They are the Soroptimists, a sisterhood of women who have united to do good causes. The word is from "soror" meaning sister, and "optime" meaning the best, and the group started in the early 1920s in Oakland, California. There are hundreds of branches all over the world.
The Penang Chapter recently rebanded after a few years of inactivity, but has now come back, small but strong, and is now under the leadership of current president Dr Datin Shuba. They have been organising various charity events to raise funds for several deserving charities in Penang.
HOWEVER last Saturday was a night for themselves, the sisterhood who work hard and without profit for themselves (except fun that night!), and I was lucky enough to be asked to join them for their annual do at a private function at Traders Hotel's The Brasserie in town.
It was a great night, and the hotel did us proud: the theme being FLOWER POWER, they went to town decking the place out in colourful, bright and beautiful flowers! Everyone got in the spirit of things as well, wearing flowers in their hair - it was like going to San Francisco! The food was excellent, and the wine really did flow quite freely.
Congrats to Melvin, who won a prize for being the man who took the most trouble - he came as a beatnik, down to the leather sandals and flowery trousers - and to the two women who got the ladies' equivalent.
Highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the BAND who did a terrific job with their cover versions of etro 60s/70s/80s music - we are, after all, ladies of that era! Everyone really enjoyed the good old bop and letting their hair down, moi included, much to my husband's horror - apart from his bad back, he typically shies away from such exhibitionism! However, after nearly 3 decades together, he's used to this crazy wife by now ... I think.
I really wish more hotels in town would offer this sort of service - somewhere a group of us can go to, with spouses, for a decent night out: have a good meal and a drink, a bip-bop-a-lula but not too expensively. It should be somewhere we can go at any time, not just for a SPECIAL night out, but for any night out. We don't really have it in Penang - it's all eat eat eat or drink drink drink only. Why can't we combine both? PLEASE MR HOTELIERS, I'M WAITING TO WRITE ABOUT IT!!
Well done everyone, and thanks. It was a terrific night. If you want to know more about this very philanthropic group, let me know.
2 comments:
looks so fun.
It WAS fun! It's a great group of sisters who have no rivalry. H
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