“GRANTS”
Soroptimist turns focus to gaining equality for women
SOROPTIMIST International of Gold Coast (SIGC) is a volunteer non-profit organisation in which women serve their community, develop friendships and hone leadership skills.
The name Soroptimist means 'best for women' and that is what group members aim to be – women at their best helping other women achieve their best.
"We are current and retired business owners, managers and professionals representing leadership in all areas of the community," said a spokeswoman.
The group has 22 members aged from 30-something to octogenarian, and meets regularly to to work on community-based and international projects which
benefit women and girls.
"As part of Soroptimist International, one of the most noteworthy global organisations advocating for the interests of women, we have a voice and

the power to make a difference," said the spokeswoman "As women who are neither afraid nor ashamed of laughing at our individual foibles, nor of weeping at the world condition, we choose  to make a difference. "Our club has a meaningful impact on the women and girls in our community, by supporting domestic violence shelters, facilitating mentoring to school girls, supporting children in foster homes, and providing hampers and essential comfort pamper packs for women and girls in need.
   "We are working to help the homeless, advocating for improved laws to assist trafficked women and children, and running countless other programs."

SIGC has received $5000 from the Mamma Lena and Dino Gustin Foundation to help furnish the new Ozcare Majella House Women's Refuge being built on the Gold Coast by the Department of Housing.


 


 

 

 

 

 

Marilyn Wilke, Robyn Isaacs and Ruth Oldfield help Marella House.

"At our monthly business dinner meetings, we invite speakers to discuss programs and ideas, many of which we later adopt as service projects or to whom we provide philanthropic assistance through fundraising efforts," said the spokeswoman.
    Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at Gold Coast Arts Centre at 6pm.
Membership is by invitation and it begins by attending a dinner meeting to meet and evaluate suitability.
Call 5500 6145 or email sigoldcoast @siswp.org.
The tradition of international service began in 1921 when a group of service-minded women established Soroptimist International in Oakland, California, in the US. Their goal was to establish a service-oriented, international organisation for women.
Since then, 90,000 women in 125 countries, in more than 3000 clubs with United Nations representation have evolved.
Soroptimist International now has four federations embracing America, Europe, Great Britain and Ireland, and 12 countries in the South West Pacific area, of which Australia is one.
One example is helping to create on-the¬ground training and education programs to help women survivors of war become self-sufficient in countries such as Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Bosnia and Afghanistan.

Newspaper article as pbublished in The Gold Coast Sun - Wednesday  - December  - 2 - 2009

From Left     -       Dorothy Eliot - Rosalba Gustin - Robyn Isaacs

From Left     -      Janet James - Dorothy Eliot - Rosalba Gustin - Robyn Isaacs

From Left     -      President Janet James - Committee member - Dorothy Eliot
with their "Heart Of Mamma Lena" Medals
 

Soroptimist International - a global voice for women - View  - PDF

 

Back