June 6, 2026 Club Awards and Officers’ Installation Luncheon

_______________________________________________________________________

Community Service Award
 B.A.S.I.C.S. International (SIM)  

Angelique Wright

Angelique Wright and Linda Dianto,
 SIM Membership Chair

Angelique Wright, BASICS Representative

"Good afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to share a brief update from BASICS International. 

This year is especially meaningful for us as BASICS International celebrates 25 years of service. What began as a small volunteer effort has grown into an organization that has impacted thousands of children, youth, women, and families through education, technology, economic empowerment, and community development. 

As we celebrate this milestone, we want to recognize the individuals and organizations who have walked alongside us. Soroptimist International has been one of those valued partners, and we are deeply grateful for your years of friendship and support. 

Your annual donation of backpacks and school supplies has made a tremendous difference in the lives of children and families in Ghana. This past school year alone, thanks in part to your continued generosity, BASICS International was able to provide nearly 500 children with backpacks and school supplies as we expanded our outreach into a new community. 

Today, BASICS International’s work is focused through four core initiatives: 

Back-to-School Sponsorship & Educational Support – supporting more than 100 children and youth with educational sponsorships, mentoring, meals, and after-school programming. 

Community Digital Lab (CDL) – providing free technology training and certifications in cybersecurity, networking, artificial intelligence, coding, and digital literacy. 

Hedzole (Freedom) Social Enterprise – empowering women through skills training and income-generating opportunities. 

Aklowah Experiential Learning Campus – a new 9-acre campus being developed to provide leadership, STEAM, environmental, and life-skills education for future generations. 

As we reflect on 25 years of impact, we are also looking toward the future. We would be honored to have members of Soroptimist International join us at our 25th Anniversary Gala on November 7 in New York City, where we will celebrate the lives changed, recognize outstanding supporters, and share our vision for the next 25 years. 

Whether you attend as our guest, purchase a ticket, sponsor a table, or simply help spread the word, your presence would mean a great deal to us. 

Thank you for your friendship, your partnership, and your belief in the power of investing in children, women, and communities."

_______________________________________________________________________

Linda Dianto and Charmaine Maggio

2026-2028 Board  
Charlynn Willis, Co-President; Roberta Locko-Leo, Co-President; 
Cheryl Rivard, President Elect; Wanda Price, Former NAR Governor;
 Toni Aiello, Corresponding Secretary; Eileen Jackson, Treasurer;
 Charmaine Maggio, Director 

RIP Aurora “Rory” Nazareno Ocampo October 23, 1941 - December 18, 2025

Dear SIM Members,

It is with a heavy heart that I write to tell you of Rory Ocampo's passing.

She was a beloved SIM member since January 1, 2007.  Rory was devoted to our mission and we will miss her very much.

May she Rest in Peace.

Aurora “Rory” Nazareno Ocampo
October 23, 1941 - December 18, 2025

Aurora Nazareno Ocampo peacefully entered eternal life on December 18, 2025. She was born in Indang, Cavite, Philippines on October 23, 1941 to Tomas and Rosela Nazareno. Rory had three sisters, Celia, Fe and Luz and three brothers, Marino, Nardo and Ruben and she was godmother to 16 nieces and nephews.

She was a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve and the widow of Manuel Set Ocampo, United States Navy. Rory was a gratified sister of a U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force veterans and proud aunt of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine veterans.

Rory was a multi-award Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at the Department of Health, City of New York. Later on, she was a supervisor in the Nursing and Quality/Utilization Management at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Brooklyn Campus.

A consistent honor student in high school, she was Miss Centro Escolar University and was honored to walk with Miss Philippines and Miss United Nations to lead the parade of nations at the school’s United Nations Day celebration in October 1956. She was president of the Senior Class, the Folk Dance Group and the Student Council in 1957-1958 and was the graduation Speaker of Centro Escolar University on March 25, 1988.

A graduate of the University the Philippines School of Nursing, Rory obtained her Master’s Degree in New York University and her Ph.D. at the Southeast Asia Interdisciplinary Developmental Institute.

She was membership chair for the Staten Island North Star for the last ten years and a 2006 Staten Island Advance Woman of Achievement. For 26 years she served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary of the Assumption Church and  volunteered at the Richmond County Fair for 30 years. Rory was given the Raymond Fingado award for Administration by the Staten Island Richmond Town Historical Society.

A Membership Advocate for the American Public Health Association, she was listed in the Biographical Roll of Honor, Historical Preservation of America, 1985 and in the World’s Who’s Who of Women, 1985.

Rory was president of non-profit organizations namely the Philippine-American Civic and Cultural Community of Staten Island, Inc. 1985-1987 and 2017-2019; University of the Philippines Alumni Association New York Chapter 2009-2011; University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association of New York/New Jersey 2001-2003; first woman president of the United Asian Lions Club 1992-1993; 1998-1999. She was District Governor of Lions Club International District 20R2, 2007-2008.

Her legacy is entertaining residents of nursing homes through music and dance which she originated in 1988 and continues to the present.

Aurora “Rory” Nazareno Ocampo is survived by her brother Nardo and three sisters: Celia Ledesma, Fe Martinez and Luz Bolden. She is predeceased by her brothers Marino and Rueben.

In Loving memory of a soul so kind. 

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Holiday Luncheon with SI New York City December 7, 2025

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.

 

SI of Manhattan & SI 0f New York City's December 7th Holiday Luncheon and Fundraiser

Year-End Community Service Awards and Induction of New SIM Member(s) Luncheon

 

SIM's Newsletter - 2023 Year In Review

Want to read the newsletter offline? Click here to download the PDF file.

You're invited to SIM's Annual Holiday Luncheon - RSVP by November 20th

 

Memorial Service for our beloved Fran Gilstein and Dee Carroll

Fran Gilstein                            Dee Carroll

Please join us on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at noon at the 9/11 Postcards Memorial on Staten Island at 1-99 Bank Street (Staten Island, NY 10301, Ph: 347-480-9217. 

The memorial is in walking distance of the ferry. For those traveling via the ferry, we will take the 11:30 am ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island.

Please bring one or two yellow roses to be thrown into the harbor in their memory.

Afterwards, we will have lunch at the Blue Restaurant located at 1115 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10310. Please that everyone will pay for their own meal/drinks.

Questions? Contact, President Eileen Jackson via e-mail or call/text 917-536-1722.

We hope to see on September 16th. 

SIM's dear Dee Carroll (RIP) passed away on July 20, 2023

 Dee at SIM's 2022 Holiday Luncheon

It is with a heavy heart that I write that our dear Dee Carroll passed away suddenly on July 20, 2023. We are grateful to have seen her at our 25th anniversary celebration just 12 days before her death.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Harmon Funeral Home

571 Forest Avenue

West Brighton, Staten Island, New York

Date:  Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Time:  Family Time - 1PM-2PM

           Public Viewing - 2PM-5PM

           Religious Service - 5PM-6PM

Condolence cards may be sent to Dee's son:

Mr. Robert Carroll

800 Victory Blvd., Apt. 1R

Staten Island, NY 10301

Please note that the apartment number is very important since there is another "Carroll" in their building.

Eileen Jackson

SI of Manhattan 2022-2024 President

NAR ~ District 1 ~ Live Your Dream Vice Chair

917-536-1722 (text messages welcome)

efjackson26@gmail.com

siofmanhattan.org

SIM's 25th Anniversary Club Photo - Fraunces Tavern - July 8, 2023

Seated in Foreground ~ L-R: Toni, Dee, Lucille, Rory & Sandy

Seated on Bench ~ L-R: Joan, Linda, Yvonne, Lenore, Lenora,
Charlynn, Mariam, Eileen & Roberta

SIM's Holiday Luncheon on Sunday, December 4, 2022

SI of Manhattan’s 2022 Heart-to-Heart Campaign

Click here to download and print only the tear off section.

#thankyou

 

Meet SIM's "Live your Dream 2021" Award Winner

The 2021 Live Your Dream Awardee is Jennifer.

Joy Thompson, our Live Your Dream Chair, briefly described the Live Your Dream award, a unique Soroptimist education award for women who provide the primary financial support for their families and have overcome obstacles in meeting their goals and responsibilities. The Live Your Dream awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects. Joy spoke of the competitive selection process this year.  Among other strong candidates, Jennifer impressed Joy and the judging panel with her goals for the future, with the importance she placed on setting an example for her children, and with her desire to make a difference for other women in setting a path toward leadership.

Jennifer then spoke to us about her family, her goals, and her impressive progress toward meeting those goals, even in the face obstacles during the past year. A single mother of a 12-year-old son and a seven-year-old daughter, Jennifer recounted how challenging it had been to complete her last semester of an associate degree during Spring 2020, with the pandemic suspending in-person learning for her as well as for her children. Despite the challenges, she managed to maintain a high grade-point average.  Fortunately, she had already completed her applications to four-year undergraduate programs by the time the pandemic changed their lives. Jennifer was thrilled to be accepted into the New York University’s Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies, where she is now pursuing her bachelor’s degree with a major in Business Management and Leadership. Her goal is to work hard and someday achieve a position as CFO or COO, setting a good example for her children and to other women to take their place in positions of power in organizations, with a voice at the table. She also wants them to know that although they may sometimes have to take a break in pursuing their goals, they should never give up.

"WE'LL TAKE MANHATTAN" RAFFLE on October 2, 2018

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF MANHATTAN
"WE'LL TAKE MANHATTAN" RAFFLE

Please support the community service projects of Soroptimists International of Manhattan (SIM). SIM is part of an international volunteer service organization for women whose mission is to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.

Your support of SIM's 20^th Annual "We'll Take Manhattan" Raffle will benefit our ongoing commitment to our community service projects, which include: The Dwelling Place, a shelter for homeless women; Hour Children, a resource center providing clothing and supplies for outfitting homes of formerly imprisoned women and their families; Gilda's Club NYC, where no one has to face cancer alone; Allen's Women's Resource Center; providing a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and Basics International an organization whose mission is to end child labor, trafficking, hunger and illiteracy for children living in poverty in Ghana, West Africa and other project and organizations meeting the mission of Soroptimist International.

Please print, fill-out & mail the raffle form to the address indicated on the form. All mailed entries must be postmarked by Monday, September 21, 2018. Raffles will be sold the night of the drawing. Winners need not be present.

The Raffles will be drawn on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 during our Wine & Cheese Social. Join us between 6:00 and 8:00 PM at DC 37 located at 125 Barclay Street on the corner of 12^th Avenue, NYC 10007.

Take the IRT #1, 2 or to the  Chambers Street station or the IRT #2 or 3 to the Park Place station.

Gift bag assembly for The Dwelling Place Valentine’s Day Party - January 30, 2018

SIM members came together on January 30, 2017 at Our Lady of Pompeii Senior Center, corner of Bleecker and Carmine Streets (Manhattan) in order to put together the gift bag given out each year to the ladies residing at The Dwelling Place during SIM's annual Valentine’s Day Party.

  

 

 

 

 

2017 SIM Holiday Celebration & "Hour Children" Baby Clothing Drive

ACTION ALERT: 30 Days of Affirmation + Action for DVAM

This Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), we're going #FearFree! There's already enough fear in the world to make you crawl under the covers for-ev-er. This October, we're on a mission to generate hope, bravery and a deeper sense of community. What if, instead of focusing on heartbreak, we named ways in which we can keep our hearts strong? Julia, follow us for 30 Days of Affirmation for DVAM to honor women's courage, strength and resiliency. This October, we'll join together to affirm our right, and the rights of survivors everywhere, to live #FearFree. Each day this October we’ll share ONE new affirmation of empowerment. Say it, share it, or write your own! This month, commit to activism that comes from a place of hope, not fear. STEP 1. Take the Pledge to End Domestic Violence — affirm your commitment to making a positive difference. STEP 2. Like us on Facebook if you haven't yet to follow the 30 Days of Affirmation! We're all in this together. Thank you for your dedication!  Pledge to End Domestic Violence Even if you've taken the pledge before, October is the time to renew your commitment to ending violence against women! Pledge Now>> 30 Days of Affirmation for #DVAM

Passing of SIM Member Kathleen Hanna

Note from SIM member Leonia Sagasta
July 31, 2017

"Last week attended sadly Farewell Wake of our beloved Kathleen Hanna. Eileen Kane from S.I.N.Y. started the program with her story telling of 40 years of friendship with K. The latter was also godmother to her son Asa. 6 of us showed up. Eileen cracked the ice and storytelling went all around the room.

I learned so much about K personal life. She had so many friends who adored her. She was always with open arms and a smile, no matter how she felt."

Leonia

R.I.P. querida Kathleen.

2017 Soroptimist Unsung Hero: SIM's Toni Aiello

Soroptimist of Pottstown, PA hosted the 89^th annual NAR Spring Conference, on April 28-30, 2017, at the Valley Forge Casino Resort. (Photos provided by Linda Dianto)

This year's theme was The Great Gatsby, based on the era when women were becoming a voice to be reckoned with, strong yet sassy!  A perfect match for today’s Soroptimist Women. 

The 2017 Unsung Hero was announced by GE Peggy Van Meter during the Formal Night Dinner on Saturday, April 29th. To our delight, it was none other than SIM's Toni Aiello.

Toni is standing in the front row, far right.

CONGRATULATIONS Toni!