Press Release

Soroptimist International of Pasco-Kennewick is the ONLY U.S. Club to Win Soroptimist International Best Practice Recognition

August 11, 2009: At the Soroptimist International summer meeting in Denmark, 16 clubs worldwide were recognized for projects focusing on

1) Eliminating poverty and gender discrimination through ensuring women’s full social and economic rights;

2) Ending human trafficking and all forms of violence against women and girls;

3) Ensuring access to health care for women and girls;

4) Supporting programs that eliminate HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and other major diseases.

Soroptimist International of Pasco-Kennewick (SIPK) Club was the ONLY U.S. Club of 16 recognitions world-wide to receive an honor. Other countries included Brazil, Philippines, Japan, Italy, Norway, France, Italy, Bangladesh, UK, S. Africa, Malaysia, and Australia.

SIPK recognition was for “Ensuring Access to Health Care for Women and Girls”—for their Restorative Dental Services for Uninsured Women project. The objective of this project is to provide dental restoration and career mentoring to uninsured, low-income women with poor oral health in order to enhance self esteem and employability. SIPK partnered with Grace Clinic, Columbia Basin College (Please Don’t Quit Program), and local hairdressers to complete the makeover process.

Soroptimist International is an international organization of business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls. In more than 120 countries throughout the world, almost 100,000 Soroptimist members help women and girls live their dreams each and every day.

Soroptimist International of Pasco-Kennewick was chartered August 19, 1948. On that day, sixteen professional women from a wide array of backgrounds joined together to foster community service. SIPK was the first women's service club to be organized in the Tri-Cities.

SIPK has grown significantly over the years and continues to foster the ideals of service and support for women and children in our community. For over 60 years, these women have come together and led service projects throughout our region and across the globe to help better the lives of women.