis |
| 1980/81 | Anne McNamara | Sligo |
| 1981/82 | Mildrid O’Brien | Dun Laoghaire |
| 1982/83 | Alice King | Tralee & District |
| 1983/84 | Maire Roche | Fingal |
| 1984/85 | Ann Kavanagh | Dublin |
| 1985/86 | Rona Connolly | Drogheda |
| 1986/87 | Eilish Smith | Clonmel |
| 1987/88 | Sylvia Morrow | Limerick |
| 1988/89 | Monica Barry | Sligo |
| 1989/90 | Judith Ironside | Ennis |
| 1990/91 | Treassa Moore | Galway |
| 1991/92 | Theresa O’Doherty | Naas / Newbridge (Fed. Cllr.) |
| 1992/93 | Eithne Fitzgerald | Dublin |
| 1993/94 | Noeline Cummins | Ballina |
| Year | Name | Club |
| 1994/95 | Eileen Herlihy | Wexford (Fed. Cllr.) |
| 1995/96 | Tess Hogan | Cork (Fed. Cllr.) |
| 1996/97 | Mary McMahon | Ennis (Fed. Cllr.) |
| 1997/98 | Betty White | Dun Laoghaire |
| 1998/99 | Patricia Tyrrell | Naas / Newbridge |
| 1999/00 | Mona Looney | Killarney |
| 2000/01 | Mona Looney / Margaret Heffernan | Killarney / Sligo |
| 2001/02 | Margaret Heffernan | Sligo |
| 2002/03 | Aine Brady | North Kildare |
| 2003/04 | Catherine O’Sullivan | Naas / Newbridge |
| 2004/05 | Carmel Schmidt | Drogheda (Fed. Cllr.) |
| 2005/06 | Anne Jackson | Cork |
| 2006/07 | Theresa McCarthy | Bandon |
| 2007/08 | Pat McHugh | Bray |
| 2008/09 | Kay Brophy | North Kildare |
| 2009/10 | Patricia Braiden | Athlone |
| 2010/11 | Rosalie Byrne-Muir | Ennis |
| 2011/12 | Barbara Harrison | Wexford |
| 2012/13 | Anne O’Driscoll | Tralee & District |
| 2013/14 | Noreen Walsh | Castlebar |
| 2014/15 | Margaret Geraghty | Drogheda |
| 2015/16 | Sarah McCormack | Mullingar |
| 2016/17 | Maria Finnegan | Ballinasloe |
| 2017/18 | Teresa Irwin | Killarney |
| 2018/19 | Darina Dolan | Athlone |
| 2019/20 | Catherine Giblin | Dublin |
| 2020/21 | Mary Kerr | Wexford |
| 2021/22 | Miriam Murphy-Wood | Bandon |
| 2022/23 | Eadaoin Lawlow | Wexford |
| 2023/24 | Aisling Nolan | North Kildare |
Our History
The Belfast Club was the first Irish club founded in 1932 with the Dublin club following in 1938. It was agreed that the title should be “The Divisional Union of Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland”.
From 1944 onwards Soroptimism grew rapidly throughout the whole of Ireland. Clubs were formed in Coleraine and Derry, 1944, Ballymena 1945, Bangor 1946, and Lurgan 1947. Extension work took off during the ’50s and early ’60s, with the establishment of Newry and Mourne in 1956, the Cork Club in 1957 and Drogheda and Sligo 1958, Dun Laoghaire, Galway, and Newtownards 1959, Bray 1960, and Wexford and Clonmel in 1961. Athlone, Dungannon, and Kilkenny followed in 1962, then Carlow, Enniskillen, Limerick, Larne, and Killarney in 1963. Ballymoney, Ennis, and Tralee were established in 1964, and Ballina in 1965.
Between 1932 and 1966 Ireland provided three
Federation Presidents:
Miss Grace Holloway – 1948 /49
Mrs. D. McNabb – 1954 / 55
Mrs. A N McIlrath – 1964 / 65
In 1966 the vigorous growth of the Soroptimist movement made it necessary to divide the Divisional Union of Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland into two separate regions of SIGBI – SI National Association Republic of Ireland and SI Northern Ireland. Doris McNamara of the Limerick Club was the first President of SI ROI and a Presidential chain of office for the new region was designed and made by Egans of Cork, with the members from each club subscribing 2/6d towards the cost!
At this time, Soroptimist Clubs in Ireland continued to be formed including:
Castlebar – 1969
Letterkenny – 1973
Dungarvan – 1980
Bandon – 1981
Naas Newbridge – 1982
Mullingar – 1991
North Kildare – 1994
Ballinasloe – 1995
SI Republic of Ireland has had 2 further Federation Presidents – Mrs Beatrice Grosvenor SI Killarney in 1972 and Miss Muriel Bowers SI Cork in 1985.
The North-South Conference – It was decided that a yearly weekend conference should be held alternately in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and this has continued successfully ever since.
National Projects
In 1966 the Soroptimist Club of Galway proposed that a particular charity project at national level should be chosen every two years with the support of all clubs in the Divisional Union (National Association). This suggestion was formally adopted, and we have, as a result, financially supported:
- St. Luke’s Hospital Cancer Research
- Kidney Unit at Jervis Street Hospital
- Cerebral Palsy Clinic
- Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Battered Wives
- Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland
- Special Olympics
- Simon Community
- St. Luke’s Hospital Treatment Machine
- Guide Dogs for the Blind
- Fem Scan
- The Youth Brass Band
- The Small Voice (Street Children)
- Caring for the Carers
Lobbying
The members of Soroptimist International Republic of Ireland have an interest in the following subjects and have made representations to the respective Government Departments on these matters:
- The Married Women’s Income Tax Allowance
- The low standard of television programmes
- The proposed Criminal Justice Bill
- Discrimination over non-contributory pensions for women
- Widows of Civil Servants Pension Bill
- Proposed Legislation on Family Planning
- Video Nasties
- Anti-Discrimination Against Women
- Carers in the Home
- Equality Rights
- Partnership 2000
- Asylum Policy
- Protection of Children
2000 Ireland – The National Association executive invited all Soroptimists to a gala celebration of the millennium on the eve of their their meeting in December 1999 the last of the 20th century.
Soroptimist International
Soroptimist International consists of five Federations: Soroptimist International of Africa, Soroptimist International of the Americas, Soroptimist International of Europe, Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland and Soroptimist International of the South-West Pacific.
A global volunteer movement, we work together to transform the lives of women and girls and promote gender balance. Our network of around 72,000 club members in 121 countries works at a local, national and international level to Educate, Empower and Enable opportunities for women and girls.
Soroptimist International has consultative status at the United Nations since 1984 and is a recognised NGO representing women from all over the world. There are Soroptimist representatives at all the major UN centres across the world.
For more information visit Soroptimist International
Soroptimists transform the lives and status of women and girls through
education, empowerment and enabling opportunities.
