April 25, 2014 12.29 pm This story is over 119 months old

Global women’s friendship group relaunches in Lincoln

Inspiring women: A group dedicated to helping women from all nationalities grow their businesses and learn about diverse cultures is to be relaunched in Lincoln.
(L-R) Daphne Sullivan, Santa Maria McArdle, Wing Sze Liu, Ishu Sen, Pam Weetman are re-lunching the international women's friendship group.

A group dedicated to helping women from all nationalities grow their businesses and learn about diverse cultures will relaunch in Lincoln.

The Lincoln International Women’s Friendship Group aims to bring women from overseas together with local members to improve integration.

It will be re-launched with a free introduction event at Lincoln Drill Hall on Tuesday, April 29, between 6pm and 10pm.

The group will promote business ventures and seek to inspire members through the stories of success that exist in the city’s growing international culture.

The relaunch event, Inspiring Women to Inspire Change, will include traditional dance performances, international speakers, craft demonstrations and food tasting, beauty consultation and information on Lincoln attractions.

There will also be raffle tickets, activities and a donation box to raise money to help fund the group and for its future functions.

The Lincoln International Women’s Friendship Group was founded in the 1993.

The initial idea came from a meeting of four professional women who were working alongside the children and families – Julie Harrison, Shanta Basu, Valerie Pacey and Lily Amery – who went on to lead the group for over 20 years.

It rapidly became apparent that there were many women, especially mothers, who were in need of a network of contacts and friends.

As the group developed, large numbers of women – young and old, from a broad range of nationalities and cultures and with a vast array of languages – have shared skills and experiences within the monthly meetings.

Now a new group of women – Daphne Sullivan, Santa Maria McArdle, Wing Sze Liu, Ishu Sen and Pam Weetman – is determined to drive the movement forward and have organised the event.

Santa Marie McArdle said: “Lincoln in 2014 is truly an international city with a diverse and exciting cultural mix which brings many positives to the people and businesses that make up the community.

“We want to enhance the integration, learn from each other and celebrate those positives.”