Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.
Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA)
Headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, Soroptimist International of the Americas has more than 1,300 clubs in 20 countries and territories who work to improve the lives of women and girls.
Soroptimist International (SI)
SIA is one of four federations that comprise Soroptimist International which is headquartered in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1921, Soroptimist International is an international organization for business and professional women who provide volunteer service to their communities. Almost 100,000 Soroptimists in 124 countries and territories around the world contribute time and financial support to community–based and international projects benefiting women and girls.
The other three federations are Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland, Soroptimist International of Europe, and Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific. Use the online map to search for a club through the world.
The clubs of Soroptimist International strive for human rights for all, equality, development and peace through international understanding and friendship. Because of their work, SI holds category 1 consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations International Non-Governmental Organization.
Soroptimist International launches a major international project in partnership with a charity, NGO (nongovernmental organization), or United Nations agency. Each project is designed to be self-sustaining by the end of Soroptimist’s four-year commitment. Soroptimist members around the world join forces to give active support to the chosen project and in doing so, have improved the lives of many thousands of women and children around the globe.
Our new long-term project (2011-2021) is “Education and Leadership.” Our previous four-year Soroptimist International project was “Project Sierra: a Family and a Future” which supported women in Sierra Leone, West Africa, who were caring for children in extreme poverty. It provided a caring, secure family home for children who are alone or at risk of abandonment. Our project partner was Hope and Homes for Children.
Other past projects have included support for the Dignity Program in Paraguay, the Ho Chi Minh Youth Shelter in Viet Nam, and Project Independence: Women Survivors of War in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Rwanda.
“It is the policy of Soroptimist International to be concerned with international and national issues that relate to its objectives and programmes. On matters of political controversy between nations, or party politics and of sectarian religion, Soroptimist International maintains a position of strict neutrality.” (From SI Constitution)