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 A message from President Machiko Yamada
山田眞知子会長からのメッセージ
March is the month we honor women, with International Women’s Day (March 8) and Women’s History Month (in the United States). While we celebrate, however, we must ask ourselves: How much progress have women really made? Sadly, not enough. That’s why our mission is more important than ever. As Soroptimists we can be proud of all we do to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.
One of the ways we draw attention to the challenges facing women is through our Live Your Dream Campaign and its award-winning site www.liveyourdreamcampaign.org. I hope you’ll visit there often to see the exciting, new features we’ve added: video “webisodes” of a past Women’s Opportunity Award recipient; a fresh, new blog by a past Violet Richardson Award winner; inspirational e-cards; words of guidance from a life coach; fun contests; and a message board where you and other visitors can post your dreams.
It’s also time to take a fresh look at our Renaissance Campaign. Do you realize that next year, in 2009, the campaign is scheduled to end? I urge you to work toward the goals and look at ways you can recruit and retain membership. A healthy membership is vital to the other components of the campaign (program, public awareness and fundraising), and critical to what we do.
As you read this, our region conferences are underway, and our 40th Biennial Convention in Taipei, Taiwan, is drawing near. These meetings are wonderful opportunities to reconnect with each other and reaffirm our commitment to our Soroptimist mission. Working together, we celebrate women and girls not just in March, but every day of the year. As Soroptimists, we truly are making a difference in their lives!
Machiko Yamada
2007-2008 President
Soroptimist International of the Americas
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