The Best of Sisters

Hospitals are at the best of times stressful. Whilst patiently waiting to have my first pacemaker fitted, I struck a conversation with an interesting German speaking woman. We chatted about politics, the environment and the general state of the world. She mentioned that she was a member of Soroptimist International of Port Elizabeth, and in her charming German manner asked me what I did for a living. I told her that I was a Fundraiser; “Good” she exclaimed: “we don’t have one of those – would you like to be a Soroptimist?”

Just a little bit of history……..

In the early 1900’s service clubs were strictly a “men only” affair and professional women in America decided to start a service club for women. Taken from two Latin words “Soro” and “Optima” – the name Soroptimist came about.

Founded in the United States in 1921 and with nearly 65 000 members in 136 countries, this organisation is a global volunteer movement whose mission is to transform the lives of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities.

It is interesting to note that the first South African Club was founded in Port Elizabeth in 1959.

It was such a privilege to become a member of Soroptimist International of Port Elizabeth.

I soon learned that the South African Clubs were involved with interesting and diverse projects supporting rape survivors, school libraries as well as literacy projects in financially insecure suburbs, shelters supporting victims of violence and abuse as well as havens caring for vulnerable AIDS orphans.

At the same time I was made aware of the fact that SIPE had very little money in its kitty. I remember thinking what on earth can we do with R300? One of the hotel groups in Port Elizabeth hosted an annual golf day in favour of various charities.

I convinced my sisters to submit a proposal to said hotel group. Yes, we were successful, I breathed a sigh of relief as we could add an extra R30 000 to our balance. This hotel group continued to support us over a period of approximately six years.

Now we could transform lives and make a difference. We raised money and awareness and in the process we changed lives.

One of the most memorable and life changing moments was recognizing and sponsoring the education of a young woman who now holds a MSC degree in Biochemistry and is currently in the employ of the University of Free State.

At times some of us were not very popular with our sisters because we insisted on practising “servant leadership” – we were not prepared to donate money to projects and walk away. We wanted to be involved, to serve, to love and offer encouragement. We were intent on making a point – we served soup and bread as an evening meal to delegates attending the annual Soroptimist International Conference. Oh yes! I almost forgot to mention that we served the soup in repurposed jam tins. Our point being that we always need to stand in solidarity with the marginalised.

On an international level I enjoyed and was proud of the fact that we were involved with the rehabilitation of Girl Soldiers who survived unspeakable horrors in war torn African countries. We worked alongside folks who worked hard at ensuring women had access to clean and drinkable water, as well as assisting women and girls in having access to sanitary towels.

It is unthinkable that in this day and age we are required to assist young women in addressing “forced” marriages. One such project in the UK encourages young women who suspect that they are being “sent to the home country on holiday”, should place a teaspoon in their lingerie as this will be detected at the airport. Customs and security personnel are trained in intervention and arrange for a social worker to assist the young woman and their families in understanding that “forced marriages” are not on. Women and girls have the right to decide what happens to their bodies and who they marry.

Attending Soroptimist Conferences in Malta, Wales and Liverpool was a privilege and at the same time served as a life lesson.

The Soroptimist pledge is sincerity of friendship, joy of achievement, dignity of service, integrity of profession and love of country.

I guess there comes a time when we need to recognise that if we cannot serve our organisation and each other well, with love, respect and integrity and if any of those values are ignored or disrespected then it is time to pursue other options and dreams.

On reflection being involved in the Thuthuzela Rape Crisis Centre, the Yokhuselo Haven and many other wonderful initiatives was certainly “the best of times”.

“it was the best of times, it was the worst of times” – Charles Dickens