The Dublin Convention Center where the Soroptimist International event was held.
Mariposa SI President Debbie Lester and Merced SI President Janet Kasper.
Necola Adams is pictured with part of the delegation from Nigeria.
By WALSH, CASSADY & WALSH
Soroptimist International (SI) held its quadrennial international convention in Dublin, Ireland during the last week in July.
Soroptimist International is a worldwide membership organization whose mission is to achieve gender equality for women and girls and serve as a global voice for women. Our membership works on grassroots projects that help women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential, realize aspirations, and have an equal voice in communities worldwide. More than 66,000 members in 118 countries work to transform the lives of women and girls.
Highlights of the convention were keynote speaker Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland, and Renata Dwan, policy expert on peace and conflict issues with the United Nations.
Over 1,700 Soroptimists attended the Soroptimist International Convention including over 150 from the Sierra Pacific Region of SI of the Americas. Soroptimists in the Sierra Pacific Region belong to local clubs from Taft to San Francisco, Los Banos to Mariposa, and San Mateo to San Luis Obispo.
The Soroptimists from the local area who attended included Janet Kasper, president of SI Merced, Debbie Lester, president of SI Mariposa, and Necola Adams and Susan Walsh, members of SI Merced.
Local Soroptimists had the opportunity to share ideas and strategies and attend workshops with Soroptimists from around the world. Topics included: Good health and wellbeing — SI Africa Federation; Quality education – SI of the Americas; Gender equality — SI Europe; Women leading the way on climate change — SI Southeast Asia Pacific.