Harrogate Borough Council have created a flower mural in the town centre to celebrate 100 years since the founding of the Soroptimist International women’s organisation.
Soroptimist International is an organisation aimed at empowering and improving the lives of women worldwide. It tackles issues such as domestic violence, child marriage and human trafficking.
The organisation has its’ own Harrogate and District branch which is reaching its 90th anniversary.
It consists of 37 members who work locally to support women’s refuges, food banks and other women’s causes.
In July of 2019 they held a Zoom conference for women in the organisation to speak to their ‘friendship links’ worldwide during lockdown.
The name ‘soroptimist’ comes from the Latin for ‘better sister’.
The mural can be found in Harrogate town centre on Montpelier Hill.
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Award for Harrogate scrubs campaign leader
The coordinator of a community project to create more than 4,000 sets of scrubs for key workers has been honoured by a women’s group in Harrogate.
Fran Taylor was invited to speak at a virtual meeting of Harrogate and District Soroptimists, outlining how her plan to make a couple of sets of scrubs for staff at Harrogate District Hospital turned into a major campaign.
She set up a Facebook group, Harrogate Scrubbers, asking others to sew scrubs or donate money for material. Within 24 hours, 200 people had signed up and more than £4,500 had been raised.
Five weeks later, an army of 800 volunteers were cutting out, sewing, organising and delivering the vital scrubs, masks, laundry bags and headbands to NHS staff.
The volunteers worked closely with the hospital and other organisations to ensure the right equipment went to the right places, expanding to care homes and GP surgeries too.
Fran Taylor is presented with the award by Harrogate and District Soroptimists president Sandra Frier.
After hearing her tale, the Soroptimists presented maths teacher Fran with their Making a Difference award. President Sandra Frier said:
“It was a great pleasure to be able to meet Fran and, whilst socially distancing, present the Making a Difference award to her, together with a cheque for the Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity, in recognition of someone who has made a real difference for our community.”
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