Honoring women who make a difference

By Mary-Justine Lanyon

Three women at different stages of their lives were honored by Soroptimist International of Rim of the World at their annual Making a Difference for Women luncheon.

The Live Your Dream award helps a woman, who is providing the primary support for her family, with the needed resources to improve their education, skills and employment prospects. She receives $1,500 to help offset the costs of tuition, books, childcare or transportation.

This year’s recipient, Lindsay Sawyer, was unable to attend the luncheon due to family obligations. Soroptimist Deborah Fancett described Sawyer as “the perfect candidate. She is going to school full time and works part time. She has two daughters: Kennedy and Emery, who are 6 and 3. 

Sawyer is studying to be a respiratory therapist and will be accomplishing the practical requirements to obtain her certification in May 2025, Fancett said, “so this next year of her education will be very intense.”

The Violet Richardson award is named for the first president of a Soroptimist club. She fought for and eventually received equal pay as a physical education teacher. “It’s what you do that counts” is the message she is know for.

The award recognizes a young woman aged 14 to 17 for her volunteer activities in the community and her school. The honoree receives a $1,000 cash award and designates a charity to receive an award of $250.

This year’s Violet Richardson honoree is Evelyn Griggs, who has just graduated from Rim of the World High School. Serving as president of the Interact Club at Rim High, she led members on multiple projects that fostered change in the community. She organized a Christmas party for senior citizens; raised funds for the Love A Child Foundation, which supports an orphanage in Haiti; and facilitated a composting project at. Rim High.

In presenting the award to Griggs, Soroptimist Elaine Tipton described her as “a young woman who is highly motivated, bright, thoughtful and helpful. She demonstrates a maturity beyond her years. She listened to club members’ suggestions before proceeding. She accrued more than 400 hours of community service, one of the highest totals the Interact advisor has been aware of.”

As she thanked the Soroptimists, Griggs said she had chosen The Nature Conservancy as the charity of her choice. “I love this community,” she said. “I am so grateful to have been part of it.” She will be attending the University of Maryland, majoring in philosophy and business marketing.

Since 1981, Soroptimist International of Rim of the World has recognized more than 60 women with their Ruby award. This award honors women who are working to improve the lives of women and girls, either in their personal volunteer efforts or through their professional avenues. The recipient receives an award of $500, which is donated to the charity of her choice.

Stephanie Phillips, the Career Technical Education (CTE) coordinator at Rim of the World High School, is this year’s Ruby award honoree. 

The ruby, said Soroptimist Sue Walker, is a gemstone associated with wisdom, vitality, strength and power. Phillips, she noted, has had a “profound impact on our school.”

Phillips’ nomination included comments from former students, fellow staff members and school board trustees. 

One event that stands out, wrote Shannon Longworth, “is her leadership in organizing ‘Every 15 Minutes,’ which challenges high school students to think about drinking, driving and making responsible decisions.”

Rim High graduate Kayla Carroll wrote that Phillips’ “dedication to uplifting others extends beyond her professional responsibilities. Her passion for making a difference is truly commendable and serves as a shining example of the impact one individual can have on their community.”

“I’m blessed,” Phillips told the Soroptimists. “I don’t go to work every day – I go to school.” She chose Operation Provider as the recipient of her award.

President Virgie Witte concluded the event by saying Soroptimists are “interested in economic empowerment for women through education.

“When war broke out in Ukraine and sent women and children out of the country,” Witte said, “Soroptimist International of Europe was there, ready with apartments and jobs for them.

“We pick up women who need help.”