About
Who We Are
Soroptimist was formed in 1921 in Oakland, California, at a time when women were not permitted to join service organizations. Our name, loosely translated from the Latin, means best for women.
A Soroptimist is a leader in her community. She believes that by joining with other women and engaging in awareness, advocacy and action in the service of her community and society, she can make the world a better place for all.
Using a three-pronged approach (awareness, advocacy and action), Soroptimists identify the special needs of the community - be it a big, industrial city or a small, rural town. Soroptimists then establish projects that best address these specific needs.
Soroptimist International incorporates five federations, of which Soroptimist International of the Americas is the largest with almost 160,000 members and supporters in 21 countries and territories.
The Western Canada Region, which is comprised of approximately 300 members in 15 clubs, covers the geographical area of British Columbia to Manitoba.
Our Vision
Women and girls have the resources and opportunities to reach their full potential and live their dreams.
Our Mission
Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.
Our Core Values
Gender Equality
Women and girls live free from discrimination.
Empowerment
Women and girls are free to act in their own best interest.
Education
Women and girls deserve to lead full and productive lives through access to education.
Fellowship
Women from varied backgrounds and perspectives work together to improve the lives of women and girls.
Board of Directors 2020-2024
Governor – Suzanne Heron
I am a settler grateful to live on the unceded territory of Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples of the Coast Salish Nation. I came rather late to Soroptimist. After a career in community development, organization development, and co-owning a toy store, I moved with my partner/husband Dolf to Victoria. There I met Joan Jackson, who introduced me to Soroptimist with the words, “improving the lives of women and girls.” Well - I had begun a women’s shelter/ legal support/ sexual assault counselling/ second stage housing organization in Ontario.
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It was there that I shed my rose-coloured glasses of a privileged upbringing and became an avid feminist. I believe that the ages-old imbalance of power in society between men as a whole, and women as a whole, needs to be addressed for the economic benefit and mental, spiritual and physical health, of women, girls, men, boys, whole families and communities.
So when Joan said, “improving the lives of women and girls,” I jumped at the chance to be involved. Call me radical: I believe that as long as one woman or girl in the world is oppressed, we all are. I believe it is the largely unconscious beliefs and values we hold about a hierarchical society, roles for men and women, the use of power to control, that create inequality, and give rise to violence, pornography, and all the other outward signs of inequality.
I love the fact that Soroptimist has been at the UN since the beginning, advocating for human rights. I love our Regional projects that strengthen our community and advocate for broad changes. I love to see women empowered to further their education and girls empowered to pursue their dreams, through our club’s Dream Programs.
Governor-Elect – Chari Grant
Chari Grant has been a member of Soroptimist International of the TriCities since the club’s chartering in 1999. In that time she has held every board position except treasurer, including two stints as president. Chari has enjoyed planning and organizing several of the club’s signature fundraisers – the Give Her Wings Awards events. She is thrilled to belong to an international organization that truly helps to educate, empower and enable women and girls. Prior to her appointment as Governor-elect, Chari was the Western Canada Region Fundraising Chair.
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Chari is a Chartered Insurance Professional who has worked in the insurance industry since 2000. A lifelong Tri-Cities resident, Chari graduated from Centennial Secondary. She has a BC in English from the University of Victoria and a diploma in non-profit arts administration from Douglas College.
Chari has also coached minor hockey and was a long-time leader with Girl Guides. Outside of work, when she's not volunteering with the Soroptimists, Chari enjoys gardening, traveling and spending time with her husband, two grown children and her wonderful circle of extended family and friends.
Membership Chair – Donna Duvall
Donna Duvall is a member of Soroptimist International Abbotsford-Mission; since joining in March 2016, Donna has been her club’s Treasurer and Publicity Chair; she helps with club programs and activities. Married 40 years, has two children and three grandchildren. Donna grew up on a farm in rural northern Saskatchewan and now lives in Mission, BC. As she slowly retires from 39 years in the bookkeeping business, she spends more time on her art business, painting pet portraits and hosting girls nite out paint parties!! Donna is a health associate with doTerra Essential Oils, loves reading and fibre arts in her spare time, and is looking forward to camping in the coming year with her newly rescued and renovated Boler trailer! Having finished serving her term as Treasurer, Donna has taken on the role of Membership Chair as of June 2022
Secretary – Shirley Stewart
I have been a member of SI of the Langleys since 2006. At my introductory meeting, I was taken with the collective of like-minded businesswomen in my community who had committed to making a difference in the lives of women and girls, not only in Langley but worldwide. I was hooked!
My father and grandfather were ahead of their time and felt strongly that women should be encouraged to succeed through education and employment. They welcomed women in their businesses as equals, and as we grew up, they made sure we knew we were valued and could do whatever we wanted! I am proud that my sons have grown up to share these values and are very aware of the Soroptimist programs and philosophies.
Professionally, I bring a background in working with government, event planning and many non-profit organizations. I hope my experience in these areas will assist the region and our clubs.
Over the Soroptimist years, I have been chair of all four pillars and served as club president three times. I have learned much from these opportunities and look forward to learning more as a Western Canada Region board member.
Treasurer – Susan Barber
A member of SI Chilliwack, Susan joined in 2018 and is currently serving as Public Awareness Chair.
Retired from 25+ years of clerical and administrative work, primarily in the public sector affiliated with BC government corporations and now enjoying more time with family, Soroptimist and some part-time barn work.
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A child of the 60’s and 70’s, I was fortunate to observe and experience a change in attitude towards women and ‘their place’. Also fortunate to have parents who taught us that we can be anything we want to be. Thank you mom and dad! Although the attitude was out there, it was a very slow go and often a struggle for women to graduate and follow a career path into something outside of teacher, nurse, secretary, not to minimize these careers by any means.
However, I felt over time they should lead women into more advanced careers in these sectors with paygrades to match…shouldn’t they? And here is where my brain spins and spins. Over the next few decades I would support any opportunities that would help advance women and girls to seek and pursue any career their heart desired. Often, I met young women that found it a struggle, unequal pay, lack of support among male co-workers/colleagues, to the point of harassment in some cases. There just didn’t seem to be much encouragement out there pointing girls and women in the direction of support that would help them achieve their career dream - AND THEN - I came across Soroptimist International via SI Chilliwack.
There was support all along and had been for decades. I could’ve been spreading the word earlier. As a single mom at one point in my life I even could’ve accessed the programs. I embraced the organization, I thought, ‘this needs to be shared’, we can offer so much support. So this has become my new job, the best job, the one that is the most rewarding.
Parliamentarian – Joan Jackson
Joan Jackson became a Soroptimist in the mid-90s when she lived in California. She was a Past President of SI Chico, California. She moved back home to Canada in 2006. Joan was the Charter President of SI Victoria Westshore in 2010 after working on the chartering for two years. She served as president of SIVW in its two first formative years, and again a few years ago.
Joan has served on each of the Soroptimist Pillars, with particular emphasis on Membership. She currently serves in SIVW in a number of support roles. She describes herself as a “lifer”.
