"Our focus is women," said Sharon Mann, a long-time Soroptimist, of her organization.

An international service organization of professional women, Soroptimist is composed of 95,000 members in hundreds of chapters, including Soroptimist International of South Seattle, chartered in 1958, which encompasses Burien, SeaTac, Tukwila, Des Moines, Normandy Park, West Seattle and south Seattle.

The name Soroptimist comes from the Latin phrase meaning "best for women," and the South Seattle chapter raises funds for organizations ranging from the Ruth Dykeman Children's Center in Burien to the Malawi Milk Fund.

Additionally, the group awards scholarships to local women.

Patti Gifford, president of the local chapter, has worked with the organization for four years. One of her real estate colleagues invited her to a meeting, and "I just thought it was a great organization," she said. "The members are awesome."

Most of the funds for donations and scholarships are raised at two annual events, Cards for a Cause, a casino night, and a fall luncheon and fashion show. Last year the club raised $18,000.

"One hundred percent of the funds raised go back to the community," Mann said. Over the past years, the group has consistently supported Highline Community College and Hospitality House, the area's only shelter for homeless women.

Soroptimist was instrumental in pushing for the creation of Hospitality House, and Mann said that insufficient resources for homeless women remain a problem.

"It's disgusting," she said, noting that men's shelters far outnumber shelters for women, who are often more vulnerable to the dangers of homelessness.

Mann also discussed the international impact of Soroptimist, the only charitable organization to consult with the United Nations. Local chapters send reports of their activities to the organization's leadership.

The issues addressed by these activities are then distilled into a report that informs the United Nations about status of numerous women's issues.

Locally, the group often struggles to find new members and applicants for their scholarships. "It's hard to get the word out," Gifford said.

Many women do not realize they can attend meetings without joining the club.

On the first Monday of each month, the group meets between noon and 1 p.m. to settle business matters and on the third Monday of each month, when speakers are invited to discuss issues of interest. Meetings take place at the Rainier Golf and Country Club in Burien.

Many women feel as if they cannot join unless they attend every meeting, Mann noted. On the contrary, the club values its irregular members.

"The commitment you need is whatever you can have," she concluded.

For more information on Soroptimist International, visit www.soroptimist.org.