STOURBRIDGE and District Soroptimist Club is set to mark 70 years of friendship, service and efforts to educate and empower women and girls worldwide.

The club, part of long-established and respected global women’s organisation Soroptimist International, will be celebrating its 70th Charter anniversary in July.

To mark the milestone anniversary - members will be hosting a Candlelit Dinner on July 21 at Hagley Golf & Country Club where the club meets twice monthly on Wednesdays - and a literary dinner will follow later in the year on November 24 at the golf club at Wassell Grove.

For its role in transforming the lives of women, girls and families on all continents, Soroptimist International holds a seat at the United Nations and special consultative status to its economic and social council.

The organisation, which offers friendship, social activities, opportunities for travel and a sense of purpose through service and fundraising projects, has also campaigned to reduce women's imprisonment and supported Handicap International's work to help landmine victims.

Jane Flint Bridgewater, membership and development officer for Stourbridge & District Soroptimist Club, said: "We mark many significant dates in the UN and Soroptimist calendars, including those campaigning against poverty, slavery, trafficking, and violence."

And she added: "We have given support locally to not only our major charities but also smaller lesser-known causes such as the CHADD (Churches Housing Association of Dudley and District), Refuge and Top Church Training, which helps young people struggling to get a foothold in their lives.

"We have also sponsored the education of individuals, for instance Esther - a partially-sighted Ugandan girl through Farmers' Overseas Action Group.

"And our whole federation has undertaken international projects supporting most recently the Birthing in Gambia (BIG) Project, and currently the Meru Women's Garden Project in Kenya - raising funds to support sustainable garden agriculture, food and security enabling girls to attend school and avoid Female Genital Mutilation."

Members also often support club projects across the Midlands region and enjoy attending each other's major fundraisers but the club's signature annual event is its autumn literary dinner.

Last year's event supported Soroptimist International's President's Appeal to help women and girls in earthquake hit Nepal and around £1,200 was raised.

This year's event will be in aid of a number of causes including Meru Women's Garden Project and Top Church Training in Brierley Hill.

Ahead of the event - Stourbridge members will be hosting a stand at the national 'Step up, Lead the Way' Soroptimist International conference in October at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

Keen to recruit new members - they will also be holding a membership open event, featuring a speaker and a buffet, on Wednesday May 3 at 7.30pm at Hagley Golf & Country Club, for women interested in joining the Soroptimists or keen to find out more.

Anyone wishing to attend is asked to email Jane Flint Bridgewater at ejfb51@gmail.com or call 01384 397565.

Alternatively visit website www.sigbi.org/Stourbridge for more information about the club.