Soroptimist International of Stourbridge & District
September Business Meeting on the 7th marked the 50th Anniversary of International Literacy Day with a Book Sale in aid of the Soroptimist Diamond Education Fund and an interval Book Club reflecting on Nobel Peace Laureate Jimmy Carter's 'Call to Action' for women worldwide experiencing inequalities in their lives. Buddhi Chetiyawardana was warmly thanked for hosting a Sri Lankan Tea in August, raising more than £700 for Kenilworth Soroptimists' Malawi project of paediatric nurse training to reduce child mortality in that country. Members were helped to complete the national Programme database with their projects, which are all added together for their impact on the lives of women and girls, and underpin the appreciation of our organisation's seat at the United Nations. Club representatives Pat Whalley and Jane Flint Bridgewater had attended a national Leadership & Club Development Day in Reading on the 3rd, and shared their impressions of the day, which included a summary of the Pilot Membership Growth Plan Cluster meetings, attended by Sue Solly and Jane FB. Midland Arden Region President Su Roxburgh of Stourbridge and members later attended a Regional Study Day on the 17th, hearing speakers from The Children's Society (petition 'Seriously Awkward Campaign' may be signed online) and 'Education in the Prison Environment'. Incoming Regional President Jan Bowden emphasised how the 10% reduction in women prisoners had been contributed to by Soroptimist involvement in the Prison Reform Trust 2014 publication 'Transforming Lives'. Marjorie Ferguson entered a Programme Action poster on the Study Day describing our Club's planned actions for Top Church Training and musical education with our Rosemary Jean Carter Soroptimist Legacy. This was shared with all members and guests at our Dinner meeting on the 21st, when Alison Larkin of Birmingham's SAFE project was welcomed to talk about her outreach health services for sex workers, our concerns for possibly trafficked women shared in questions. The raffle on this occasion added to our contributions to the national effort for the MERU Women's Garden project, girls' education and avoidance of FGM the main goals. If our activities appeal to you, please look at the www.sigbi.org/stourbridge website, Twitter @SiStourbridge, contact Membership & Development Officer Jane Flint Bridgewater on ejfb51@gmail.com Our Annual Literary Dinner will be held at Hagley Golf & Country Club on Friday 25th November, guests interested in membership welcome.
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