SI Voices

Recorded over the weekend between week one and week two of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65), in this episode of SI Voices, host Francesca Fletcher Williams is joined by SI United Nations Representative, New York, Bette Levy, as they talk advocacy, civil society and Soroptimist action, and the importance of the negotiations during the CSW.
Catch up with all the blogs written during CSW at: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/advocacy/commission-on-the-status-of-women/csw65/

In this episode, host Allie Liu chats to SI President Sharon Fisher on International Women's Day (IWD) about Soroptimist International's 100th year.  Sharon also talks about what IWD means to her, and discusses the events taking place at the 65th Session of Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65).

Early bird ticket registration for the SI 100th Birthday Event is to be launched later in March. Please regularly check our website for updates: www.soroptimistinternational.org/members-area/100th-si-birthday-the-big-event

The Road to Equality President's Appeal: www.soroptimistinternational.org/action/road-to-equality

Find out how to get involved with CSW65:
www.soroptimistinternational.org/advocacy/commission-on-the-status-of-women/csw65

In this episode of SI Voices, host Dawn Marie Lemonds and Past SI President 1995-97, Patsy Daniels, take a trip down memory lane, reliving their experiences at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. They discuss their personal highlights and the resulting outcome document, the Beijing Platform for Action, still considered the most comprehensive global blueprint for gender equality; paving the way towards #GenerationEquality.

To read more from Dawn Marie and Patsy about SI's work at the World Conference in Beijing, please visit: www.soroptimistinternational.org/the-4th-world-conference-on-women-beijing-1995

In this episode of SI Voices, host Sue Riney chats to U.S. Navy Captain, former NASA astronaut and Soroptimist, Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper, about her remarkable life and career highlights. Drawing on Heide's experience in the field, and her current work doing school talks and workshops, they discuss the importance of STEM and STEAM education for girls. 

This episode of SI Voices joins Beverly Bucur, Soroptimist International (SI) Advocacy Director, and Soroptimist Hilary Ratcliffe, OBE. Bev and Hilary talk candidly of their passion, and personal journey's towards becoming Soroptimists - sharing stories of past work at the grassroots level, and reflecting on what compelled them to take on roles at SI at the international level. The conversation explores the fundamentals of advocating in the international arena, and how this work may change as we move towards a post-COVID reality. In conclusion, Bev and Hilary share their belief that every small step can and will make a difference in the lives of women and girls. 

This episode of SI Voices welcomes Ayushi Kundu and Olga Sidenko, the Coordinators of the 2019-21 Soroptimist International President's Appeal, the Road to Equality. Sue Riney poses the questions and Ayushi and Olga identify the six topics of the current President's Appeal, talking partnerships, and the latest project working with the Lugari Community Centre, and Youth Leadership Training programme, in Kenya. To  find out more about the Road to Equality and its topics and to donate to the Appeal, please visit: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/action/road-to-equality/
Look out for news of the Latest SI President's Appeal project, to be announced on Human Rights Day, 10 December. 

In this episode we join Kathy Kaaf, as she takes us through the life stories of two pioneering Soroptimists, Suzanne Noël and Jeannine Jacquemin, both French Medical Doctors. Kathy is joined by guests, President of Soroptimist International of Europe 2017-2019, Renata Trottman Probst, and past Soroptimist InternationaI President, Marie-Jeanne Bosia-Berberat, who help chronicle the legacy of these two change-making, and highly regarded Soroptimists in Europe.

In this episode, Soroptimist Liz Batten is joined by Mary Muia, SI United Nations Representative in Nairobi, as they explore the link between Soroptimist International (SI) and the environment, throughout the organisation's 100 years history. Listen in as Mary shares her expertise in developing sustainable solutions to tackle climate change, with women in mind.  More information @ https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/its-in-the-trees/

*Trigger warning - includes detail of obstetric fistula*

In the third episode of SI Voices, Soroptimist Hilary Ratcliffe delves into some tough topics with guests, SI Quadrennial Project Liaison, Alison Sutherland, and past SI President 2007-2009, Margaret Lobo. Focusing on past projects, we discuss how SI is tackling some of the biggest issues women face across the world. We look at the challenges faced whilst rebuilding lives and communities following the Sierra Leone Civil War, and how women who are suffering from obstetric fistula in Ethiopia are empowered to reintergrate into society.

Transcript available: https://sivoices.buzzsprout.com/1231769/6065695-tough-women-tough-topics

Have you heard the story of how Soroptimist International was first started? In the second episode of SI Voices, Dawn Marie takes us on a journey that spans across 100 years as we look back at the stories of the very first few Soroptimist clubs and how our organisation then grew internationally. Dawn Marie is joined by SI President, Sharon Fisher, and SI archivist extraordinaire, Lisa Mangiafico.