Geneva, 1 October 2017 –Renata Trottmann Probst has succeeded Maria Elisabetta de Franciscis as President of the Soroptimist International of Europe. She will lead the European Federation for two years under the motto, “We Stand Up for Women.”
“In the face of growing pressure on our lifestyle and challenges to our values, I have chosen to focus on protecting and advancing women’s rights in my biennium,” says Swiss Soroptimist Renata. “Trafficking, FGM, domestic violence, stalking, child and forced marriage are all very real threats which need to be addressed.” She hopes to inspire Unions and Clubs to defend women against all violations, not only violations in the physical sense, but also the violations of basic human rights for women, such as the right to education, the right to equal pay and the right to equal access to justice.
Renata Trottmann Probst gained Masters degrees in Law from the University of Bern in Switzerland and McGill University in Montreal, Canada, after which she attended a Senior Executive Programme at Columbia University in New York. She served in the voluntary Swiss military from 1976-1999 and was the first woman in the army to become a member of the Military Justice in 1993. From 1983-2005 she worked at various banks in managerial positions. In 2008 she founded her own real estate and legal consulting company.
Joining the women’s organisation in 1995, Renata held several positions in SI Club Zug until she was elected to the Constitution and By-Laws Committee of SI Switzerland in 2002. She became a member of the SIE Constitution and By-Laws Committee in 2011 and went on to act as Chair from 2013-2015.
In her video address to the membership posted on the SIE website today, SIE President Renata says, “I am passionate about women’s rights and hope to motivate Soroptimists in our Federation to be a powerful force for these causes.”
SIE President Renata convened the first Boarding Meeting of her biennium in Leuven, Belgium, from 28 September – 1 October 2017 to discuss plans and strategies for 2017-2019. Please see the attached list of all Board Members and appointees.
The 2018 Governors’ Meeting will take place in Lucerne, Switzerland from 25-27 May. SIE Renata invites non-office-holding Soroptimists to attend the weekend event as silent observers to gain a better understanding of the Federation’s work. A special programme with guest speakers will be offered on Friday afternoon in English, French and German. Details will be announced at a later date.
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