During the 10 days leading up to the Soroptimist International 100th Birthday Event, 1-3 October, we invite every Soroptimist Club to light candles and make a wish for a better world for women and girls. Soroptimist International of Oakland, our founder club, will light the Soroptimist Flame on 21 September, The International Day of Peace, and from there we hope that Clubs will join us in lighting the Soroptimist Flame around the world, finishing with a Candle Ceremony led by our SI President, Sharon Fisher at our 100th Birthday Event.

The organisation of this Candle Ceremony ‘movement’ was undertaken in The Soroptimist International LAB. Here, a special TEAM was created for the Candle Ceremony and they shared ideas and inspiration, noting dates, sharing wishes and pictures.

Host of the Soroptimist International Lab, Marlène Van Benthem says: “The team of Soroptimists, and I are happy to support you with all your questions. With this link you can access the Soroptimist LAB and join our  TEAM: https://soroptimistlab.mn.co/sign_in. Together we will make this Soroptimist International 100 Candle Ceremony, a wonderful event, feeling our global connection, making wishes, and reaffirming our commitment to creating a better, more resilient, more sustainable, safe and equal world for women and girls. The theme for this year’s Day of Peace is “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world”, and what better wish could we make for our brilliant future! We are excited that Soroptimist clubs from 21 countries have already shared their plans with us for their own candle ceremonies – so please do join us and spread the word!”

How to take part in the Candle Ceremony

1. Choose a day and time suitable for you and your club members sometime between 21 September and 1 October.

2. Light four candles and make a wish

• one for our Soroptimist International organisation
• one for your Federation
• one for you country/region
• one for your Club.

 

4. Take a Photograph if meeting in person, or a screenshot of your Zoom ceremony, and post it on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), mentioning the Soroptimist International 100 Event registration page https://100.soroptimistinternational.org/si100 and using the Hashtag #Soroptimist100

Together with your photograph include your wish and a few extra thoughts on turning 100!

Here are a few ideas if you need a little help

“Soroptimist International Celebrates 100 years in action for Gender Equality and Women Rights!”

“We join our sister Soroptimists worldwide to Celebrate our 100th Anniversary and light a candle for a brilliant future for all women and girls!”

“Soroptimist International of [your club name) congratulate Soroptimist International on its 100th Birthday and light a candle for a brilliant future for all women and girls worldwide!”

“Soroptimist International of [your club name] congratulate Soroptimist International on its 100th Birthday and light a candle to “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world!”

“Soroptimist International Union / Region / Federation of [your Union or Region or Federation name] light a candle for Gender Equality and Human Rights for all!”

If you would like to download and use the image card please visit the SI Trello Board HERE