Soroptimist International President 2015-2017 announced

Soroptimist International is delighted to announce that Yvonne Simpson from the Federation of South West Pacific has been elected as International President 2015-2017. Yvonne will take up her post as President-Elect on 1st January 2014 and will succeed President Ann Garvie at the SI Convention in Istanbul in July 2015.

Yvonne has been a member of SI Westland, New Zealand since 1996. Inspired by a visit to a Soroptimist project in Bosnia in 2004, she made a strong commitment to actively improve the lives of women and girls, with Soroptimist programme and membership her particular passions. Her most recent programme work is as SISWP Federation Project Liaison for “Birthing in the Pacific”.

Professionally, Yvonne’s focus is on educational opportunities to empower high school students to reach their potential and includes international experience, careers and trades education. She has also had extensive experience in the provision of adult community education.

Her vision is for a growing organisation that is dynamic - where younger professional women want Soroptimist training and the opportunity to serve.

President Ann writes:

"I offer you, Yvonne, my warmest congratulations; your experience within the organisation and the wealth of your life’s knowledge will be invaluable to the organisation as we face the global challenges of poverty and injustice".

"You have illustrated your strength of leadership globally; few Federation Presidents have had to re-arrange their Federation’s Convention because of an earthquake, but in your capital city Christchurch you showed initiative and 'went by rail'. In addition, in partnership with International President Alice you launched the International President’s Appeal Birthing in the Pacific 2011-2013, the outcome of which is a credit to Alice, yourself, your Federation and to the global membership.

"I pay tribute to Past International President Alice for her leadership, commitment, dedication and panache as our International President, I offer Alice my sincere thanks and appreciation as a leader and a friend and I am absolutely certain that every member of Soroptimist International whose life you touched will agree with my sentiments and will cherish your time in office. Alice, I thank you for your dedication."

ENDS

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