London Chiltern Region President Johanna Raffan (who is a member of our club) with Liz Morgan-Lewis SIGBI President

On 6th March clubs from our Soroptimist region (London Chiltern) met in Maidenhead to mark International Women's Day. Members of other women's organisations were invited to set up stands as well as those of the Chilterns clubs. Organisations such as the Townswomen's Guild and the Inner Wheel to name just a few were present. A guest speaker from the Maidenhead Heritage Centre described the contribution of women to the Auxiliary Air Force in world war two in an informative talk called "Granny Flew Spitfires." Sarah France, a Girl Guide District Commissioner, spoke on the achievements of Girl Guides in the last 100 years. This is the second example of attempts by the Chilterns Region to forge stronger links up with the Guiding organisation so that together our two organisations can gain impact and be stronger.

Furthermore, Soroptimists joined the biggest 100th International Women’s Day celebration in London on March 8th

1200 women from multiple women’s organisations partnered Women for Women International’s ”Join me on the Bridge” event www.womenforwomen.org/bridge by marching across the Millennium Bridge. Pictured on the bridge are Soroptimists from St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Watford and Harpenden - all members of Soroptimist International St Albans & District. The bridge symbolises building bridges of peace all over the world. Liz Morgan-Lewis, Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland President, spoke afterwards at the Royal Festival Hall along with Annie Lennox, Bianca Jagger, Lynne Featherstone (Equalities Minister) and others.

There is more about International Women’s Day in the diary on the Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland website: www.soroptimist-gbi.org/blog/2011/03/01/100th-international-womens-day-soroptimists-inspiring-action/

Please sign the on-line petition calling for urgent action so that Afghan women can play a full part in building the bridges of peace for their future: www.womenforwomen.org/bridge/sign-the-pledge.php This is really important with the troop withdrawal this year, and supports UN Security Council Resolution 1325 for women’s role in post-conflict peacekeeping.

Here is the press release issued by SIGBI:  PressReleaseIWDLondon.doc

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