Soroptimist International of Bristol
The 10th May 2020 marked the Centenary of the day when a score of Bristol business and professional women met and formed the (possibly) first Venture club for women in the world - a novel concept when many women had no vote. In 1930 the Bristol Venture Club merged with the Soroptimist movement founded in America in 1921.
Unfortunately, all the carefully planned events to celebrate this occasion could not take place due to Covid19 restrictions but our Treefest entry demonstrates the current principles and activities of Soroptimist International of Bristol.
The tree is a Crab Apple (Malus) in all its autumn glory in a Bristol garden. The book “100 Years of Sisterhood: Bristol Fashion” has been researched and written by our current President, Marion Reid. The decorations are all handmade by members.
Soroptimist International of Bristol is a vibrant, dynamic organisation for today’s women. We are committed to a world where women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong and peaceful communities worldwide. The global Soroptimist International organisation has representation at the United Nations concerning issues relating to women and children. It is a women’s volunteer organisation, not for profit and apolitical.
We welcome women from all walks of life who wish to volunteer within a group to educate, empower and enable other women and girls.
Members make friends with like-minded women, have fun and work on projects to help improve the lives of others.
COVID 19 has naturally curtailed our usual activities, but Club and speaker meetings have continued, litter picking, teddy bear (trauma bears for children) handovers have taken place, face masks and other PPE items for essential workers made and regular socially distanced walks organised. Jen’s and Marion’s sponsored walk is raising funds worldwide for our current charities Lifeskills- Learning for Living and The National Institute for Integrative Medicine. We are aiming to raise enough funds to feed 100 children for a year via Mary’s meals, continue to support the Bristol North West Foodbank, support “Unseen” which combats modern day slavery, Caring at Bristol (Christmas) for the Homeless, the British Red Cross and the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Appeal.
We thank St Mary Redcliffe Treefest organisers for giving us this opportunity to create a virtual Christmas Tree (we had a lot of fun doing it) and hope that you will support the Treefest 2020 charities.
We wish you a Happy Christmas, peace and good health in 2021.
Contacts:
Social media
LinkedIn: Soroptimist International of Bristol
Twitter: @si_bristol
Facebook: Soroptimist Bristol
Instagram: Soroptimist_bristol.
