President’s message
This has been a year that has highlighted to me just how much programme action that we do achieve in the region, and the enthusiasm that members have for the projects at clubs, regions, and international level. But maybe more importantly this year in office has given me an insight into the depth of warmth, support and friendship that this region has to offer, not just its president but to all its members.
This year has seen us celebrate our 60th anniversary, we have held a very successful fashion show, sold cookbooks, had a photographic competition, and now from the competition we have cards for sale. All the money raised will go to Wateraid, to be used as a legacy from the region, and I would like to thank everyone who has helped.
During the year I have been give items of nostalgic interest and would like to share with you some thoughts from a newletter produced in 1983 by Margaret Alderson regarding the ‘Decade for Women’. Aspect to be considered on the themes of equality, development and peace;
Where has progress been made?
Where do obstacles remain?
What are the priorities for the future?
What strategies can you suggest?
25 years on, despite all the work done and being done, all these question are still relevant. Our programme focus for 2007-2011 says that we will ensure that women and girls enjoy equity and equality; live in safe and healthy environments; have access to education; have leadership and practical skills, are we making progress, where are the obstacles, and what are our priorities. We need to inspire action and create opportunities to help transform the lives of women and girls, lets keep the enthusiasm for our programme action, be vibrant and dynamic and as Soroptimists still keep these items on the agenda working towards our goal. There is still much work to be done. We are not looking back, but inspired to look forward, with the help of projects like the Born Free Appeal which Jane Hastings has helped develop, the ongoing Wear Suma Project that keeps growing, our quadrennial project, Project Sierra which we have greeted with such enthusiasm, shows us that to achieve our goal we cannot just stick a sticky plaster over the cracks, we must leave a solid foundation which can continue to be build on to sustain the progress, help remove the obstacles and give clear and definite path for a sustainable future of education, development, equality and peace for all women and girls throughout the world, here’s to the next 60 years of Soroptimists in Northern England.