Eastern Canada Region of Soroptimist International of the America

Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) is part of Soroptimist International - the world's largest classified service organization for executive and professional women.

With almost 50,000 members in 19 countries and territories, Soroptimist International of the Americas is the largest of the four federations. Soroptimist International is (we are) a worldwide organization for women in management and professions working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women. A Soroptimist is a leader in her community. She believes that by joining with other women and engaging in awareness, advocacy and action in the service of her community and society, she can make the world a better place for humankind. Soroptimist, coined from the Latin "soror" and "optima" (the best for women), was founded in 1921 in Oakland, California. Eighty women in professions that included medicine, laboratory technology, education and printing formed the first Soroptimist club to "foster the ideals of service."

Soroptimist International comprises four federations, with nearly 100,000 members in 120 countries and territories throughout the world.

Soroptimist International has Clubs in the following cities in Ontario:

NEW Simcoe County NEW
Cambridge	Humber, Credit Valleys & Brampton
Dundas / Ancaster / Flamborough	Peterborough
Guelph	Stoney Creek - Niagara
Haldimand-Norfolk	Thunder Bay
Hamilton / Burlington	Toronto

Women’s Opportunity Award Winner Wins at Federation Level

Soroptimist International of Stoney Creek-Niagara submitted the winning application from Colleen Sword. We have just learned that Colleen’s application was selected from 28 Regional Candidates to win the Soroptimist International of the Americas Women’s Opportunity Award.

A single mother of four, Colleen deals with several challenges in her home life. Not only does Colleen personally suffer from Epilepsy, her children also have serious health challenges: three of her four have seizures, with one actually being diagnosed with Epilepsy. Two of her children have Autism, & one has ADHD (learning difficulties). Colleen does not see her situation as a barrier – rather an inspiration.

Colleen is attending Brock University enrolled in a four year combined Honours Psychology and Behavioural Science Technology Program, graduating in the Summer of 2010. She has ambitious plans to not only attend Teacher’s College in the fall of 2010, but will also continue her studies at Brock in the Applied Disabilities Studies Masters Program. She is determined “to prove to all those who saw only my disability, and not my ability, that I CAN do it!”

Congratulations Colleen!

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