New!
You can now make your donation to us online at our
Facebook Page
We are a global volunteer organization working to
improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to
social and economic empowerment.
Please view our
FAQ for more information about our
club!
We are proud to announce
our updated and simplified Soroptimist Dream
Grant! Soroptimist International of Willimantic Dream Grants help
women overcome obstacles to living their dreams. The new grant is
all about helping women who have faced economic and personal
hardships to live their dreams. The program helps women build a
better life for themselves. The Soroptimist Dream Grant
funds up to $500 which can be used for licensing fees, testing fees,
tuition or transportation including bus passes and gas cards. Please
visit our Awards Page
for more details on how to apply.
Save the Date ~ Our Heart
to Heart Ball will be on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at the Willimantic
Elks Lodge, 198 Pleasant St., Willimantic, CT
Upcoming Soroptimist Events ~
Nov. 29, 2019 -
Soroptimist International of Willimantic members will be serving hot
chocolate at Jillson Square for the
Town Of Windham Festival Of Light Parade/Tree
Lighting this Friday. It's always a great community
event!
Dec. 4, 2019 - Wednesday,
Holiday Dinner Party. 5:30pm to 8:00pm.
The Windham Club, 184 Club Road,
North Windham, CT. Enjoy a wonderful evening with a buffet
dinner, door prizes, and music by November Sound. $35.00 per person.
Please RSVP to Lisa, 860-455-9773, by 11/29. Spouses & guests are
welcome! Bring a friend! Please remember to bring your gifts for the
children at Village Heights. Family games and books are always good
choices. Also, we are looking for gently used or new purses of all
sizes for holiday gifts for Next Step. We will fill them with bath
gel, soap and lotion for their holiday gifts.
November 25 is the
International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women.
We would like to thank everyone who stepped forward to
"Take A Stand to End Violence Against Women".
Your generous donations to this annual campaign help support United
Services Domestic Violence Shelter providing safe housing, basic
needs and counseling for victims of domestic violence and the Sexual
Assault Crisis Center.
We extend a special thank you to Honorary Co-Chair, Wayne Norman,
Good Company WILI 1400 & 95.3, The Chronicle and Lebanon Life.
We extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all our sponsors,
guests, volunteers and members who made our Heart to Heart Ball such
a wonderful success. Your support helps us to empower women and
girls to live their dreams!!
Save the date for next year, Mar. 7, 2020.
Our club is part of Soroptimist International of the
Northeastern Region which totals ten clubs and over
200 members in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. World
wide, membership in Soroptimist International has
grown to nearly 100,000 women in about 120 countries and territories.
Our Name, Soroptimist, was coined from the Latin "soro" and
"optima" meaning the best for women. Soroptimists are truly women at
their best...professional and executive women of all ages, cultures
and ethnic groups who are known leaders in their fields.
We are making a difference in our local
community and in the world!
Dr. Bernice Szafarek, Past Governor of SIANER, and Joan Merritt,
Membership Chair of SIANER, recently sat down and talked with Marilyn Dayton,
host of a local community TV program, "From this Corner" about our international organization, SOROPTIMIST.
Host Marilyn Dayton says "Towards the end of the
show, you will find yourself wondering "what can I do?" This
organization provides ways to help improve the lives of women and
girls all over the world through programs leading to social and
economic empowerment."
March 13th, 2011 by Cathy Standiford, Past SIA President
Sometimes it takes a personal story to help people move from
disbelief and denial into action. At this weekend’s Women of the
World Conference, actress Ashley Judd shared a personal story
about her friend’s daughter. After an argument with her parents
at the Atlanta airport, the daughter was picked up by a pimp
within one hour, and ultimately disappeared for 5 days.
Fortunately she was found–but what happened during those five days
has changed her life forever.
This is the video of Judd sharing the story
and calling for action:
Ashley Judd: Children Are Not for Sex
Soroptimist International of Willimantic Dream Grants help
women overcome obstacles to living their dreams. The new grant is
all about helping women who have faced economic and personal
hardships to live their dreams. The program helps women build a
better life for themselves. The
