Pleasanton Soroptimists Work to Benefit the Community

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

The role of women in the community has changed dramatically in the past century. A major reason for this change has been the gathering of women into groups that work to improve their status and demonstrate their value. Notable among these groups is Soroptimist International. Soroptimists are women of all ages, cultures, and ethnic groups that represent a wide array of professions who believe that by joining with other women and engaging in awareness, advocacy, and action in the service of their community and society, they can make the world a better place.

Soroptimist International was founded in 1921 and has grown to include approximately 100,000 members in 120 countries worldwide. The Pleasanton/Dublin chapter of Soroptimist International was founded in 1956 and has been engaged in local and global community service ever since. Soroptimist efforts have included raising money to fight cancer, digging wells in Ciapas, funding the removal of land mines in Laos, and working for literacy in the community. "Wherever there's a need we find it and fill it," says Corrine Mavridis, delegate, former president, and local historian for the Soroptimists. "It doesn't have to be a big fund raiser or money-making proposition - we help the community."

Many noteworthy women have been Soroptimists, including a United States Supreme Court justice, the first woman to serve as the mayor of a large city in the U.S., and the 1962 recipient of the United States President's Award for Distinguished Civilian Service. Soroptimist International of the Americas' clubs are located throughout Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, United States, and Venezuela.

Soroptimist International seeks women working in a management or professional capacity or in an occupation with similar status or responsibility. The group also welcomes a limited number of women who are starting out in their careers, taking a career break, or are no longer working. "It takes a certain kind of woman to be a Soroptimist," Mavridis says. "Soroptimists are certainly dedicated. At the international conventions, you see powerful community-minded women from all over the world." As the Pleasanton/Dublin delegate to Soroptimist conferences, Mavridis has met many of these women in person.

For more information on Soroptimist International, visit the organization's web site at www.soroptimist.org. For information about the Pleasanton/Dublin chapter, contact Patricia Kenny-Schliebe at (925) 417-2962 or Corrine Mavridis at (925) 484-1902.

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