Northwestern Region

Soroptimist International of Ashland Hosts
Romanian Grant of Friendship Visitors!

submitted by Kathy Mooney, SI Ashland

Soroptimist International of Ashland played host to Soroptimists Carmen Dumitriu and Ruxandra Scarlat from Romania. The women traveled to the U.S. on a two-week Soroptimist sponsored Grant of Friendship visit. They have visited clubs in Camas/Washougal (WA), Salem, Coos Bay, Brookings, and arrived in Ashland on Tuesday, 9/27/2005.

Dumitriu, 54, has a degree in mechanical engineering. Scarlat, 27, speaks four languages and has a background in art and politics. Soroptimism is still in its infancy in Romania, a small ex-Communist country. The purpose of the Grant of Friendship Program is to enable members to learn about other cultures, lifestyles, and develop personal contacts and lifelong friendships.

A reception for Dumitriu and Scarlat was held September 27, 2005 at 6:00 P.M. at the Paschal Winery and Soroptimist members from Medford, Grants Pass, Central Point and Jacksonville clubs were invited to attend.

Because the women have a particular interest in domestic violence, Anna DiMato from Community Works spoke on The Psychology of Domestic Violence at the regular SI Ashland meeting at noon on Wednesday, September 28, 2005.

(Soroptimist – meaning “best for women,” is an international volunteer service organization for business and professional women whose mission is to improve the lives of women and girls locally and globally.)

For more information about Soroptimist in the Northwestern Region, click here.