Who: Soroptimist is an international volunteer service organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.
Vision: Be the voluntary service organization chosen by all business and professional women committed to improving the lives of women and girls.
Foundation: 1921, in Oakland, California
Soroptimist Name: Coined from Latin “soror”, meaning sister, and Greek “Optima”, meaning “best.” Sortpitmist is perhaps best interpreted as “the best for women.”
Our values: Human rights and the status of women, education, environmental issues, economic and social development, international goodwill and understanding
Number of clubs internationally: Around 3,000 Soroptimist clubs in 125 countries and territories throughout the world
Signature American Service Project: Women’s Opportunity Award, which provides monetary awards for education or training, enabling women to upgrade the job status or re-enter the work force. Soroptimists have awarded over $20 million since 1972 internationally.
Signature International Service Project: Project Independence – Women Survivors of War, which is to enable survivors to rebuild their lives. Currently, the program is working in the countries of Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Rwanda. This project is in partnership with Women for Women International.
Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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