Japan Chuo Region , Soroptimist International of the Americas

Japan Chuo Region , Soroptimist International of the Americas

We are a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.
The name of this organization “Soroptimist” literary means “best for women”  from the Latin.

In 1921,Soroptimist was formed in Oakland, California, USA, when there were no organizations that allow women to participate. Violet Richardson was the first President.

The first club overseas, London Club, was chartered in U.K. in 1924, and then in Paris by Suzanne Nöel, these were the first Soroptimist clubs in Europe.
In the meeting of 1928 both the American Foundation and the European Federation were approved, and at the same time the Constitution of the Soroptimist International Association was adopted. In 1934 Great Britain & Ireland Federation were born and then in 1937 Sydney Club, the first club in Australia was chartered and Australia joined the network of this international organization.
In 1948, the Soroptimist International Association was awarded Consultative status with UNESCO, then awarded category C Consultative status with ECOSOC (Economic & Social Council, United Nations) in 1950.

In 1952 the governing body of Soroptimist International (SI) was founded and up to now. 
Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement with a network of around 72,000 club members in 121 countries. Soroptimist International, headquartered in Cambridge, England, has consultative status (General Consultative Status) with the Economic and Social Council at the United Nations and is a recognized authority on matters that women value most.
There are five Soroptimist Federations under the umbrella of Soroptimist International now; Soroptimist International of the Americas(SIAF), Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), Soroptimist International of Europe (SIE), Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI) and Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific (SISWP).
Each Soroptimist Federation consists of their member clubs, established within the territorial limits of the Federation.
1982 saw the first President’s December 10th Appeal, a bi-annual Appeal that still stands strong, bringing countless benefits to women and girls across the world. 

We Japanese Soroptimist belong to SIA. And the objects of the Federation is to pursue the vision that women and girls have resources to reach their full potential and live their dreams; to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment; to work in coalition with Soroptimist International and other Soroptimist federations.
Soroptimist International of the Americas is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

SIA  Dream Programs are primarily delivered locally by our clubs and members in 21 countries and territories. They provide the muscle and on-the-ground work that make our programs come alive.

SIA Dream Programs;”Live Your Dream: Education &Training Awards for Women” give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.
“Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls” gives girls the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence, and abuse.

Japan Chuo Region is one of 29 regions in SIA, now it contains with 126 clubs, about 2,600 members, in the districts of 14 prefectures, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Wakayama, Shiga, Nara, Shizuoka, Nagano, Gifu, Aichi, Ishikawa, Toyama, and Fukui. The region office is placed in Kyoto.
In 1960 , the first Soroptimist club in Japan was born in Tokyo and in 1964 the third Soroptimist   club was chartered in Kyoto.
In　1976, Japan Region  was recognized by SIA at the SIA’s Convention in Boston, USA . And Kayoko Sen became the first  governor of Japan Region. “ The founder governor day on October  6　“ has been designated in honor of Kayoko Sen.
After growing memberships, in 1986 , Japan Region was divided into five regions; Japan Kita, Japan Higashi, Japan Chuo, Japan  Nishi and Japan Minami.

We members have been working together under the policy of SIA, encourage women and girls in each area, through SIA’s Dream Program, such as “Live Your Dream: Education & Training Awards for Women” and “Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls.” ,and supporting community-based and global projects benefiting women and girls.