The Ennis and District Soroptimist Club was presented with a certificate of recognition from Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Joe Cooney, on the 60th anniversary of its foundation, at a special lunch in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, on Sunday, 14th April.
Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement with a network of around 72,000 club members in 121 countries. The organisation advocates for human rights and gender equality. The Ennis and District Soroptimist Club was founded in 1964, with members from throughout County Clare.
Speaking at the lunch on Sunday, Cllr Joe Cooney, Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council, said: “The Ennis and District Soroptimist Club’s founding members: Maura Power, Peg Ruttle, Tras Honan, Marie O’Gorman and Ann O’Driscoll, could never have anticipated the success this club would go on to have and the difference it would make to the lives of women in our county. Your landmark achievements include your heroic fundraising efforts towards the establishment of St. Clare’s School. Your continued success has been reflected in the many awards the Ennis and District Soroptimist Club has received and in several of its members serving as national presidents of the Soroptimist Association of the Republic of Ireland.”
Cllr Cooney continued, “Clare County Council has joined with Ennis and District Soroptimists in raising awareness of the issue of gender-based violence and highlighting the abuse experienced by women and children in homes and relationships across Ireland. We want to live in a world of equality and safety for all, free from violence against women. Déanaim comhghairdeas leis na Soroptimists. I thank the Soroptimists for their important work over the last 60 years and I have no doubt that your contribution to gender equality and the empowerment of women in our county will continue long into the future.”
Gwen Murray Flynn, President, Ennis and District Soroptimist Club, highlighted the importance of the work of the Soroptimists in Clare and further afield: “If even one girl’s confidence is boosted because of the public speaking competition or if one woman calls out for help in a domestic violence situation because of the Orange the World campaign, then that is a success for Soroptimists.”
Ann O’Sullivan of Castlebar Soroptimist Club and President-Elect of the Soroptimist Association of the Republic of Ireland issued a call-out in the face of decreasing volunteerism in this world 60 years on from the establishment of the Ennis and District Soroptimist Club, “Your founding members set up the Ennis Soroptimist club to address the needs of women and girls then. It is now time to identify and address the needs of women and girls in today’s world. That should be the renewed purpose of Soroptimists in Ireland.”
Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy, long serving member of Ennis and District Soroptimist Club, thanked the Cathaoirleach for his support and solidarity, “Cllr Cooney has shown leadership in highlighting the challenges faced by volunteer organisations today. I thank him for reinforcing the need for continued efforts by the Soroptimists and others in the face of these challenges.”
The name ‘Soroptimist’ was coined from the Latin soror meaning sister, and optima meaning best. ‘Soroptimist’ may therefore be interpreted as ‘the best for women’.