About Us
Women at their best, working to help other women to be their best
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. Today, we have about 160,000 members and supporters in 21 countries and territories. We are one of four federations that make up Soroptimist International, which has clubs in more than 120 countries throughout the world.
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
Diversity & Fellowship
Women from varied backgrounds and perspectives work together to improve the lives of women and girls.
Our Clubs and Members
Soroptimist International of the Americas has about 1,300 clubs in 21 countries and territories who work to economically empower women and girls. Soroptimist clubs receive assistance in their volunteer efforts by participating locally in programs developed and sponsored by the Soroptimist organization.
Contact Us
Soroptimist International of the Americas, Inc.
1709 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Get to Know Us
Learn more about who we are and what we do.
Our Impact
Our years of experience working with women and girls has taught us that education is the key to unlocking economic empowerment of the world’s women and girls. When women and girls are educated, they have opportunity, choice and power to make healthy decisions for themselves and their families.
Read about our impact in FY19-20
Our Board
Our international Board of Directors includes members from throughout the 21 countries and territories in which we operate.
Myra Paz V. Abubakar
Zamboanga City, Philippines
Deb Cook
Fairhope, PA, USA
Sonia Maria Da Silva Loyola
Curitiba, Brazil
Taeko Endo
Sendai City, Japan
Elizabeth Jane “BJ” Gallagher
Rosedale Station, Canada
Sing-Hwang (Teresa) Hsu
Taipei, Taiwan
Yukiko Kaneko
Hiroshima City, Japan
Clara Luces De Orue
Asuncion, Paraguay
Freda Powell
Amarillo, TX, USA
Stephanie Smith
Oak Harbor, WA, USA
Our Senior Staff
Our staff, located in our headquarters office in Philadelphia, PA, is made up of professionals dedicated to the Soroptimist mission. We work in collaboration with our Board, leaders, and members to help women and girls live their dreams.
Michelle Burnett
Chief Operating and
Financial Officer
Lori Blair
Vice President,
Impact and Strategy
Iesha Brown
Vice President,
Stakeholder Engagement
We work to empower women every day.
At Soroptimist, we are all about empowering women and girls. But what does that really mean?
Learn More
Our Partners
Special thanks to our current and past partners for believing in us and the women and girls we help.
Unlock the potential of women and girls
People like YOU are helping women and girls around the world achieve their goals. Donate now and help them live their dreams.