Gertrud Ålström and Regine van Tomme joined President Anna Wszelaczyńska’s Board on October 1st. They have respectively replaced the former EWL representative and the Communications Officer. They will hold office until 30 September 2021. We wanted to find out more about them through a few questions. Welcome on board Gertrud and Regine!
Tell us how you came across Soroptimist and what made you want to get involved at a Federation level?
Gertrud Åström:
A Soroptimist is a committed woman looking at the world with curiosity, will and an open mind. That is how I would describe the first Soroptimists I met. Since I’ve worked professionally with gender equality issues and at the same time been active in the women’s movement, I’ve met and worked together with Soroptimists for many years and in different fields. Perhaps especially intense during my time as President of the Swedish Women’s Lobby when we succeeded in creating the Nordic Forum 2014 – New Action on Women’s Rights with 30,000 visits from 50 countries. The challenges for women’s rights we then addressed have unfortunately not disappeared, in some cases the situation is worse. An internationally strong women’s movement is needed and at the European level the EWL and SIE should be the best sisters.
Regine van Tomme:
I was asked to join by two members whom I knew from Junior Chamber International, the organisation I was a member of before (and where one has to leave when turning 40…).
After being able to take up different roles in my club – up to president – I was asked to join the Belgian board as vice president. And I loved it. The team was great. We built upon the work of the team before us, with a huge focus on communication, which was my responsibility in close collaboration with the president. So, when I was asked whether I was interested to join the European level and work on communications there, I jumped.
How will your professional experience be useful in your new position?
Gertrud Åström:
Hopefully my experiences have given me some insights into factual matters and some ability to analyse and organize change of importance for improving the lives of women and girls both at local, national and international level.
Regine van Tomme:
Throughout my career I was able to build up experience in the different domains of internal and external communication as I held national and international roles in multinationals in different industries. Great companies such as Siemens, Nokia and Coca-Cola where I learned a lot. Combined with the experience and expertise from Soroptimist in Belgium, this coming year I would love to share my knowledge with Soroptimist in Europe.
What are your expectations and challenges for this year?
Gertrud Åström:
My expectation is to contribute to the SIE advocacy work, and the challenge, as incoming representative to the EWL, is to find smart and effective ways of communication and cooperation that benefit both the EWL and SIE and stand up for women.
So far, I’ve attended the postponed General Assembly of the EWL, got myself into the Strategic framework, working groups and task forces, trying to figure out how the SIE priorities should best be known and influential. In June, next year the ordinary GA will be held with elections and adopting the future strategy.
It might be hard to get to know an organization but thanks to an Onboarding Agenda I feel I’m getting up to speed and will do my best to contribute.
Regine van Tomme:
A year is short for all the ideas I have… Key for me is this: how can Soroptimist make a difference and how can we differentiate ourselves, all whilst connecting our members. I hope that together with Lora and Virginie from our HQ and with the Board, we will be able to make a little difference this coming year.
What else do you need to know about me? I take Soroptimist and communications dead serious, but always with humour and fun!