SOROPTIMISTS TRULY INTERNATIONAL

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31153, 1 September 1966, Page 2

SOROPTIMISTS TRULY INTERNATIONAL

Soroptimists were a truly international fellowship, Mrs Molly McNabb told members of the Young Women’s Christian Association at their World Fellowship luncheon yesterday.

Soroptimism was a word which had been coined to describe the fellowship and the service it aimed to impart, said Mrs McNabb. It derived from two Latin words which translated literally as “best sister.” Women who were senior members of their profession were invited to join and because it was a classification club, each club had only one member from each profession. Classifications varied in different countries—in America woman rose to executive positions as undertakers and other unusual occupations. New Zealand soroptimists belonged to the British federation and had to abide by its rules but there were negotiations under way to form an Australian and New Zealand federation which would also embody other countries in the Pacific. It was not so easy for women in Eastern countries to form clubs, said Mrs McNabb. The reason there were so many outstanding women in Britain was that British

women had been career minded for a longer period. In New Zealand it was not quite so easy for women to rise to an executive level — “If a woman wants a big job she has to be better than the man who wants a big job.” Christchurch soroptimists had been established for 16 years and had a membership of 40. When a member retired from her profession, another of the same profession was invited to join.

There were seven clubs in New Zealand, five in the North Island and one each in Christchurch and Nelson. One of the most valuable benefits of soroptimism was the friendship it offered to members with women in many countries around the world. Clubs everywhere were united in their aims, sincerity of friendship, joy of achievement, dignity of service, integrity of profession and love of country, said Mrs McNabb.