Paradise Cove Resort was the venue of a delightful 31st Anniversary Dinner on Sunday, August 12, hosted by Soroptimist International of Anguilla, the all women-member organisation on the island.
Many of the women were accompanied by their spouses as a show of support for the ideals they cherish. Those ideals, outlined in the women’s pledge of allegiance to Soroptimism, speak about the sincerity of friendship; the joy of achievement; the dignity of service; the integrity of profession; and love of country and all mankind.
The Soroptimists’ pledge calls on them to put forth their “greatest effort to promote, uphold, and defend these ideals for a larger friendship in home, society and business for country and for God.”
The programme was chaired by Anita Brooks, a long-standing member of the Soroptimist Club, who invited a number of persons to offer various toasts. The first was Governor Alistair Harrison who toasted to Her Majesty the Queen. In doing so, he wished the Soroptimists “all the best” for the coming years, and congratulated them on their achievements last year.
Chief Minister, Hubert Hughes, raised a toast forAnguilla. He said it was fair to say that women and young girls had “over-achieved” because their main emphasis was on themselves. On the other hand, he stated that “all over the world men are complaining that they would soon be extinct because women are achieving too much in comparison to men.” He cited for example that, in some of the university graduations he attended around theCaribbean, wherever there were ten certificates given for excellence, only two were awarded to men. He was of the view that male students in Anguilla were exhibiting the same lack of success.
“Anguilla is a small country and we appreciate very much the efforts that our females make in every aspect of society,” Mr. Hughes told the women. “In a country where civil society is also very limited, you play a pivot role as Soroptimists. I hope that even though it is to our disadvantage, as males, you will continue the good work and your accomplishments will remain on target.”
Responding, chairperson, Mrs Brooks, said that while it was said around the Caribbean that men were dropouts, and would soon become extinct, that was not true. “Education is free for all and boys in Anguilla need to take advantage of their education,” she stated. “I assure you that I will do all in my power to make sure that those dropouts in Anguilla start to achieve.”
The toast to Soroptimist International was done by Soroptimist Stella Horsford. “It gives me great pleasure to toast our parent organisation, Soroptimist International of Great Britain andIreland,” she said. “It is one of four federations. It comprises 398 clubs in 30 countries. Members are womenof all ages, diverse cultures and ethnic groups. These join their local clubs to give service to others…Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland ensures it remains an organisation relevant tosociety and the young women of today.”
In toasting the soroptimist Club of Anguilla, Mr. Calvert Carty said that over the past thirty-one years the Soroptimist, through their able and capable women, had gained the confidence of all and, as a consequence, had achieved the required finances to support their services on the island. He pointed to their building which houses a day care centre and a meeting place for organisations. He also mentioned the Soroptimists’ efforts, for two years, to assist in paying the salaries for teachers at a school in Africa.
Mrs.Evalyn Bradley, a new member of the Soroptomist Club, raised a toast to all of the dinner guests. She thanked them for attending the event and for their support over the years.
Soroptimist President, Carmencita Davis, reported on the work of the Club over the past year. She recalled that the organisation was founded in 1981, by then Magistrate Ena Woodstock, with seventeen members and that the membership had now grown to forty-two. She said there were ninety-five thousand women in three thousand clubs in one hundred and twenty-three countries world-wide. “Our focus is on new approaches to bring young members to our organisation – and to retain the present members as well – in order to fulfil the goals and objectives of the federation and its constitution,” she added.
Two presentations were made on behalf of Soroptimist International of Anguilla by Soroptimist Donnette Richardson. The first was to President Carmencia Davis, and the second to Secretary Lady Josephine Gumbs for their dedicated work over the years.
