Soroptimists travel to Scarborough to highlight issue of violence against women and girls

More than three dozen women joined a day of action during the international campaign – 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Soroptimists from several Yorkshire Clubs, of which there are 18, caught a train to York and then travelled on to Scarborough, conversing with passengers to explain the reason for their journey

Many members wore orange clothing, as orange is the colour designated to the initiative by the United Nations, and carried placards and banners to raise awareness of the issue of Violence Against Women and Girls.

The colour orange was chosen to symbolise a brighter future, free of violence.

Angela Edwards, Membership Officer, said: “It went very well. We were really pleased with the turn out, but it’s difficult to work out exactly how many there were as everybody got on and off at different stations.

"There were 36 when we got to York , and most of those carried on to Scarborough, then we pretty much all went to Mother Hubbard’s for fish and chips.

"We had lots of conversations with people on the train about why we were wearing orange, but it’s hard to say how many we talked to in total.”

Soroptimist International is a global volunteer organization of women working to improve the lives of women and girls through education, empowerment, and enabling opportunities.

The Scarborough Club was formed in 1939 and over the years has taken part in numerous projects, not least of which was the opening of the Montrosa Care Home in Scarborough for 24 retired men and women in 1951.

Montrosa still exists, as an Independent Living Home, in a new building, opened in 2001, with professional staff but still with a Soroptimist as a Trustee.

The Scarborough, Malton and District club also offers support to two local Food Banks, one in Scarborough and one in Malton, recently focusing on sanitary products for women, womens’ toiletries and baby equipment.

Orange Cafes – to raise awareness of violence against women and girls – meet once a month around the 25th with members wearing orange, in a variety of venues throughout the Scarborough and Malton area.

Find out more about more about Scarborough, Malton and District Soroptimists at https://sigbi.org/scarborough/ .