Fredrikstad Soroptimist Club celebrated its 70th anniversary on September 20, 2024, on the founding date.
The anniversary party was held in the Fredrikstad Business Association’s banquet hall. And what a party it was! Beautiful premises, fantastic food, outstanding entertainment from our own singer Hege Holmquist and the evening’s pianist Jan Henrik Lund, a historical quiz that brought both laughter and wonder, and not least, 32 festive ladies.
Inger Elisabeth Silberg was the master of ceremonies, guiding us smoothly and effortlessly through all the songs and speeches, and Ellen Grøndahl and Tove Thøgersen organized the quiz where we had to guess what old objects had been used for. Union President Karin Dahlberg Pettersen, who herself is from Bardudalen, challenged us at the end of her speech to find words and expressions in the Fredrikstad dialect, and in between, cheerful conversations flowed around the tables.
The founders were sixteen working women who, in the early years of the club’s history, met at each other’s homes. Four of them were still present when we celebrated the club’s 50th anniversary in 2004!
Brit Ulfeng is the member with the longest tenure in our club now; she joined in 1974 and has thus been a member for 50 years.
When the club was 25 years old, in 1979, they created a president’s chain, which the jewelry artist Anna-Greta Eker and her husband, goldsmith Erling Kristoffersen, designed. Anna-Greta Eker is one of the twelve artists we have selected for a calendar we are currently working on. We are making a calendar for 2024 featuring Trailblazing Women from Fredrikstad, and for 2025, it will be Artists in Fredrikstad. In addition to the calendar project, a group of dedicated women in the club has been running a language café for Ukrainian women for nearly three years. We have also collaborated with Borgeklubben for six years on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the Orange Days! Over the weekend of September 6-8, many of our members volunteered as café hostesses at the Knitting Festival in Old Town Fredrikstad.
Fredrikstad Soroptimist Club held the union board from 1983 to 1985, was the editorial team for the membership magazine Soroptima from 2009 to 2012, and held the union board again from 2017 to 2019. Many talented women have been involved in management and organization throughout these years. It is wonderful to be part of a community of such skilled and enterprising ladies – who often say, ”Yes, I can do that” (or even “Yes, I have done that”).
SI Fredrikstad is affiliated with the organization Soroptimist International (SI), which is a worldwide network of professional women. Through projects, Soroptimists work to promote human rights and improve the living conditions of women and children.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Soroptimist Club Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone! Today, we have a special guest, Inger Elisabeth Silberg, an esteemed member of the Fredrikstad Soroptimist Club. She recently hosted the club’s 70th anniversary celebration, which sounds like a remarkable event! Inger, thank you for joining us.
Inger Elisabeth Silberg: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here and share the spirit of our wonderful celebration.
Editor: Your event sounded absolutely delightful! Can you give us a little insight into what the atmosphere was like during the celebration?
Inger: It was fantastic! The banquet hall was beautifully set up and filled with laughter and joy. Having 32 passionate and festive ladies there added to the warmth of the occasion. The entertainment by our own Hege Holmquist and pianist Jan Henrik Lund really lifted the spirits. We also had a historical quiz, which brought both laughter and a fun challenge to the evening.
Editor: I imagine that the quiz must have sparked some interesting conversations! What kind of questions did you include?
Inger: Yes! We focused on old objects and their uses, which often led to surprising revelations and nostalgic memories from our members. It was wonderful to see everyone competing in good humor, reminiscing and sharing stories about the past.
Editor: That sounds like a great way to engage with both the history of the club and each other. Speaking of history, can you tell us about the founding of the Fredrikstad Soroptimist Club?
Inger: Certainly! The club was founded 70 years ago by a group of 16 working women who wanted to support one another and improve the lives of women and girls in their community. In fact, four of those founding members joined us to celebrate our 50th anniversary back in 2004. It’s heartwarming to see how our legacy continues.
Editor: That’s a significant testament to the club’s continuity! Now, tell us about the longest-serving member in your club—Brit Ulfeng—and her journey over the last 50 years.
Inger: Ah, Brit is an incredible woman and an inspiration to all of us. She joined the club in 1974 and has truly embodied the Soroptimist spirit. Over the years, she has contributed immensely to our projects and has witnessed so many changes within both the club and society itself. Her dedication is a pillar of our community.
Editor: It really speaks volumes about dedication and community service across generations. I have to ask, during the event, what was the highlight for you personally?
Inger: Oh, that’s a tough one! If I had to choose, it would be the heartfelt speeches and the delightful camaraderie that filled the room. Listening to the stories and experiences shared made me realize how much we’ve grown and how important our bonds are, not just as a club but as friends.
Editor: That’s beautiful, Inger. Lastly, how do you see the Fredrikstad Soroptimist Club shaping its future, especially with respect to the evolving challenges women face today?
Inger: That’s a vital question. I believe that as a club, we need to remain adaptable and responsive. Our mission to empower women and girls has never been more relevant. We will continue to focus on education and advocacy for women’s rights, and we are excited to explore new initiatives and collaborations. Sustainable growth and increased inclusiveness will be our guiding principles.
Editor: Thank you, Inger. It’s clear that the Fredrikstad Soroptimist Club has a rich history and a vibrant future ahead. Here’s to another 70 years of making an impact!
Inger: Thank you! We’re excited about what’s to come.