Soroptimist International is delighted to welcome Yvonne
Simpson, Hokitika, New Zealand, as International President for the 2015 – 2017
biennium.

Anyone who witnessed the Change of Insignia Ceremony at the
20th SI Convention, Istanbul would have clearly seen the joy and gratitude
shown by Yvonne Simpson as she took over the role of International President. In
1921, the first Soroptimist club was founded in Oakland, California under the
direction of founding President, Violet Richardson Ward and Yvonne now joins
the long and celebrated list of International Presidents, including Immediate
Past President Ann Garvie, Alice Wells, Hanne Jensbo and Margaret Lobo.

 

Photo: International President Yvonne Simpson at the Change of Insignia Ceremony with Immediate Past President Ann Garvie

Yvonne Simpson says: "Being President gives me, an
ordinary member, the extra ordinary opportunity to channel my energies, my
skills and my passion into contributing to a better world. It is a huge
privilege to hold such a position and a huge responsibility to carry it well.
The position is not about me as a person, it is about carrying the message of Soroptimist
International to our partners, our connections
at the UN, and our communities: that women and girls are entitled to live in a
world free from violence, to be educated to reach their full potential, and to participate
in decisions that affect them".

As is tradition, Yvonne’s long association with Soroptimist
International affords her a unique knowledge and understanding, not only of
SI’s history, but of the day-to-day challenges of an international NGO. Yvonne
explains: “There is no success without a successor. Our responsibility as leaders,
whether at club, region, federation or international level is to nurture and
include those who will follow; to play a part in
the organisational transition and when the time is right, to hand over the
baton. My experience teaches me that there is always something to learn. This
same experience reinforces the importance of caring and supporting volunteers at
all levels; it helps me to understand the grassroots delivery of our Mission.
As we look forward, we have the opportunity to build on what the previous biennium has achieved and unite the Federations in
order to increase our impact as the Global Voice For Women".

 

Photo: SIGBI President Jenny Vince, International President Yvonne Simpson, SWP President Carolyn Hudson

Yvonne has held positions at Westland High School for some
33 years, including that of Director of International Programmes. Together with
her voluntary work with Soroptimist International, Yvonne has clearly shown her
devotion to education and the advancement of women globally. With this lifelong
commitment to education and leadership, Yvonne believes that, "we are
leaders when we influence others. True leadership embraces the needs of men and women, boys and girls; we all have a
role to play”.

Yvonne’s leadership skills were put to the test during 2012,
when a 6.0 earthquake struck 100km west of Christchurch, New Zealand. Her
Westland Club was preparing to host the Soroptimist
International of the South West Pacific Conference and Yvonne responded
by mobilising her team and organising a West Coast conference at short notice;
the local club successfully hosted over 300 delegates from around the world.

 

Photo: International President Yvonne Simpson speaking at the 20th SI Convention, Istanbul

The next biennium promises a time of both reflection and
action. Looking ahead Yvonne believes Soroptimists must take the steps to
leadership: ‘Lead
Ourselves, Lead Others and Lead the Organisation’. She explains:
"Soroptimists will have the opportunity to
learn more about the organisation and be encouraged to step up, to take
leadership at SI level. We have established a Leadership Development Committee
who will address ‘Educating Soroptimists to Lead’ and look at providing
training for this through webinars. Furthermore, through the December 10th
President’s Appeal, we will look to work with partners in order to provide
education and leadership opportunities for women and girls in Nepal. With the
help of the Federations, Clubs and membership, we intend to make a significant
contribution to the well being of women in Nepal”.

 

Photo: International President Yvonne Simpson with Deepa Khakurel, General Secretary of SI Club 
Kathmandu, Nepal

As we approach key dates such as the United Nations
Sustainable Development Summit 2015 in New York later this month and CSW60 in March 2016, Yvonne
emphasises the importance of our advocacy work and also in encouraging new
members. "We will be looking to develop meaningful partnerships to strengthen
our voice for Advocacy and celebrate our successes through social media, looking
to actively engage more women to join us in fulfilling our Mission. This
Mission is as relevant today as it was when SI was born. I look forward to
working with the SI Board of Directors, who are passionate and compassionate
women, and with the dedicated and focused officers and staff. Together, as a team representing  the Soroptimist membership, we are capable of
bringing our Mission alive. Together we will make a difference.”

 

Photo: Yvonne
Simpson receiving the Queen Service Medal from Governor General of New Zealand. "Receiving this award was a
very humbling experience. It was a privilege to represent the Educate, Empower
and Enable work achieved collectively by Soroptimists, and to wear the New
Zealand Soroptimist korowai (cloak), Te
Amo Oranganui Ki Te Au (Bearer of Wellbeing to the World).