Soroptimist International

[chocladoodle]

I'm looking for some opinions on SI. Are any of you members? Have you been to any of their meetings? Do you think they make a good stand for feminism. I'm considering attending my local group but I would like other people's opinions on them too.

[NicknameTaken]

I've encountered them in a work context, and I respect what they do. One project (maybe just local) which was to produce bookmarks outlining what a respectful relationship should look like, for distribution in schools.

From what I've seen, it seems to be older women who are involved. It's a bit like the Rotary Club. Not a hotbed of radicalism, and I imagine that in some groups the interal politics might get a bit complex, but overall, my experience has been very positive.

[KRITIQ]

Long ago and far away, the organisation I worked for organised an event in partnership with Soroptimists and Fawcett, so from my experience, their aims are concurrent with feminist principles.

Your post just reminded me I might want to ferret out if they do anything locally here, so thanks!

[lesley33]

I went to a do they had organised....I admit more for the free booze and buffet . They all seemed very nice. Mainly older women who were very conservatively dressed. I didn't feel I fit in at all. But each branch may be different. They are supposed to do a lot of hood work for charity.

[chocladoodle]

Thanks for your responses which do suggest a very positive position for the group.

However they might still be unknown to alot of people as to be honest I hadn't heard of them either since fairly recently.

Kritiq - your welcome - I hope you find a local group. Let me know how you get on.

[Nyac]

I know somebody in the US who is a pornstitution activist who has been warmly welcomed by them, and they are very supportive of her work. Something she has sadly not found with certain other feminists (the third wave, sex positive kind)

Soroptimists in the UK are also working against sex trafficking -

www.soroptimist-ukpac.org/about/show/495

They seem like a pretty good organisation.

[AliceHurled]

Hah there's one right near me with a good snooping opportunity coming up! Will report back...

[chocladoodle]

Alice - are you going along to one of their events as a visitor?

Let me know what you think.

I feel terribly ageist when I say this, however it does seem to be mainly older, older women and I can't help be put off by this. Sorry I know I shouldn't say that. Other than that, it appears they do alot of charity work, fundraising and awareness, now that's got to be a good thing too.

[NapaCab]

The Soroptimists! What a blast from the past for me... I didn't even know they were an international organization. I was involved with them at school i.e. about 15+ years ago and competed in their public speaking competitions as a teenager. They ran competitions to encourage teenage girls to learn to speak in public and take an active role in public life.

I had a very positive impression of them. The members who came to judge our competition did seem old but everyone seems old to you when you're 16.

No idea if they still do these kinds of things or what their main agenda is now but your thread has given me a good excuse to look them up and find out more so thanks for that.