“Stop Human Trafficking” Conference held September 1, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Raleigh, NC (Sept. 1, 2010) - A form of modern-day slavery, human trafficking is the second largest international criminal industry—behind only drug trafficking—and the fastest growing. Human traffickers use fraud, force and coercion to recruit and control their victims. North Carolina is ranked in the top ten states for the presence of human trafficking.
Soroptimist International of Raleigh, NC (Soroptimist)—a non-profit volunteer service organization of business and professional women committed to improving the lives of women and girls—and the Triangle J Council of Governments (Triangle J COGs) co-hosted a conference, “Stop Human Trafficking” on September 1, 2010 to address this serious issue in our state. The conference was attended by over 75 individuals, including elected officials, city/county managers and law enforcement personnel from across the seven-county region. It was held at the Hayes Barton United Methodist Church in Raleigh.
This conference accomplished its goal of addressing the specific issues and challenges in North Carolina by learning from the experiences in other communities, reviewing promising practices, and considering which practices to adapt and implement in our communities across the region. Equally important is the intended outcome to spur the creation of a timely, seamless referral system for citizens to report potential human trafficking situations to trained and responsive authorities.
The successful day-long session was led by notable speakers, including the honorable Ms. Shirley Franklin, former Mayor of Atlanta, GA; the honorable Ms. Nola Theiss, former Mayor of Sanibel, FL and Mr. Anand Ramaswamy, US Assistant Attorney, Eastern Region, NC. All have proven records for stopping human trafficking; from initiating a powerful public relations campaign to lessen demand, to consulting with communities on how to structure their response, to building a strong case for the prosecution.
More than 40 law enforcement personnel were trained in human trafficking and examined ways to respond to citizen calls regarding potential human trafficking situations. Detective C. B. Congleton, state-wide trainer from Pitt County Sheriff’s office, and Danielle Mitchell, Director with World Relief, conducted the training.
Conference attendees are in a “unique position to end a growing threat to the well-being of the community and save lives of numerous residents,” as noted by Mike Cross, Chair, Triangle J COGs in a recent communication to members of the organization.
Soroptimist has made the elimination of human trafficking one of its primary focuses. The organization has held multiple forums across the state to raise awareness and foster taking action that will put a stop to this abhorrent crime. To learn more about the conference or how you can get involved in the efforts to Stop Human Trafficking, please contact endingviolence@soroptimistraleigh.org.
Download this press release (pdf format).
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2010 Triangle Women of Distinction Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Raleigh, NC (April 14, 2010) - 2010 The Soroptimist’s Annual Triangle Women of Distinction Awards Celebration honored Triangle women living their dreams. Dr. Maureen Hartford, Meredith College President, was the keynote speaker and Sonya Williams, Tarheel Talk Hostess and Producer, served as mistress of ceremonies.
More than 90 people attended the event, which included a silent auction fund-raiser. Approximately $6,670 was raised through a raffle and generous silent auction donations. Among the sponsors were Bailey’s Fine Jewelry and Merrill Lynch, Cary NC. The funds raised will be used to support the service projects of Soroptimist International of Raleigh, NC.
Soroptimist honored Dr. Lisa Tolnitch as this year’s recipient of the Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women. Dr. Tolnitch has focused exclusively on the treatment of breast disease since 1991. Her vision of bringing the most effective and least invasive treatments of breast cancer to the Triangle has helped thousands of women throughout North Carolina. As an organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, Soroptimist was proud to present this prestigious award to Dr. Tolnitch. A $500 donation was made to the Pretty In Pink Foundation, founded by Dr. Tolnitch to ensure that quality, life saving medical treatment, regardless of the ability to pay, is available to breast cancer patients who need it most.
Recognition was also given to the recipients of two additional awards, the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award and the Soroptimist Violet Richardson Award. The Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award, which provides financial aid to a female head-of-household seeking to improve her life through education, was awarded to Kerry Ford and Laura Parker Romero. Ms. Ford, as first place recipient, received a cash award of $1500 and a $500 educational assistance grant. Ms. Romero, as runner up, received a $500 cash award. Both recipients are studying to become nurses.
The Soroptimist Violet Richardson Award, which recognizes a teen for her volunteer efforts, was given to Catherina Gomes. Ms. Gomes, a senior at Cardinal Gibbons High School, is involved with numerous organizations as a volunteer. She received a $500 cash award and a $250 donation was made to her charity of choice, the Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen.
Soroptimist International of Raleigh, NC would like to recognize Capstrat for sponsoring the Soroptimist Ruby Award and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater Raleigh for providing the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award educational assistance grant.
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Join Us on the Bridge!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Raleigh, NC (February 26, 2010) - On Sunday, March 7, 2010, from 3-4 pm, a number of groups and individuals from the Triangle area will join together to cross the pedestrian bridge behind the Legislative Building, located at 16 West Jones Street. This event is taking place to celebrate the 99th anniversary of International Women’s Day, observed on March 8. Participants will carry peace flags in solidarity with similar events across the globe, inspired by Women for Women International’s “Join me on the Bridge” campaign.
This local event, organized by Soroptimist International of Raleigh, NC, will be an opportunity for individuals and organizations to demonstrate support towards ending violence against women and will symbolize the building of bridges for peace and development for women in war torn countries around the world. Bridge gatherings will take place all across the UK, the US, and numerous countries across Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Soroptimist is an international volunteer organization for business and professional women. The name, Soroptimist, means "Best for Women". The mission of Soroptimist is to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world. Women for Women, a grassroots organization, works to provide training, direct aid and emotional support to women survivors of war.
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Soroptimist International of Raleigh on Tarheel Talk,
Fox 50
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Raleigh, NC (March 1, 2009) - Soroptimist International of Raleigh will be featured on local talkshow, Tarheel Talk, Fox 50 on March 8, 2009 at 6:30am. Host, Sonya Williams, interviews 2007 Women's Opportunity Award winner, Lily Soliman, and discusses the with members how Soroptimist is helping women and girls in our local community and throughout the world. Tune in to find out you can get involved with Soroptimist.
Contact: Pamela Sinclair
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Soroptimist's STOP Human Trafficking Community Forum on Raleigh Television Network (RTN)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Raleigh, NC (March 1, 2009) - The Raleigh Television Network is broadcasting two of the panel discussions from the January 12th forum on Channel 10 during the months of February and March. Panel 1, Solidifying Definition of Human Trafficking will be shown on Wednesdays at 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm and Sundays at 1:30 pm until 2:30 pm. Panel 2, The Role of Law Enforcement, will be shown on Wednesdays at 4:00 pm until 5:00 pm and Sundays at 11:00 pm until 12:00 pm.
Contact: Patricia Witt
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Soroptimist International of Raleigh Hosts STOP Human Trafficking Community Forum
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Raleigh, NC (December 18, 2009) - Soroptimist International of Raleigh will hold a community forum on Human Trafficking on Monday, January 12, 2009 from 9:30am – 4:00pm at 4011 Carya Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610, Commons Building, Room 100A and B. Registration Required. Free of charge. Box lunch included. Announcement and Agenda can be found in the attached press release.
Event Date: January 12, 2009
Contact: Patricia Witt
Download this press release (pdf format).
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Live Your Dream Awards Ceremony, Celebration of International Women's Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Raleigh, NC (March 11, 2008) - Soroptimist International of Raleigh will hold their annual awards event on March 11th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Hillyer Memorial Christian Church, 718 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 in honor of International Women’s Day and U.S. Women’s History Month. The Soroptimist Live Your Dream campaign is a worldwide initiative aimed at creating awareness about the challenges women face and what can be done to help them live their dream. During this event, two awards are presented in honor of service to the community and one is to support a woman who is the head of her household and is working to improve her education and skills.
The Making a Difference for Women Award recognizes women who through their professional or personal lives work to improve the conditions of women and girls in their community. Dr. Lenora Ucko, founder of StoriesWork, will be awarded the 2007 Making A Difference for Women Award for her contributions toward advocacy of domestic violence awareness and prevention.
The Violet Richardson Award honors young women between the ages of 14 and 17 for volunteer action such as fighting drugs, crime and violence, cleaning up the environment and working to end discrimination and poverty.
The Women’s Opportunity Award is Soroptimist International of the Americas’ major service project. This program provides women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families with the financial resources to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education or additional skills and training. The award can be used for tuition, books, childcare, carfare or any other education-related expense.
Women Ending Violence, Distinguished Guest Speaker, Marie Brodie, has 17 years of experience in the battered women’s movement. She has worked as a crisis counselor, support group facilitator, hospital responder, youth educator, community educator, trainer, and media relations coordinator. Ms. Brodie moved to North Carolina in 1990 and worked for 9 years at Interact, Wake County’s rape and domestic violence crisis center and then joined the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 2000 where she started a statewide training institute for the Coalition and began North Carolina’s first ever collection of information on domestic violence homicides. Marie is originally from Aiken, South Carolina and she currently resides in Durham, NC where she started her own business as a domestic violence trainer and consultant called Walk in My Shoes.
Event Date: March11, 2008
Contact: Christin Marten
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20 Years in the Triangle! 20th Anniversary Celebration of Soroptimist International of Raleigh, NC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Raleigh, NC (November 12, 2007) - Soroptimist International of Raleigh will hold its 20th Anniversary Celebration on November 13, 2007 at Caffé Luna, located in Downtown Raleigh. The theme of this anniversary celebration will be “Living the Dream, Continuing to Soar.” During the anniversary celebration, Soroptimist of Raleigh will reflect on all the organization’s successful community impact. As Soroptimist International of Raleigh has had a significant impact on the community, the organization will take a look retrospectively at its beginnings, remembering the past, recognizing its achievement, and focusing on the future. Several distinguished state and local government offices will be represented at the celebration, including the offices of State Senator Doyle, Governor Easley, Mayor Meeker, and Secretary of State Marshall. In addition, November 21 has been proclaimed Soroptimist International of Raleigh Day.
Soroptimist means "the best for women". Soroptimist International is the largest professional women's service club in the world committed to enhancing the lives of women and girls!
Charted November 21,1987, Soroptimist International of Raleigh, NC is a local club of Soroptimist International of America, an international volunteer service organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Raleigh members join with almost 95,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories to contribute time and financial support to community-based projects benefiting women. The Raleigh club helps women seeking employment and who are referred by a partner agency by providing business-appropriate clothing at no cost through the Professional Clothing Closet. Locally the organization also supports several initiatives for prevention of domestic violence.
Soroptimist members are professional women with business, management or executive skills who have a heart for service. To accomplish goals each member takes an active role in fundraising and hands-on service projects, all as volunteers. For more information about how Soroptimist International of Raleigh improves the lives of women and girls, visit our website at or contact club president Pat Lynch at (919) 846-1321.
Event Date: November 13, 2007
Contact: Michelle Prescott
Tel: (919) 270-3517
Download this press release (pdf format).
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