To honour the women of our club on International Women’s Day, recognized annually on March 8th, at the last meeting each of our members was given a red carnation by Vice-President Shirley, after being grilled on a “did you know” cross-word about the rich history of this day. Here’s an excerpt about how it started:

100 years ago, a woman named Clara Zetkin had a dream.  She was the leader of the “Women’s Office” for the Social Democratic Party in Germany, and she was bothered by the lack of rights for women both in her country and around the world.  At that time, women in most countries did not have the right to vote.  Clara was one of many women around the world working to change that.

Clara’s dream was that in every year in every country around the world there should be a celebration on the same day—a women’s day.  It would be a day when women would gather together and advocate for their rights.  She pitched her idea at the second International Conference of Working Women being held in Copenhagen, Denmark that year.  And her suggestion was met with unanimous approval.

One year later, Clara helped organize the first International Women’s Day.  Its success exceeded all expectations—and 100 years later, we continue to celebrate it each year on March 8.  Read more on President Kathy’s blog »

This past Friday, a celebration of International Womens Day was held at McMaster University in the Student Centre atrium. This one day event was organised by female students and Soroptimist member Pauline was one of two local artists asked to display work. The day included a yoga display, a demonstration of modern dance and several singing artists.  The students also had table for donations to the YWCA which also displayed some of their many programs and projects.

How are you celebrating this year?

Soroptimist International is now offering beautiful cards as a fun and special way to share a gift, while telling the stories of amazing women helped through Soroptimist programs.

After you make an online donation, simply choose the occasion and image, and print your card. Folding is easy (view folding instructions) and the card fits in a regular envelope. There are sample cards for you to preview on the SIA website »

Quick update on Chocolate Fest 2010:

We ate until we couldn’t eat anymore and had to sit down! Guests were welcomed with plates, programs and Ferrero Rocher. Tables lined the walls with additional booths down the middle, interspersed with water & milk stations; such variety of vendors.

Next time we will go earlier because many stations had already run out of delicious things, such as chocolate chili. Sandy would be ashamed, but we didn’t even have room for red wine and the chocolate fountain actually went untouched … however, the earl grey cups by Weil’s were something special!

The music by the Hamilton Youth Steel Orchestra was great and so were the McMaster Dance Company performances. The silent auction room even had a Jazz Trio (guitar, bass guitar and drums) accompanying the giant chocolate fountain.

See you next year – bring comfy shoes and stretchy pants!

After about half a million votes poured in from all over the world, Mattel announced their newest career for Barbie on Friday. Voters had the opportunity to choose from an Architect, an Environmentalist, a Surgeon, a News Anchor, and a Computer Engineer. This was the first time during the course of Barbie’s 51 year history that fans were able to voice their opinion about her next career move and they were so surprised by the response that this year there will be two: News Anchor and Computer Engineer Barbie.

Barbie® I Can Be…™ dolls and accessories empower girls to play out different roles and “try on” fabulous careers, including computer engineer, the first Barbie® profession chosen by popular vote! This digital diva engineers the perfect geek-chic look, with hot pink accessories and sleek gadgets to match. The inspiring set also comes with a special code that unlocks career-themed content online, for even more digital play (how fitting)! – Mattel website

According to Lauren Dougherty, director of Barbie marketing for Mattel, voting for the Computer Engineer Barbie became viral amongst female engineers and other women in the tech industry. “All the girls who imagine their futures through Barbie will learn that engineers — like girls — are free to explore infinite possibilities, limited only by their imagination,” says Nora Lin, President, Society of Women Engineers. “As a computer engineer, Barbie will show girls that women can turn their ideas into realities that have a direct and positive impact on people’s everyday lives in this exciting and rewarding career.” – ChipChicklets

Computer engineer Barbie will be released in winter 2010, wearing a geeky binary code patterned t-shirt; she comes equipped with everything a modern day tech girl would need: a smartphone, Bluetooth headset, laptop travel bag, and a pink laptop with a dual monitor set up!

I’d also like to share the opening words of inspiration from our February meeting:

Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don’t do what they’re supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favours.
Careers end. BUT …

Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley’s rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley’s end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you … or come in and carry you out.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, mothers, grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life! The world wouldn’t be the same without some, and neither would I.

When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.

SACHA Chocolate Fest

The 6th annual Chocolate Fest and Silent Auction will be led in support of the sexual assault centre in Hamilton, SACHA. Tickets are $25 and a group of Soroptimists will be meeting at the main doors of LIUNA Station at 5:30 on Thursday February 11. See you there!

Many Thanks to the Soroptimist who participated in the Walk for Memories on January 31.  The highlight of the morning activities was 6 of us trying to cram into a 2ft x2ft photo box in the mall for a group picture.  Thanks Janet for funding the venture, too bad the pictures didn’t work out – we got Shirley’s hair and Jane’s shirt.  Marg and Judi how did you escape the picture with Mayor Fred? Anyway, we had lots of pics taken by SNAP for the March magazine.

The Alzheimer Society raised over $32,000 today with the help of our club.  Thanks everyone for another fun adventure.

Has it affected you?

Alzheimer Disease and other Dementias touch millions of people in North America. It not only affects the person with the disease, but also their families and friends. I walk every year in Memory of my Mother, who had Alzheimer Disease for 25 years and my father, who developed Vascular Dementia from suffering several strokes and later developed a mild Alzheimer Dementia, which is also known as Mixed Dementia. Four of my mother’s siblings developed Alzheimer Disease in their early 60’s. My family and my cousins all know the increased risks involved for us, with having immediate family members diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease. I walk to alert the public to this Disease and the “Title Wave” of increased incidence of Dementias that will be diagnosed as the population in this county ages. After age 65, one of ever 11 persons will develop the disease. After age 85, one in every 3 persons will contract the disease. We still are not close to a cure. Contrary to popular believe, Alzheimer Disease is not just a disease of older persons. With heightened awareness of early detection, we are now seeing people diagnosed in their 40’s and 50’s! I walk to support the programs that are offered to caregivers, who desperately need the respite. I walk to raise awareness for the disease. I walk to get funding for more research. I walk to support those, who are living with this disease and to support their families. – Barb McCoy

Our Dad has dementia. After a debilitating stroke in June 2008, he has crawled back and continues to work hard. He no longer can walk or speak. Advanced dementia and Parkinson has made mobility and conversation is a thing of the past. Every month we see a further deterioration.  For the past six months, although he still recognizes our two boys, his grandsons, he now can’t remember their names. The little things become milestones and time very precious. – Judi Partridge

Dementia in the news:

The Virtual Dementia Tour, a hands-on tool aimed at educating professionals who spend their days working with seniors, helps employees to better understand what it is like to suffer from a form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Read more »

McMaster University will be a key partner in a $1-million research project to improve support for people living with dementia. Read more »

In the news:

Executive Director, Leigh Wintz, was quoted (with a picture) in the The New York Times on January 4th about international event planning:

“Leigh Wintz, executive director of Soroptimist International of the Americas, a women’s organization, has managed to cope with the dollar’s fluctuations by expanding her skills far beyond those of a typical meeting planner, becoming a foreign currency trader. Ms. Wintz says she buys futures contracts for pounds, euros and other currencies up to several months before meetings in overseas destinations. She watches exchange rates daily and keeps track of seasonal patterns in currency movements. When the exchange rate drops to what she considers a good deal, she makes her move.

“A good time to buy for pounds sterling is usually early spring,” she said. Last year, when the price of a pound dropped to roughly $1.40 (it is now about $1.62), she bought a contract. “I made money on that deal. That’s the game you play.”

Ms. Wintz said she sometimes even paid a hotel or other service provider earlier than necessary to take advantage of a favorable exchange rate.” Read the full article »

New SIA President, Cathy Standiford of Garden Grove, CA, left for the Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) Conference in Cardiff, Wales. She will be posting highlites on her new SIA President’s Blog that launched at the beginning of her one year tenure on September 1, 2009.

The site is using actual blog software (same one as this website) so you can subscribe by RSS and keep up to date on what she has to say. Cathy keeps it updated at least weekly and she writes about really interesting topics on Soroptimist but also about Women’s Issues and public opinion. A good read!!