About
Who We Are
Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. The name, Soroptimist, means “best for women,” and that’s what the organization strives to achieve. Soroptimists are women at their best, working to help other women to be their best. Almost 95,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community–based and international projects that benefit women and girls. We also contribute to decisions made at the United Nations. Since 1984 we have held consultative status (a direct voice) with the UN Economic and Social Council.
Soroptimist members belong to local clubs. The clubs are organized into Districts and the Districts into Regions which comprise a Federation. There are four Federations in the World and they make up Soroptimist International. The local clubs determine the focus of volunteer work to their communities. Club projects range from renovating domestic violence shelters and providing mammograms to low-income women, to sponsoring self-esteem workshops for teenage girls. Our Region, Founder Region, is very fortunate to have two Region-campaigns in which we participate:
- Fellowship - grants are given to women in their last year of doctoral studies. Must be attending a school in Founder Region.
- International project to build a school in Africa – details to follow
In addition, Soroptimists participate in organization-wide programs such as the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards, Soroptimist Club Grants for Women and Girls, the Soroptimist Workplace Campaign to End Domestic Violence, the Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women, the Soroptimist Violet Richardson Award and Soroptimists STOP Trafficking. Clubs also may participate in the Live Your Dream campaign, which encourages all women to live their dreams while helping others to do the same.
