SOROPTIMISTS in Great Britain and Ireland, along with Soroptimists across the world look forward to celebrating the organisation’s Centenary in 2021.

Over 75,000 volunteers working in122 countries seek to transform the lives of women and girls, whilst ensuring the voices of women and girls around the world are heard in international decision making through General Consultative Status at the United Nations.

Founded in Oakland, California in 1921, Federations around the world will highlight and honour individual members with celebrations within their own country.

In Great Britain there will be a lunch at the House of Lords and particular centenary projects include Tree Planting, competitions for schools and initiatives to combat modern slavery

Elizabeth Hughes MBE of Silsden and a member of SI Ilkley is one of only 100 women being honoured worldwide for their contribution to Soroptimist International.

Elizabeth, formerly Head at Bolling Road School, Ilkley, has devoted much of her spare time to both local and international causes, especially in the field of peace and alleviating poverty.

Elizabeth was one of the first to organise and take aid to Bosnian refugees; she worked with street children in India and was an international coordinator focusing on taking girls out of prostitution in Thailand.

Presently Elizabeth is still involved with Ilkley Talking Newspaper, having been a founding member and past chair, and presently works with the anti-slavery group within Yorkshire.

Elizabeth is a past Regional President, Honorary member and will now be part of a new group, whose entries are boosting the profile of women on Wikipedia. The President Ilkley Soroptimists Jo Thornley was proud to present Elizabeth with her Centenary Certificate on behalf of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland.