Soroptimist Kuwait

“Soroptimism” is a global movement. We are part of a worldwide network of 80,000 business and professional women in over 132 countries who work to improve the lives of women and girls in their communities.

As Soroptimists, we are in a strategically important position to take action at a local, regional, and global level. We truly are “a global voice for women.”

Soroptimist International Club Kuwait (SK) was approved for chartering by the Federation of Soroptimist International Europe on October 23, 2015. From the original 28 members, the Club has grown to 60 members, and the Kuwait Soroptimist Society for Societal Development (KSSSD) was established as a Kuwait non-governmental organization (NGO) by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in August 2016.

Soroptimist Vision

Soroptimist International is committed to a world where women and girls work together to achieve their individual and collective potential, realize their aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide.

Soroptimist Mission

Soroptimists inspire action and create opportunities to transform the lives of women and girls through a global network of members and international partnerships. The name Soroptimist was coined from the Latin soror meaning sister, and optima meaning best. Soroptimist is perhaps best interpreted as ‘the best for women’. The first Soroptimist club was founded in Oakland, California, in 1921.

Soroptimist History

The Founding President was Violet Richardson Ward. In the first

constitution, the purpose of the organization was “to foster the

spirit of service as the basis of all worthy enterprises and to increase

the efficiency by its members in the pursuit of their occupations by

broadening their interest in the social, business, and civic affairs of the

community through an association of women representing different

occupations.“

That first club met weekly, debating service projects and hearing

speakers on various worldwide issues that would broaden members’

horizons. Their first project was to ‘Save the Redwoods’ – the great

ancient trees that were being cut down for timber. They lobbied the

California State Legislature took on powerful lumber companies and

won the support of the public. The result: a major portion of the forest

was set aside as protected land and still exists today.