MEMBERS of the Redditch and Bromsgrove branch met at the Perry Hall Hotel for the September meeting following the summer break.

Guest speaker was Miss Valerie Evans CBE, who has been a very active Soroptimist since 1977.

Her career in education and Soroptimism have worked very closely together.

Valerie has a background in science education and was appointed to Her Majesty's Inspectorate in 1967.

In 1977, she became the regional staff inspector for the East and West Midlands and retired in 1990.

She was awarded the CBE for services in education in 1991.

She is now a writer and lecturer and activist on human rights, particularly those of women.

She is also involved in a wide range of voluntary work.

Valerie was elected chair of the UK Women's National Commission from 1997-99.

Valerie is an active member of Soroptimist International and was its regional link with the ECE Regional Commission of the UN.

She also chairs the UK Gender Statistics Users Group and still works with the Women's National Commission on their International working group.

Valerie's enthusiasm for the work she does and her concern for the plight of women of various ethnic and cultural groups was inspiring.

Soroptimists are one of the groups of NGO members of the UN who have consultative status on the UN and so are able to support measures for the protection and empowerment of women worldwide.

During the summer, president Judith Green had entertained small groups of members at her home.

One special party held at past president Gail Teague's house in July was to celebrate founder members Chris Spencer and Norah Byng being elected as honorary members of the club.

They were joined by Ada Hampton, also a founder and honorary member, and other club members who spent an enjoyable afternoon together.