The Story of
Kenya in Soroptimist International
1921
The 1st Soroptimist Club is Formed
In 1921 in Alameda County California, the first Soroptimist club was formed. It was made up of 80 business and professional women from in and around the city of Oakland.
With Violet Richardson as the first President, the first club met weekly to debate service projects and hear speakers on various worldwide issues that would broaden members’ horizons.
Charter members of the first Soroptimist Club, 1921
1924
Suzanne Nöel founded Soroptimist International of Paris in 1924, the first Soroptimist club in Europe using her worldwide lecturing series to share the Soroptimist concept and messages, prompting the establishment of clubs all over Europe.
Nöel later became the first President of the European Federation.
In 1928, the Foundation of both the American and the European Federations and a Soroptimist International Association was created to provide a link between the Federations.
1934
in 1934, Europe, Great Britain & Ireland were to form separate Federations.
During this decade, many service projects were taken on e.g. vocational training for women and children, housing for the disadvantaged, assistance for the sick and disabled, and the caring of refugees.
Australia joined the network in 1937 with the first of its clubs forming in Sydney, Eastern Australia.
An international convention in Atlantic City is held where
Soroptimists gathered from all over the world
1939
During this time, Soroptimists embarked on rescuing members of the SI Vienna club and their families, threatened by the Nazi regime. American Soroptimists donated funds and clothing and many clubs across Europe were forced to meet clandestinely, making and mending clothes, and preparing all manner of items that were needed.
Soroptimists opened Rest Rooms for women in the forces and a New Zealand club set up a refugee relief committee for people escaping from Europe.
1948
In 1946, Soroptimists held a reception for delegates to UN conferences, which included Eleanor Roosevelt, and in 1948, the Soroptimist International Association was awarded Consultative status with UNESCO.
In 1950, the Association was awarded category C Consultative status with ECOSOC (Economic & Social Council, United Nations).
In 1966, UNICEF granted consultative status to Soroptimist International for service projects for children and in 1975, Soroptimists attended the First UN World Conference on Women which was held in Mexico City.
US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt is the honored guest and speaker at a weekly luncheon of the Washington DC Club in 1943
1952
In 1952, the governing body of Soroptimist International was founded, as it is today.
1978
In 1978 the very first Quadrennial Project got underway in the Maldives.
The training of 20 paramedics and providing 14 medical boats to carry health workers, medical drugs, supplies and equipment to the people in the remote Maldives atoll islands in the Indian Ocean.
Also this year, SI of the South West Pacific Federation was born, with Mary Whitehead as Founding President.
1982
This year saw the first President’s December 10th Appeal, a bi-annual Appeal that still stands strong, bringing countless benefits to women and girls across the world.
Catherine Salt chose the very first President’s Appeal project on the island of Pulau Bidong, Malaysia, helping refugee women and children.
Pulau Bidong was the first asylum centre run in co-operation with UNHCR and provided housing, care and maintenance, including medical and social services for refugees awaiting re-settlement.
1984
Soroptimist International was granted Category 1 Consultative status (now General Consultative Status) with ECOSOC.
1987
In this year, the idea of an African Federation of Soroptimists was born in Athens, Greece.
The proponents of this idea at the conference were Gisela Freudenberg —Soroptimist International officer in charge of Extension in Africa (1987), and Nina Koumanakou who was then President of Soroptimist International of Europe (SIE).
1989
Reflections towards the idea of an African Federation continued in 1989 at another SI Congress in Lugano, Switzerland with Nigeria’s Adetoun Bally.
1993
In this year, a preparatory meeting was held in Dakar, Senegal in the presence of SIGBI and SIE Presidents. Since then, regional meetings and general conferences where held every year, rotationally hosted by different African cities.
2006
At the Nairobi General Assembly in 2006, Boards were set up for sub-regions.
2020
The creation of the Soroptimist International African Federation was officially inaugurated by the President of Soroptimist International 2020 - 2021, Sharon Fisher at the Soroptimist International Annual General Meeting (SIAGM) on 30 June 2020.
It thus becomes the 5th Federation of Soroptimist International in the world.
SIAF Setup
Structure of the African Federation
The African Federation is currently set up as shown below:
Eastern Region
Kenya
Uganda
Tanzania
Rwanda
Malawi
Mauritius
Seychelles
Madagascar
Western Region
Ghana
Cameroon
Senegal
Burkina Faso
Togo
Benin
Guinea
Mali
Ivory Coast
Nigeria
Sierra Leone
Gambia
Northern Region
Egypt
Morocco
Tunisia
Niger
Southern Region
South Africa
Zimbabwe
Our Leadership
Board Members
The current term has the following members forming the leadership of Soroptimist International Kenya Country:
Former Presidents
Leadership Over Time
Our Former Presidents
