History

“Soroptimist” is derived from two Latin words, “soror” meaning sister and “optima” meaning best It stands for “women at their best helping others to be their best”. Soroptimist International is a worldwide organisation for women in management and the professions with about 90,000 members in over 3,000 clubs in in 123 countries. It is a global voice for women working through Awareness, Advocacy and Action.

In August 1993,a Forum was convened as part of the Programme of the Convention held at the Burau Bay Resort in Langkawi, organised by Soroptimist International of Kuala Lumpur, to establish the Region Status for SI Clubs in Malaysia. The idea of a Soroptimist Region of Malaysia was mooted and subsequently necessary arrangements made and submitted to the Registrar of Societies, Malaysia.

Yang Bahagia Puan Sri Fatimah Hamidon became the first President of SI Region of Malaysia. Joanne V. Fernandez and Dr. Katherine Tan of SI Bangsar, became the first two Federation Councillors to represent SIROM at the Federation Council Meetings held in Australia and New Zealand. Malaysia then had the first Federation President to be elected from outside the main member countries of Australia and New Zealand. Having also held other Federation Positions, Joanne Fernandez was elected to become the Federation President of SISWP for the Biennium of 2000 to 2002.

Since then, members of SI Petaling Jaya, Puan Sri Siew Yong Ganalingam, has served as the Federation President of SISWP for the Biennium of 2012-2014 and Dato’ Anusha Santhirasthipam will serve as Federation President-Elect of SISWP for the Biennium 2016-2018.

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES TO SISWP BOARD

1998 – 2000 Dr. Indrani Manuel

2000 – 2002 Nina Wong

2002 – 2004 Faridah Yasin

2004 – 2005 Lucy Loh

2005 – 2008 Helena Cheah

2008 – 2010 Puan Sri Siew Yong Gnanalingam

2010 – 2012 Dhamayanthi Vaithinathan

2012 – 2014 Datin Indira Naidu

2014-2016 Joanne Yeoh

2016-2018 Nora Lam

CLUBS CHARTERED IN MALAYSIA

1991 SI KUALA LUMPUR

1992 SI BANGSAR

1993 SI DAMANSARA

1994 SI KUANTAN
SI PETALING JAYA

1995 SI SHAH ALAM

1996 SI AMPANG
SI PENANG

2000 SI JOHOR BAHRU

2007 SI SEREMBAN

2009 SI IPOH
SI SENTUL

2012 SI KOTA KINABALU, SABAH
SI KUCHING, SARAWAK