On Sunday, December 7, Soroptimist International of Manhattan held its annual Holiday Luncheon in a jointly sponsored event with Soroptimist International of New York City. The two clubs came together for the first time at a Holiday Luncheon, giving members and guests of both clubs an opportunity to celebrate with old friends and meet new members from each club.
The venue for this event was the historic Fraunces Tavern in
Manhattan, where George Washington famously bade farewell to this troops at the
end of the Revolutionary War.
More than 30 Soroptimist members and their guests enjoyed
the festive atmosphere and a Revolutionary War period inspired menu including
New England clam chowder and slow roasted chicken pot pie. They heard guest speakers
from the two clubs’ community service initiatives, and raised money for both
clubs with raffle fundraisers and door prizes.
Community Service Initiatives and Speakers
Members of SI Manhattan and other attendees donated baby
clothes and “Handbags of Hope” for women served by Hour Children, a leading
provider of services to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their
families in New York State, headquartered in Astoria, Queens. Members of SI New York City and other
attendees contributed women’s winter items, such as new winter hats, scarves,
gloves, and socks for Susan’s Place, a shelter for medically fragile homeless
women in the Bronx operated by Care for the Homeless, which provides health
care, shelter and policy advocacy to end homelessness in New York City.
Cynthia Brackett, Chief Impact and Program Officer for Hour
Children and Olivia Crocetto, Service Coordinator, For Women, By Women, Period,
gave brief remarks discussing the work of their organizations. For Women, By Women, Period is an
organization founded in 2021 by students at St. John’s University in Queens who
realized that many were unable to afford period supplies. Their mission is to provide access to these
products to those affected by period poverty, and pursue advocacy and education
among diverse cultures to end the barriers, misconceptions, and stigma about
menstruation.
Some images from this successful event—
Soroptimists and guests settle in and prepare for the
SIM/SINYC Holiday Luncheon 2025.
Baby clothes and “Handbags of Hope” filled with basic items such
as hand lotion, sanitizer, tissues, and lip balm, collected for Hour Children.
Special guest, Soroptimist North Atlantic Region Governor Elizabeth Peterson (center left), with SI Manhattan President, Charlynn Willis (center right), addresses the group.
Olivia Crocetto, Service Coordinator at For Women, By Women,
Period, describes the work of her organization.
.jpg)