By Julianne Homokay – Special to The Alpine Mountaineer

The Soroptimists’ aim is clear: “Our mission is to support the needs of women and our community through advocacy, action and awareness, with a primary focus on issues concerning women and girls.”

On Sunday, June 4, at their Making a Difference for Women awards luncheon at the Lake Arrowhead Country Club, the members of Soroptimist International Rim of the World (SIROW) furthered this mission by presenting three awards to deserving recipients: the Live Your Dream Award, the Violet Richardson Award and the Ruby Award.

After a pre-ceremony welcome by President Virgie Witte and a light, summer lunch, Vice President and emcee Jeannie Venturini began the awards program with thank-yous to the many members who helped to put together the day’s ceremony.

Venturini then introduced Live Your Dream Award committee chair Linda Tyer to present this $1,500 honor, “an education and training award which assists women who provide the primary financial support for their familes,” and gives these women “the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects,” as stated in the luncheon’s program.

Live Your Dream winner Cherie Fowler and committee chair Linda Tyer.

“Soroptimists, you have truly made a difference in this young mother’s life,” said Tyer, as she presented the award to Cherie Fowler.

“During my teen years, life was not simple,” Fowler said as she accepted the award. She since has completed an A.A. in science and is on track to graduate from college as a radiology technician.  Fowler profusely thanked her mother, Teresa, for all of her support. Fowler said that it was her mother’s struggle to overcome breast cancer that inspired her to pursue a medical field. She promised her mother that she would graduate from college.  With the award, she said, “I can make my promise to my mother come true.”

Violet Richardson winner Jessica Stufkosky and chair Janet Bauer.

Next, committee chair Janet Bauer presented the Violet Richardson Award, a “recognition program for young women ages 14 to 17 engaged in volunteer activities within their community.” This year, Rim High student Jessica Stufkosky received the $500 cash award plus an additional $250 toward the charity of her choice.

In her acceptance speech, Stufkosky praised the many women who have set examples for her. “I want to be that way when I grow up… I want to make a difference in people’s lives.” Stufkosky was quoted in the program as saying, “I know I cannot change the entire world, but I can make a change right where I’m at, and that makes a difference.” She has acted on her word here on the mountain by volunteering at local food banks and charitable agencies, helping families in need raise funds and assisting with children in many local arts programs.

Ruby chair Polly Sauer and winner Shelly Black.

Committee chair Polly Sauer presented the afternoon’s final honor: the Ruby Award, which goes to a woman of the mountain community who has gone over and above to improve the lives of women and girls. This year’s honoree was Shelly Black, who has served the Rim High School cheer team as a parent helper, junior varsity coach and/or varsity coach since 2012.  Many students and former students contributed quotes to Sauer’s introduction, commending Black for inspiring them, listening to them and always responding to their needs, even if outside of cheer.

Members of Shelley Black’s family join her at the podium.

“She has constantly pushed me to be my best self,” read one student quote. “She has made a huge impact on my life,” read another.

Black, who was extremely modest and overwhelmed with gratitude at receiving the Ruby Award, said “I only wish I could have as great of an impact on these students’ lives as they have on mine.”

In an impromptu moment, Black reiterated one of the many obstacles Cherie Fowler, the Live Your Dream winner, referenced in her acceptance speech. During the recent blizzard, Fowler sustained damage to her car that made transportation almost impossible. Her car was still in need of repairs, including a cracked windshield. Black offered to supply Fowler with a new windshield courtesy of her family business to great applause.

Joanne Sanford accepts a special honor on her mother’s behalf from charter member Andrea Hilton.

SIROW added a bonus segment to the program this year. Andrea Hilton, the last charter member of SIROW, came to the podium to give tribute to the 1988 Ruby Award winner, Marie Seybold. Hilton cited Seybold’s many accomplishments and described her as an example of a community member who never stopped giving. She presented a special honor to Seybold’s daughter, Joanne Sanford.

Witte closed the program as she led the audience in the Soroptimist International Pledge, which lauds the sincerity of friendship, the joy of achievement, the dignity of service and the love of country.

Soroptimists International is a 100-year-old “global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment” (soroptimist.org).

Elaine Tipton, who presented the Violet Richardson Award in 2022, described the continuing need for an organization with this mission. “I was born in the 1950s. Growing up in a male-dominated society…when men were expected to make all the decisions…college was an aha! moment for me. As a female, your ideas were just as important!” She wanted her own daughters “to feel they could do anything. They could be anything.” She didn’t want her son to feel constricted by traditional gender roles, either.

Award winners (from left to right): Jessica Stufkosky, Cherie Fowler and Shelly Black.

Nancy Mellinger, a 38-year member, added that internationally, the Soroptimists address a host of issues that still affect women today, including sex trafficking and domestic abuse. With help, “someone who is downtrodden, who doesn’t see the light through the trees, can pick themselves up.” The Soroptimists believe that the best way to do that, as Witte mentioned in her greeting, is via education.

“Education is the way for a woman or girl to better their life, to have a future, to be strong and independent and stand on their own two feet.”

To donate, visit sirow.org to purchase a Discount Dining and Shopping Card or participate in the 2023 Daffodil Bulbs Fundraiser. “All funds from purchases go to community programs. The money stays on the mountain.”