On Thursday night we invited The Soroptimists over for dinner. They are a group of professional women (in a range of fields from Public Health to Education) who belong to the South Caicos chapter of the international women's organization by the same name. The Soroptimists' mission is to promote women's rights and gender equality and to serve as role models for other women and young girls in their respective communities. They also carry out a variety of service projects to help folks in need.
The South Caicos Soroptimists joined us for dinner and then talked to us afterwards about the history of their organization, and about some of their recent as well as most memorable service projects. Then, we told them about our plan to offer Ladies Only Swimming Lessons to the South Caicos community and asked them for their input. They were so supportive and seemed really enthisiastic about the idea. They explained that the reason most women here can't/don't swim is that girls are taught from a young age that they belong in the home. They are made to do chores like baking or cleaning or cooking, while the boys are sent out of the house to release their rambunctious energy. So, boys go swim at the dock or jump off nearby cliffs and become comfortable in the water early on, whereas girls don't have the chance to explore or to nuture their adventurous spirits in the same way. As a result, many women are fearful of the water and intimidated by the idea of plunging into something so unknown that's been essentially off limits to them for so long.
I should say that the Soroptimists were adamant that this double standard is not nearly as extreme as it was a generation or two ago, and that things are changing for the better here in terms of gender equality. It was facinating to hear their stories and perspectives and to begin to form a relationship with them. We talked about planning service projects together in the future!
The South Caicos Soroptimists joined us for dinner and then talked to us afterwards about the history of their organization, and about some of their recent as well as most memorable service projects. Then, we told them about our plan to offer Ladies Only Swimming Lessons to the South Caicos community and asked them for their input. They were so supportive and seemed really enthisiastic about the idea. They explained that the reason most women here can't/don't swim is that girls are taught from a young age that they belong in the home. They are made to do chores like baking or cleaning or cooking, while the boys are sent out of the house to release their rambunctious energy. So, boys go swim at the dock or jump off nearby cliffs and become comfortable in the water early on, whereas girls don't have the chance to explore or to nuture their adventurous spirits in the same way. As a result, many women are fearful of the water and intimidated by the idea of plunging into something so unknown that's been essentially off limits to them for so long.
I should say that the Soroptimists were adamant that this double standard is not nearly as extreme as it was a generation or two ago, and that things are changing for the better here in terms of gender equality. It was facinating to hear their stories and perspectives and to begin to form a relationship with them. We talked about planning service projects together in the future!
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DearJessica....Thank you for sharing this lovely story. I would like to engage your help as I am writing about the South Caicos Soroptimists and one of their founder members Eliza Basden. Could you please email me or send me your number at piratequeen3@hotmail.com.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Candy