SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL

Historical perspective by Janet Haywood

Founded in 1921 ‑ Soroptimist International is the world's largest international service organisation for women in business management and the professions. More than 100,000 members in over 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community based projects.

The organisation is both non denominational and non political. Membership being strictly by invitation thus ensuring that members represent the community through a variety of occupations.

The word Soroptimist is derived from the Latin "soror" (sister/woman) and "optima'"(best) = 'the best of women'.

With International Headquarters based in Cambridge (England) the organisation is geographically represented by four Federations ‑

The Americas

Europe

Great Britain & Ireland

South West Pacific.

Soroptimist International has a voice at the United Nations and has a greater influence on world issues than any other women's group. We have a meaningful dialogue working with other Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO's) and United Nations' bodies.

There is an international Chat line, which helps to bridge the gap between the four Federations on an informal basis.

The Harrogate Club, chartered in 1933 whose motto is "Looking Further", is part of the Yorkshire Region of the Federation of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI).

At this time Harrogate was an exclusive and fashionable Spa town with the new colonnade and Sun Pavilion built to link the Royal Pump Room with the Royal Bath Hospital. One must assume that at least some of the early members were employed at the latter whilst other would be proprietors of gown shops and hotels with teaching and other professions well represented.

At the 1938 Annual General Meeting the President reported on the anxious times throughout the organisation and members were encouraged to lobby Parliament and the Prime Minister to find ways of overcoming hostilities. Even today members continue to lobby members of Parliament on local and national issues such as

Health Care; Environment; Education; Social and economic stability etc.

During the second World War members responded to the emergencies created by assisting Refugees based at Fountains Abbey, knitting garments for troops about to be posted overseas and supplying blankets. Fund raising throughout the Federation enabled Soroptimists to supply three ambulances to the British Army.

More recently members have assisted Refugees based in Harrogate and Ripon by providing both financial and practical support.

In 1942 members opened a building fund so that they could have their own meeting rooms. By 1952 premises at 5 Park View was bought on mortgage and converted into a Club Room with the provision of 5 flats for single ladies, some of whom were Soroptimists By 1995 new building regulations, and the modern society forced the sale of the premises and the Club now meets at the White Hart Hotel in Harrogate.

Club meetings take place on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7.30 p.m. and visitors from other Clubs within Soroptimist International are welcome, as are members guests.

Like all Soroptimist clubs throughout the world the Club has been involved in numerous projects through its programme of service. All clubs working within a structured framework relating to objects and programme issues on Education, Environment, Economic and Social development; Health, Human Rights and International Goodwill & Understanding.

At present there are 44 very active members. We have our own web site and many members have their own email address

Despite the age of the Club we are a modern realistic organisation with members who can and do influence local and world issues

Programme Action

We choose projects covering a number of areas to help the local community and further afield. We also adopt projects for study and action within the International Programme. The Programme Focus that is issued by Soroptimist International every four years guides us.

It would be impossible to list the numerous projects in which Harrogate Soroptimists have been involved over the years ‑ here are just a few

Women's Refuge Yorkshire Flood Relief Limbs for life Waste Disposal Survey Poetry Book publication Imperial Cancer Research Breast Cancer Research Temple Gardens, Ripon

Carers Resource Centre UNICEF Women's Aid Peace Tree to Japan Children's Poetry Competition Shoppers Cafe Sponsorship in Thailand Harrogate Ringway footpath

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