Soroptimists mark Diamond Anniversary
In January, 1958, Drogheda Soroptimists were Chartered as part of this international women’s organisation, pledged to involve themselves in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide.
On Saturday, 20th January, 2018, the current President of SIDrogheda, Carmel Schmidt, hosted a lunch party in the Conyngham Arms in Slane to celebrate their Diamond Anniversary. Drogheda members, the National President, many past presidents of the Drogheda club and their guests celebrated in the hotel where their inauguration took place in 1958.
Over 60 years, the Soroptimist contribution to the community in Drogheda included from their early years, the upgrading of facilities in St. Joseph’s home for ‘elderly ladies’, the inspiration for, and inclusion of the wider community in St. Ita’s Special School to, more recently their work for the White Ribbon Campaign, especially with St. Oliver’s Community College and fundraising for Rehab, Green Ribbon, Boomerang, the Women’s Refuge, Cystic Fibrosis and Childline.
The Soroptimist focus on education has been illustrated across Ireland over the last 35 years by their Public Speaking Competition, to improve the confidence and communication skills of girls. In the more recent past they also focus on and support STEM education, to encourage more girls into employment within the technical sphere.
On the international front, Soroptimists in Drogheda have made their contribution to important works across the globe, to promote women as entrepreneurs, to encourage education in communities and fight on all fronts against the prevalence of human trafficking. They have made strategic partnerships – with the Department of Justice and with APT to promote these ideals. Using the Soroptimist voice at the United Nations ECOSOC, they advocate for the recognition and value of women internationally.
They say about Soroptimists that they are ‘one of the best kept secrets’, but if you would like to be part of the action – follow them on Facebook, or on the web soroptimist-int-int.com.