Soroptimists International – women inspiring action, transforming lives

Young students walk home from school in the lower Solu Khumbu District, Nepal

I recently spoke to a local group of Soroptimists International – women inspiring action, transforming lives. I joined them for dinner before I spoke & they were all fascinating, each member having led an interesting & professional life. Amongst them were teachers, pharmacists, a medical secretary & a social worker – professions which in themselves had been helping others.

One lady’s (I hope she won’t mind me sharing this!) first career was in computer programming, then she had 2 sons & decided to retrain as a lawyer, so worked nights, studied full time & then picked up her children from school, then went back to [night] work … That must have been incredibly difficult – I so admire that determination.

About a year ago, they asked me to speak on how my life had changed since becoming Lady Hamilton – which surprised me initially, then it seemed a very sensible question & certainly one which I’d never really comtemplated. I included things & concluded on ways I didn’t expect myself to. Mixing my work & family has at times been comical – holding a pony in one whilst typing on my laptop with with my other hand !

Most importantly, Soroptimists (soror = sister in Latin + optima = the best) which means ‘the best for women’ was set up in Calfornia in 1926. They improve the lives women & girls all over the world through their ‘educate, empower, enable‘ programme. They fundraise £millions every year, through their 80,000 club members in 132 countries. I felt truly excited by what they are achieving – especially as the mother of 3 girls (not forgetting Francis too, of course!) & loved this photo of 2 girls off to school in Nepal. There’s a quite chance a charity worker for Soroptimists International will come across Operation Orphan – the other charity I’ve got involved with earlier this year. Apley Farm Shop is a collecting point for any old blankets & winter clothes.