About Us
Overview
Objects of Soroptimism
Service
Emblem
Overview
With the establishment in 1949 of the Perth club, Western Australia joined a proud tradition of Soroptimists which had begun in Oakland, California nearly thirty years earlier.
Soroptimist International of Western Australia (SIWA) is part of an organisation which is a global voice for women working through awareness, advocacy and action in over 122 countries. Soroptimist International has over 93,000 members around the world in management and professions working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women. Western Australia’s 18 clubs are part of 3,000 clubs around the world. SIWA is part of Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific Federation. Individual clubs provide local, national and international support to projects through active participation in communities and through fund-raising.
Visit the Our Region pages for more specific information.
Objects of Soroptimism
To strive for:
- the advancement of the status of women,
- high ethical standards,
- human rights for all,
- equality, development and peace:
through International Goodwill
and Understanding, and Friendship.
Soroptimist International is committed to:
- service to local, national and international communities; and
- active participation in decision-making at all levels of society.
Service
Our Service work comes under the term “Programme” or “Programme of Service”. Our service work can be described by three words:
Awareness – Advocacy – Action
Geneva Douglas, International Programme Liaison in 1988, described Programme as:
“… an agenda, a public notice and the basic framework for a plan through which we work to achieve our objectives. It is a framework for service that Soroptimists have worked out for themselves over their … history. It gives us identity as an organisation with a broad scope of concern, competency and contribution. As we work with Programme, we enrich our lives and the lives of others…”
Today we split our Programme of Service into six areas:
- Economic and Social Development
- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Human Rights and Status of Women
- International Goodwill and Understanding
The Soroptimist emblem symbolises the aims and ideals of Soroptimism.
On a circular disc, the woman appears as a central figure, with the flowing rays of a new day forming an aureole behind her. The figure depicts the spirit of womanhood – vital steadfast and dauntless.
The female figure holds in her upraised arms a plaque bearing the word “Soroptimist”. She upholds it as a gesture of freedom and glory.
From the word “Soroptimist” the leaves and acorns of the mighty oak tree curve downward to the right, epitomising the strength, growth, progress and achievements of the organisation. Curving downward to the left are the leaves of the laurel, renowned from antiquity as the emblem of victory, typifying friendship and success.
Below the female figure, the word, “International” signifies the worldwide nature of Soroptimism.
Bibbulmun Track
Coolawanyah Station
Kangan Pool
Pyramid Station
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