Shine A Light: 65 years of Soroptimist International Wexford

This week on Shine A Light, the spotlight fell on Soroptimist International Wexford, as the organisation marks 65 years of supporting women and girls, challenging inequality and making a difference across County Wexford.

Founded locally in 1961, the Soroptimists have been involved in everything from education and public speaking to fundraising, community projects and campaigns tackling violence against women and girls.

One of the organisation’s strongest ongoing partnerships is with Wexford Women’s Refuge and Wexford Rape Crisis through the international Orange the World campaign.

Speaking on the programme, Wexford Women’s Refuge Director of Services Catherine McCurdy revealed the continuing scale of demand locally.

During 2025, the refuge helpline received 1,184 calls, while 103 women and 99 children were accommodated. A further 193 women were supported through outreach services, more than 172 received court accompaniment and 1,299 referrals were made to other agencies.

The programme also looks back at the remarkable women who helped shape the organisation and the wider Wexford community.

Local historian Monica Crofton tells the story of pioneering doctor Dr Honora Aughney who played a central role in establishing Soroptimist International Wexford.

At a time when Wexford was battling serious public health problems, Dr Aughney campaigned for vaccination, pasteurised milk, improved hygiene and better healthcare.

Her legacy went far beyond medicine. She was instrumental in establishing what became Our Lady of Fatima School for children with additional educational needs and also helped lay the foundations for what is now St Brigid’s Social Service for older people.

Monica believes Dr Aughneys contribution to Wexford deserves greater recognition and has even suggested she could be commemorated with a blue plaque.

That historical connection comes full circle this year, with Our Lady of Fatima Special School chosen as one of the charities being supported during the Soroptimists’ 65th anniversary.

Principal Glenda McGowan says more than half of the school’s pupils are autistic and many have additional needs, while almost 60 per cent experience sensory issues. Fundraising could help provide additional equipment, sensory resources and potentially extra therapy for pupils.

And one Soroptimist member is taking that fundraising effort to another level.

To mark both her own 65th birthday and the organisation’s 65th anniversary Sue is preparing to cycle around 1,000 kilometres between Wexford and Dublin over seven days.

She hopes to raise €10,000 with the proceeds divided between Our Lady of Fatima Special School and a Down Syndrome centre in Dublin.

Sue says a serious illness several years ago changed her perspective on life and encouraged her to pursue her passion for cycling.

Donations can be made through iDonate by searching for the Wexford Dublin Cycle Relay Challenge.

From campaigning for women experiencing domestic violence, to supporting young people and preserving the legacy of pioneering Wexford women, this week’s Shine A Light explores who the Soroptimists are, what they do — and why their work still matters 65 years on.

Shine A Light with Siobhan Murphy airs Wednesdays from 8pm on South East Radio and is available afterwards as a podcast.

Funded by the News Reporting Scheme