Ms. Cathy Cottridge
Several members of Soroptimist International Anguilla, under the leadership of President Carmencita Davis, met at the Soroptimist Hall in the Valley, on the afternoon of September 13th, to welcome the visiting President of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI),Ms. Cathy Cottridge.
Prior to the formal welcome of Ms. Cottridge, a comprehensive overview of the work of Soroptimist International of Anguilla was presented by Soroptimist Angelina Carty. She described, in great detail, the activities of the local Soroptimist Club. In particular, she emphasized the fact that women worldwide are represented by Soroptimist International at the United Nations level.
“For people who don’t know,” Mrs. Carty said, “Soroptimist International is a global volunteer organization which was founded in 1921 with a network of over 75,000 club members in 133 countries and territories. Advocating for human rights and gender equality is at the heart of the Soroptimist International mandate across six UN Centers, where our UN representatives ensure that the voices of women and girls are heard.”
Mrs. Carty stressed that Soroptimist International has consultative status in the UN and is a recognized non-government organization representing women from all over the world.
“Our membership work on grass-roots projects that help women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential, raise their aspirations, and have an equal voice in communities worldwide,” she said.
As far as the local work of the Club is concerned, she noted that Soroptimist International Anguilla was founded in 1981 by Ms. Ena Woodstock. “Today, Ms. Woodstock is 106 years old, and is probably the oldest Soroptimist International member in the world,” Mrs. Carty opined.
She noted that the local Soroptimist Club has been quite active over the years, ever since it was established in Anguilla. Some of the projects include supporting the pediatric ward at the Princess Alexandria Hospital; supporting a school in Sri Lanka; sponsoring the Community Youth Award; sponsoring a Teen Talk radio programme; and providing sponsorship for persons in need of social support.
The local Soroptimist International club also sponsors mammogram and blood pressure checks; conducts immunity health fairs; teaches English to Spanish speakers; and [offers] many social outreach programmes dealing with critical issues.
In addition, Soroptimist International Anguilla sponsors Summer reading workshops for Campus B students at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School and operates a Senior Daycare Centre.
In delivering her remarks, President of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland, Cathy Cottridge said “I would like to thank you all for the warm welcome you have shown me on my visit here in Anguilla. I am impressed by that long list of projects that Soroptimist International Anguilla is undertaking.”
After commending the ladies and giving the members some fruitful instruction and kind words of encouragement, Ms. Cottridge was presented with a special token and gift from the local Soroptimist club by Ms. Carmencita Davis, President of Soroptimist International Anguilla.
