In Conversation with SI President Sharon Fisher

The SI Voices Podcast series kicks off with an inspired conversation between host, Allie Liu, and Sharon Fisher, the President of Soroptimist International, a worldwide organisation dedicated to achieving equality, and giving a voice to women and girls. Listen in for stories and insight from the 3rd of October 2020, the first day of the countdown to the global organisation's 100th year anniversary!

Transcript

Allie (Host)
Hello listeners. My name is Allie and I’m really excited to be talking to you all on our first SI Voices podcast. SI Voices is a podcast series hosted by Soroptimist International, a global organisation where we give a voice to women and girls. Today I have a very special guest with me. Hello Sharon - it’s so great to have you on the first SI Voices podcast. Are you excited? How are you feeling? 

Sharon (Guest)
Thanks Allie. This is certainly exciting as we start the countdown to our hundredth anniversary next October. We have a full year of activities planned all over our Soroptimist world so yes, I am excited. And I think our members are really looking forward to the coming year.

Allie
So Sharon you are the President of Soroptimist International for 2020 through to 2021. The President sounds like an important role… and a busy one! Can you tell us a little about what that being the President of SI means and what kind of things you do in your role?

Sharon
Well, I must say that being President during the pandemic is, of course, a much different presidency than I was expecting. Instead of spending countless hours on aeroplanes, everything is done online these days. Meetings, webinars, conferences, board meetings – all online. I try and accept as many invitations as possible to drop into meetings all over the world – something that would never be possible in person, and would not be possible without technology. There's no manual for times like this. So being the spokesperson for Soroptimist International means finding communication channels to create a global voice for women and girls. 

Allie
Wow. That must keep you so busy. And you speak so passionately, and you're really dedicated to advancing the rights of women, and I love that. I'm intrigued to know a little more about your journey and how you've got to be president of SI. Had you been involved with Soroptimist International for a while?

Sharon
I was a member for over 30 years, but originally as a single mother. I was really just looking for local women that I had something in common with and unexpectedly, I met an amazing group of women that I'm proud to call friends. When you hear stories of women and girls that have been lifted up as a result of a Soroptimist project, it's really hard not to get involved, but each time it seemed like there was more to do. And I always have loved the challenge to make a difference, through leadership.

Allie
That is amazing. You must be so proud of what you’ve achieved! So as you know, we’re entering the 100th year of Soroptimist International. 100 years! That’s an incredible feat isn’t it? And SI has grown so much since 1921 right?

Sharon
It all started with business and professional women and a few clubs in one country to clubs represented in over 120 countries today. I'm certain the vision of the founders has been exceeded. They wanted assurance we would be international. And we are that, and more. 

Allie
So much can happen in 100 years right? How do you think women and girls rights have changed or transformed in the last 100 years?

Sharon
In those early years, women in many countries couldn't even vote, and many couldn't get an education. So there's been progress just not enough. Today we're asking and expecting an equal voice at all tables. We're looking for equality. We have many supporters, but still not enough to create the change that we want. 

Allie
People might say that women's rights have come a long way since 1921. More women are in political spheres, although I'd say this is still quite imbalanced; more girls are in education now across the world, and there are lots of impressive and successful female CEOs. But do you still think there's a need for organisations like Soroptimist International to exist?

Sharon
Perhaps more than ever. It's said that our children's children might see gender equality. The estimate is over 100 years. So the more people engaged in women's rights, the better. Until we all experience equality, we certainly need organisations like Soroptimist International to play a role. 

Allie
Yes, sadly, time and time again, we’ve found that there continues to be so many obstacles in the way of gender equality and women's rights. But are you optimistic about the future of SI and the work we do for the advancement of women's rights?

Sharon
Well, all causes have obstacles and the important thing is to find a way around them, or through them. We need to find our voices to speak up for the advancement of women's rights. The jury is in, and the evidence tells us that gender equality is beneficial for everyone.

Allie
So Sharon, as President of SI, you launched what we call ‘The President’s Appeal’. And your appeal is focused on 6 key areas that make up ‘The Road to Equality’. Can you talk us through what areas and issues you felt were important to focus on during your presidency? 

Sharon
I wanted to bring the conversation to our members in local communities. I wanted them to talk about those who have been left behind because of inequalities. I committed to educate our members about FGM, domestic violence, trafficking, child and forced marriage, migration, and the rights of older women. We must have these conversations with our friends, our family and others, to create advocates for these issues. We first need to understand them if we are to have any hope of achieving gender equality.

Allie
Well I think that’s absolutely brilliant and you’re so right - these issues are so necessary to address if we want a world of true progression, peace, and a world were women feel safe and valued - and equal! Can you tell me about a time where you felt really proud of something you’ve accomplished during your time with SI – whether that be the president’s appeal or something else during your SI career? 

Sharon
Well, I always like to mentor others and help them with their journey and nothing makes me prouder than watching a Soroptimist of any level, who I have advised or mentored, taking their place in leadership. It truly is the way we can succeed as an organisation, being to encourage more leaders. It takes an entire team, and then some. I always consider my accomplishments that of the team, since it isn't all about me. Alone I can do little, I need a team.

Allie
I’m also really excited that with our 100 year celebrations, we are fully embracing the future. We’re having all these new channels and platforms to raise awareness, amplify the work we’re doing, and reach new people. We’ve got so much going on! A fabulous podcast, if I say so myself, we’ve got webinars which you’ve been speaking on with the most incredible speakers and experts, where I’m just in total awe when I listen. We’ve launched Instagram (give us a follow - @soroptimistglobal, cheeky plug), a zhushed up website and social media, and lots more exciting things to come. We do a lot of brilliant local grassroots work and projects. SI are also highly involved with international policy and discussions. Can you talk us through how this works and how we work with the United Nation centres?  

Sharon
Our work in the UN system is about influencing global policy. Our UN representatives are instrumental in working on issues and committees, where the conversations are taking place. By clubs and members having a voice and understanding these issues, they can advocate with local, regional, and national decision makers. We need to hold our governments accountable for implementing what they have agreed to.

Allie
All that high level policy stuff really interests me and I love that SI makes it really accessible for people to get involved in. SI really encourages people to contact local governments, lobby for women’s rights, and get involved with their local community. And I think that’s what the beauty is in having local work and a global reach. And finally, Sharon, can you tell me a standout moment or memory or event that really stuck with you during your time with SI and being a Soroptimist?  

Sharon
I think the standout moment for me is standing in a gateway in Sierra Leone in Africa on my very first visit to an international project. Dozens of teenage girls formed two lines to welcome us. And as they chanted their beautiful welcome song and we move past them, I was thinking how they were all mothers and only 14 years old and homeless before this project existed. I was so overwhelmed and I couldn't move as my eyes filled with tears of emotion. I had never experienced such joy as what I saw in their eyes for just having this chance, a chance that was made possible by Soroptimists. 

Allie
That is a brilliant story. Well, thank you so much Sharon, it's been so brilliant speaking with you. I know you're a busy lady, and as we've learned, you've got so much going on. So thank you so much for sharing time with us to talk about such important issues. You deliver with them with such passion and sincerity –  listeners, you should really check out our YouTube channel where Sharon has been speaking on several of the SI Voices webinars. You'll be blown away by Sharon's eloquence and insight. So thank you so much again. Do join us next time on SI Voices. It's been a pleasure speaking with you.