Helping
women and girls.
Celebrate with us on March 8th!
International Women’s Day is a global day of celebration and activism, with millions of people around the world coming together to demand gender equality and women’s rights. The theme of IWD changes every year, with recent themes including “Invest in women: Accelerate progress” (2024), “DigitALL” (2023), “Break the Bias” (2022), “Choose to Challenge” (2021) and “Each for Equal” (2020).
What’s the purpose of International Women’s Day?
IWD has been a significant platform for women to raise awareness about their struggles and achievements. Throughout history, women have had to fight for their rights, from suffrage to workplace equality. IWD has served as a platform for women to share their stories, connect with other women, and demand action from governments and institutions.
In recent years, IWD has taken on a new level of significance, as movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp have shone a spotlight on the pervasive problem of sexual harassment and assault. IWD has become a rallying cry for women around the world who are speaking out against gender-based violence and demanding systemic change.
Despite the progress that has been made over the years, women still face significant barriers to equality. In many parts of the world, women are paid less than men for the same work, are denied access to education and healthcare, and are subjected to violence and discrimination. IWD serves as a reminder that the fight for gender equality is far from over, and that we must continue to work towards a world where all women can thrive.
International Women’s Day is an important day to recognize the achievements of women throughout history, to raise awareness about gender equality, share women’s stories, demand action, and rally people around the world to keep fighting for a more just and equal world.
International Women’s Day 2025: How You Can Help!
The UN’s theme for Women’s History Month 2025 is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” This calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power, and opportunities for all. At Soroptimist, we embody this as we invest in the dreams of women and girls worldwide.
Together, we can provide resources and support to women and girls who face barriers to achieving their goals, and help them to build brighter futures for themselves and their communities! Help us reach more women and girls today!
We are a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.
Our programs help women achieve economic independence, increasing their ability to leave behind domestic violence, trafficking, and other situations resulting from financial insecurity.
Our monthly community presentations are open to the public to help raise awareness of key issues (and the people working hard to address them!) related to economic insecurity faced by women and girls in our community.
While Soroptimist was originally formed as a women-only club, today we welcome all community members to join us in our mission. If you are passionate about the rights and well-being of the women in our community, you’ve found the right club!
Don’t have the bandwidth to invest your time in our mission? Donate today, and we’ll ensure your dollars are put to good use in supporting women who are coming out of life’s most difficult situations, into a new and brighter future. Our causes: Women’s Education, Anti-trafficking, Intimate partner Violence, the challenges faced by single mothers, and the issue of period poverty.
The longest running
women’s service organization
in Bend.
Soroptimist International of Bend, Oregon is a non-profit organization that has been helping women and children in Central Oregon for 81 years. The first Soroptimist club was formed in 1921 by a group of 80 women in Oakland, California. Soroptimist International of Bend was chartered in August of 1943.
The name, Soroptimist, means “best for women,” and that’s what the organization strives to achieve. Today, Soroptimists are community members (not just women!), working to help women and girls to be their best.
Soroptimist is an international organization for passionate community members who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Almost 95,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community-based and international projects that benefit women and girls
Our Vision
Women and girls have the resources and opportunities to reach their full potential and live their dreams.
Our Mission
Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.