Tag Archives: Soroptimists

SOROPTIMIST International have been described as “incredible ambassadors for women and girls in Ennis, Ireland, and around the world,” as a memorial honouring 100 years since the foundation of the organisation was unveiled in Ennis. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor PJ Ryan recently unveiled a monument at the Memorial Peace Park in Ennis. Also at the ceremony an Irish oak tree donated by the Tree Council of Ireland to mark the centenary was planted and a time capsule has been buried underneath. Rosalie Byrne-Muir, President, Ennis and District Soroptimist Club, thanked the Cathaoirleach and Ennis Municipal District for providing the location for the memorial plaque and oak tree. “Buried beneath the plaque is a time capsule. This was the idea of our member, Sarah Malone. Sarah researched the time capsule, and encouraged members and clubs from all over the country to contribute items. It contains profiles of local and national Soroptimists, historical documents and memorabilia so that the work of …

A MOTHER of three, living in a Direct Provision Centre on the border of Clare and Limerick, has been awarded the 2017 Clare Woman of the Year award by the Soroptimist International Ennis and District Club. Donnah Vuma, who is from Zimbabwe, has lived in Knockalisheen with her young family for more than three years, while she waits for her asylum application to be processed. In the centre, there are over 200 people, including families and single men. In 2009, a report by the University of Limerick’s Centre for Peace and Development Studies deemed the centre only suitable as a short-term solution. However, nearly 10 years later, 226 people continue to reside there. Donnah had hoped for a better future when she arrived in Ireland but, instead, found that she was unable to work. Rather than succumb to the very difficult economic and institutional life in the centre, with no freedom or choice over food choices or meal times, Donnah has …