Soroptimist is an international organization
for business and professional women who volunteer
their time, talents and resources to improve the lives
of women and girls in local communities and throughout
the world.
Our members are a diverse group of
like-minded women who work together using their expertise,
business and professional skills and talents to support
community-based and international projects that benefit
women and girls. Membership to Soroptimist is by invitation.
There are over 3,000 Soroptimist clubs
with about 90,000 members in about 126 countries and
territories who contribute time, talent and resources
to make the world a better place.
Soroptimist International of the Philippines
Region (A Foundation) Inc. (SIPR) with 80 clubs and
2,000 members, is an affiliate of Soroptimist International
of the Americas (SIA), the largest of four federations
comprising Soroptimist International. Please click
here
for the Soroptimist organizational
structure.
Soroptimist
International has General Consultative
Status with the United Nations Economic and Social
Council (UNESCO) and is represented in many meetings
of its agencies around the world.
Soroptimist clubs all over the world
recite the Soroptimist
Pledge in every important club
meeting and event.
For more information on Soroptimist,
please visit www.soroptimist.org
and www.soroptimistinternational.org.
History
The word Soroptimist comes from two
Latin words, soror meaning sister and optima
meaning best. Soroptimists are women at their best,
working to help other women to be their best.
The first Soroptimist club was formed
in 1921 in Oakland, California, USA by women who were
interested in volunteer service but who were prohibited
from joining all-male organizations. From then to
the present, members have continued to achieve the
best for women through various programs of service
through Awareness, Advocacy and Action.
In 1928, various clubs in the United
States formed a federation now called the Soroptimist
International of the Americas (SIA). Much later, SIA
admitted new clubs from South America and Asia. Today,
SIA has about 1,430 clubs with 38,171 members in 19
countries and territories, including the Philippines.
The beginnings of Soroptimist in the
Philippines can be traced to two women - Mariquita
S. Castelo, a Filipina and Betty Beck Prosser, an
American - who shared a commitment to serve others
and uplift the status of women. Together, they worked
for the establishment of the first Soroptimist club
in the Philippines.
In a beautiful ceremony in April 1964,
the Charter
Members of SI Founder Manila were inducted
by then SIA President Pluma Batten and on May 6, 1966,
the Officers were installed and the Club Charter was
presented in a ceremony held at the Malacanang Palace
with then First Lady Imelda R. Marcos as the guest
of honor and speaker.
From ManIla, the spirit of Soroptimist
spread to Davao, Baguio, Naga, Cebu, Cabanatuan, Iriga,
Malolos, Daet, Dagupan and the rest of the country.
Soroptimist thus flourished in the Philippines with
86 clubs and 1,920 members, continuing the same spirit
of service that lives on through the untiring efforts
and commitment of current Soroptimists.
Please click here
for the listing of Past National Presidents and Governors.
SIPR Mission
& Vision
VISION
Be the voluntary service organization chosen by all
business and professional women committed to improving
the lives of women and girls.
We will share our time, talents and resources to enrich
our communities. Together, we will:
- improve the lives of women and girls
- help women achieve economic and
political equality
- serve as a global voice for women
- provide outstanding leadership development
opportunities for women
- enhance world peace and understanding
MISSION AND CORE PURPOSE
To improve the lives of women and girls in local communities
and throughout the world.
CORE VALUES
SIPR and its affiliate clubs are committed to:
- international goodwill and understanding
- promote volunteer action
- provide leadership development
- participate in fellowship
whilst recognizing diversity
Organizational
Structure
• SI Organizational Structure
• SIPR Organizational Structure
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