Community Corner

Soroptimist International of Greater Hartford Celebrating 75th Anniversary

The below posting is a press release.

At a special dinner to be held at Angelo’s on Main in West Hartford, CT on November 17th, the Soroptimist International of Greater Hartford, CT will celebrate 75 years of fundraising, awarding scholarships and providing services to women and girls.  This organization’s mission is to empower women and girls socially, economically and educationally in our local community as well as globally.

Soroptimist International is made up of two Latin words “soro” and “optima” meaning “Best for Women”.  The international federation was founded in 1921 as an international volunteer organization for business and professional women.  Soroptomist International comprises of approximately 90,000 members in more than 120 countries and territories worldwide who contribute time and financial support to community-based projects that benefit women and girls.  Soroptimist International has two major initiatives locally and globally- campaigns to end human trafficking and domestic violence.  However, we do not stop there!

Since its inception on November 19, 1938, SIGH has championed the homeless, under-educated, abused, refugees or trafficked women and girls.  Additionally, Soroptimist volunteers have mentored, taught or tutored countless women and girls in self-defense, life skills, and motivational classes.  Our club has dedicated service time and donations to:  Network Against Domestic Violence in Enfield, Paul & Lisa Program, Oak Hill School- CRSE, South Park Inn in Hartford, Chrysalis Center, the Haitian Ministry, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Walk of Life, Freshplace food pantry, Girl Scouts of CT, Pocketful of Joy, Books to Dreams, soup kitchens and shelters in the Greater Hartford area.  

Twice a month, members visit women at the Soromundi Commons at the Chrysalis Center and the Girls Forum at Washington Media Arts Magnet school in Manchester.   At the Soromundi Commons in the Chrysalis Center, members provide fun activities, teach craft projects, and teach basic Life Skills to provide women starting a new life and treat the women at the YWCA Women in Transition Program to Thanksgiving dinner each year.  The  Girls Forum members meet twice a month with 5th grade girls interacting with speakers and then doing hands on activity projects related to that particular topic.  

Soroptimist International of Greater Hartford is a member of Soroptimist International, a 501(c)(3) volunteer service organization for business, professional and community-minded women who work to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.

To find out more about Soroptimist International of Greater Hartford, CT, please visit www.soroptimistner.org  or contact us at sigreaterhartford@soroptimist.net.   Don’t forget to visit us on Facebook! Interested?  Email MCallahan@Goodwin.edu.  


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