Soroptimist International Clubs start the new year
As we bid 2020 goodbye, a year like no other, we celebrate our resilience and the real value in our connecting with each other and yet in new ways. Our two Soroptimists International Clubs on the Mendocino north coast overcame the logistical challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and found that we could keep working together over Zoom, via cautious social distancing and through the good, old-fashioned telephone.
So much was accomplished with both clubs involved in Soroptimist Internationals’ signature projects. Live Your Dream education and training awards for women, academic scholarships for our local graduating high school seniors and the Ruby Award honoring women improving the lives of women and girls are just some of what we do that is generously supported by our local merchants and businesses. Volunteers are the heartbeat of Soroptimist and serve as global and community leaders. We make great connections, and we have fun as we do it.
Recent accomplishments
On Dec. 23, the SI of Fort Bragg “noon club” presented the staff of Family and Children Services back packs for distribution to the 30 children under foster care in Fort Bragg. Ocean Wave Quilters provided pillowcases for the packs and others contributed to a raffle that helped finance the gifts included in the packs. For info on how to participate with the noon club on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Thursday, 12 to 1 p.m., call Joanne Frazer at 707-964- 6344.
The early morning SI Noyo Sunrise Club made mask-wearing fun, and awarded prizes to winners of their Face Mask Contest. The Roses for Mammograms and the Quilt Trail Project are just a few of their ongoing projects. This club meets online through Zoom every 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 8 to 9 a.m. For more info on how to link up go to www.sinoyosunrise.org.
We have an impact!
SI’s Live Your Dream Awards program was launched in 1972 and has disbursed about $35 million in cash awards, helping more than 30,000 women achieve their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families. The Fels Institute of Government, a research and consulting organization based at the University of Pennsylvania, released a study evaluating the program’s impact and concluded the program is highly effective in helping women gain the tools they need to make economic improvements in their lives by increasing their employment prospects and self- esteem.
Many recipients create a ripple effect by pursuing careers designed to help other women or girls and serve as positive role models for their children — leading to stronger communities and nations. Read the Fels study at www.soroptimist.org/pdf/FelsCaseStatement.pdf.Soroptimists
COVID-19
SI has been tracking the impact of the pandemic nationally and globally. A recent report from SI highlighted that many jobs in the hospitality, tourist, personal care, retail and service industries are held by women and they are the hardest hit economically. Many of these jobs are likely to be lost permanently thus reducing employment opportunities for women as the COVID-19 pandemic has abruptly and profoundly disrupted the global economy, pushing the world into a recession.
The report states, “Given that most of the decisions related to the pandemic both nationally and locally are being taken by political representatives there is a lack of recognition and understanding of much of the impact is on women and girls. Women are underrepresented at all levels of representation from local community leadership to national positions. There is some evidence to suggest that female leaders have dealt with the outbreak in their countries most efficiently and effectively… whilst women are leading in frontline response, they are missing from political decisionmaking.”
SI’s years of experience working with women and girls has showed that education is the key to unlocking leadership potential and economic empowerment of the world’s women and girls. When they are educated, they have the opportunity, choice and power to make healthy decisions for themselves and their families. They make a difference in their families and in their communities. It is not just about money. Each recipient knows that an organization of women believes in her ability to change her own life.
The economic empowerment of women is not just the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do, as it is an investment that benefits individuals, households, communities and countries.
Partner with us
Want to be part of our amazing work? Why
wait? Fill out an introduction form at https://members.soroptimist.org/introform, mention the club that you wish to join or if you are out of the area ask to be connected to a local club in your area.
Keep an eye out in these newspapers for announcements of our upcoming activities.