An International Women's Group which is actually for and about women and girls!

[MarSeeAh]

I seem to remember that there was recently a thread about women's or feminist groups we could join to meet like-minded women in real life. It did seem that the few which did exist have been infiltrated by TIMs.

Today, I met a woman from my local Soroptimist International. She has asked me to speak to them, after the summer sometime, about transgender issues - this was after hearing me speak today about the silencing of women, with particular reference to Heather Brunskell-Evans, Venice Allan and Jennifer James, encouraging people to read Andrew Gilligan's article in the Sunday Times, and the trade unionist attacked by TRAs on a picket line on IWD. She said that they have become aware that this is an issue which they need to learn much more about. They have had contact with a TIF - attending meetings I think, rather than as an invited speaker. I also mentioned what's happening with Girl Guiding, and she shared my concerns about that, and said that Soroptimists remains a single sex organisation.

I've now had a chance to look at what they do, and am very impressed. I've applied to join my local club, and as many of us here, like me, might not know much about them, thought I'd share here, and encourage you to check them out and consider joining.

sigbi.org

Thanks for posting OP! Never heard of them, I'll have a look.

Thanks OP, I too had never heard of them Sadly there's not a club anywhere near me

MarSeeAh

Thank you so much for posting this! I have been trying to find women-centred groups locally and so far found nothing. The feminist group I have been involved with locally is strongly 'internationalist', I cannot take them seriously now.

Would be great to meet MNetters, I am guessing this has been discussed before?

Surely if infiltrated by TiMs they could just be reminded that the group is for women only?

ItsAllGoingToBeFine sorry you can't find a local group, I appreciate it must be frustrating.

Never heard of them before bit there is one very close to me.

I think I'll find out more... thanks OP!

Thanks, there are a few near me, will look into it.

Never heard of it either. My loca one was foundef in 1949 so not a new thing! Sounds really positive Definitely going to look into this.

Very interesting -will look into that

I had heard of them, but for some reason thought that it was more of a group for high level business women, and that you had to be invited to join. Don't know why I got that idea, because they seem to be open to any woman who wants to join, and are actively trying to recruit new members these days!

Are they religious at all? Going to look into this tomorrow - thanks Op!

Just had a look at my local group, lack of cost publicised worries me ( and the fact that all the women pictures are significantly older than me) however I like the philosophy and will investigate further.

It took me a bit of searching, but I managed to find their fees. It's £43 for the year, which starts on 1st April, then the fee reduces by £9.25 per quarter, so if you join part way through the year you're not paying for a membership you don't get the full benefit of. The fee includes their magazine, and the one you can see on-line looks pretty good, and lets you see what all the clubs are doing and talking about.

I also liked this:

Why is Membership of SIGBI only available to women?

The Equality Act 2010, Schedule 16, Section 1(1) states: “An association does not contravene section 101(1) by restricting Membership to persons who share a protected characteristic”. The protected characteristic that allows the Company to restrict its Membership to females is clearly “sex”. This only applies to Clubs within the UK. Clubs in other countries are advised to research their own Equality Laws to ensure they comply with local legislation.

And they are not religious, other than they will have members of different faiths and none.

Interesting idea, MarSeeAh. There's actually one in my town and a few regionally. Looks a bit like granny central from the photos but the fiercest women's rights warrior I know is my mum so I think it's worth checking them out.

That's interesting. Is it like an all-female Rotary Club?

Thanks for posting this. Theres a group in my town and I've contacted them about joining. Its something I've been looking for.

I don't know much about the Rotary Club, but had a quick look at their website, and it seems similar but Soroptimists are for women and all about empowering and supporting women and girls.

Their website says:

There are nearly 80,000 Soroptimists worldwide, the majority of whom belong to their local Club, where they can make friends with like-minded women, have fun and work on projects that help improve the lives of women and girls locally, nationally and internationally.

Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) also offers Associate Membership, for busy women who believe in what we do but do not have the time to get involved in Club activities.

Soroptimist International (SI) and SIGBI both have consultative status at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the United Nations (UN), which gives us a voice on important discussion papers, and allows us to attend the Commission on the Status of Women in New York each March, and contribute to the “Agreed Conclusions”. This status would not be possible without the fantastic work being done by our Members.

i liked that all officials at every level got paid the same.

Yes, I noticed that too. I can't think of any other organisation that does that. Not that I know of, anyway.

I have been involved with the Soroptimists. They are brilliant and work quietly for women and girls.

Interesting. Thanks for this, OP, just had a quick search and there’s a club near me.

Thanks Mar . I was on my phone and couldn't find all the details on their website.

I am a Soroptimist....and definitely not a granny! Trust me we have a wide range of ages amongst us but we definitely need younger members coming on board too. It is a fantastic organisation that has an amazing impact locally, nationally and internationally. We constantly support, campaign about, and raise awareness of issues that affect women and girls across the world. We seek to work together to educate, empower and enable women and girls. Please do visit the website (www.sigbi.org) and read more about us. You can also search for your nearest club by postcode. I belong to the High Wycombe and District Club so if any of you are local please do message me [email address removed by MNHQ at poster's request]

The woman I know who is a member is now in her 80s, still working to an extent after a career in the arts which she forged during a time when women were expected to marry (she never did, and instead had a lifelong woman partner). Never actually thought about joining them myself because I thought it was for people who like her are more successful than me but if that's not the case it's worth looking into.

It's so strange how we put ourselves into these boxes. I'm thinking of 'Granny'. What's our impression of grannies then? I suspect like most greetings cards - little old lady with a grey bun and glasses, knitting in a rocking chair. You'd be hard pushed these days to find many grannies who fit that description - maybe great grannies do. I'm a 'granny' of 63, though not addressed as that by the sprog in question. I don't consider myself in the least bit old or belonging to some bizarre generation whose time has passed. Apart from a dodgy hip, I'm fine! I plan on finding out about the Soroptomists shortly, sound just my thing. All their existing members were once younger too! I know a woman in her late 20s who is now heading her branch of the WI. All organisations need younger blood.

This is interesting - I'd heard of them (but had completely forgotten) because a lovely former neighbour was a member. She was a recently retired health service manager, and described it to me as like Rotary for women. Which I somehow assumed meant somewhat 'public' professionals (doctors, bank managers etc.... maybe I'm mixed up with Round Table or Lions, which are a male mystery to me... my ignorance I'm sure!)

The only other reference I've ever seen was a little plaque on a bird hide they'd sponsored somewhere.

The club finder gives me a map showing nothing, which seems odd as my neighbour was a member - perhaps she joined elsewhere, or maybe it doesn't work in my browser. But perhaps this gives me an excuse to get back in touch with her.