SOROPTIMIST...BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
The name Soroptimist was coined from the Latin 'soror' meaning sister, and 'optima' meaning best.
And so Soroptimist is perhaps best interpreted as "THE BEST FOR WOMEN".
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About Us
Since the founding of the very first Soroptimist club in Oakland, California in 1921, Soroptimist International (SI) has sought to bring about change to the lives of women and girls worldwide. Through its global network of four Federations and its dedicated volunteer membership of over 75,000, SI is driven by its mission of transforming lives through education, empowerment and by enabling opportunities.Rooted in the vision that women and girls will achieve their individual and collective potential, SI’s advocacy work and on-the-ground projects seek to drive the realisation of these aspirations and ensure that women and girls have an equal voice in creating strong and peaceful communities, now and in the future.
Today, we have over 40,000 members within 1,434 clubs spread out worldwide in 19 countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Phillippines, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, U.S.A., and Venezuela!
Our local Soroptimist club of Boca Raton-Deerfield Beach was founded in 1960. Helen Babione was one of our charter members, and continues to be a highly active member to this day!
We support a number of organizations locally through grants, as well as offer inservices and educational opportunities focused on the social issues impacting women and children.
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Soroptimist members celebrating the holiday season, hosted by First National Bank Coastal Community (FNBCC).
Women of Distinction Committee, along with Honorary Chair, Terry Fedele (standing on right) and Lifetime Achievement Recipient, Mrs. Barbara Gutin (seated on right), and chartered member, Mrs. Helen Babione (seated on left)
