Visit some of our archived files from the founding of Soroptimist International of Vacaville from 1960. Our History In 2013, longtime Soroptimist International of Vacaville member Jill Hunter, DDS ( pictured below) decided to take on a big project -- documenting our history! She worked with graphic artist and longtime member Tara Baumann to create a visual History Map of SI/Vacaville. Click on the link to read about Our "HER"STORY to see the results of their work. This publication stretches from 1960 to the 2000's and is updated as needed by our club historian. OUR "HER"STORY Past Presidents Elsie Sasser 1960-61 ( Charter President) Virginia Clark 1961-62 Mary Ward 1962-63 Alice Knapp 1963-64 Marian Thomas 1964-65 Mae Azevedo 1965-66 Betty de la Cruz 1966-67 Beverly Stocking 1967-68 Marian Rowland 1968-69 Lola DeVan 1969-70 Pluma Deavers 1970-71 Noreen Rhodes 1971-72 Lela Johnson 1972-73 Lucille Spengler 1973-74 Martha Comstock 1974-75 Carol Zadnik 1975-76 Arta Miller 1976-77 Dee Yost 1977 Donna Meyers 1977-79 Carol Miller 1979-80 Jill Hunter 1980-81 Corinne Grannen 1981-82 Jan Marie Whitley 1982-83 Debbie Hitzeman 1983-84 Jackie Pearson Ricketts 1984-85 Pat Burd Johnson 1985-86 Lois Simmons 1986-87 Wendy Wasserman 1987-88 Ann Rollin 1988-89 Pat Moreno 1989-90 Diane McClure 1990-91 Denise Suihkonen 1991-92 Shelly Willis 1992-93 Joyce Suihkonen 1993-94 Kathy Andronico 1994-95 Kathy Riley-Graver 1995 Joyce Suihkonen 1996(President Pro Tem) Judy Dykes 1996-97 Rose McPharlin 1997-98 Yvonne Johnson 1998-99 Donna Fox 1999-2000 Tara Baumann 2000-01 Mary Harris 2001-02 Clara Oakes 2002-03 Stephanie Corrington 2003-04 Yev Dakessian-Taylor 2004-05 Suzanne Clark 2005-06 Suzan Hey 2006-07 Faye Sheppard 2007-08 Lenora Fuller 2008-09 Kari Rader 2009-10 Carla Demaray 2010-11 Bambi Reile 2011-12 Clara Oakes 2012-13 Sandy Esparza 2013-14 Joy Swank 2014 -15 Desiree Ramos 2015-2016 Colleen Berumen 2016-2018 Beth Rowe 2018-2019 Lisa Hilas 2019-2020 Mary Dickey 2020-2021 Jackie De Vries 2021-2022 Linda Johnson and Sharon Marcacci 2022-2023 History of Soroptimist Founding

Honoring women in the Vacaville Community who have been mentors to women and girls. Dream Makers We have teamed with WRAP ( Women's reentry achievement program) WRAP case managers provide pre-release services in the jail prior to a woman’s release. Services include individual reentry planning, trauma and empowerment groups. We show women coming out of incarceration that we care, they are valued, and we believe in them. This program is specific to Soroptimist Int. of Vacaville, and local to our Solano County women. One common comment we get from the participants is that we made them feel special. Members take the woman shopping, out to lunch and send to a local salon for hair and nails. It may seem like a small thing but it has a big impact. Are you going back to school or enrolled in a program? You may qualify for a scholarship- Follow link to apply SCHOLARSHIP

All rights to images and programs is owned by Soroptimist of Vacaville and may not be used without the express written permission of Soroptimist International of Vacaville We Need Your Support Today! Donate ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY The Soroptimist International of the Americas logo is subject to copyright. It shall not be reproduced without written consent from Soroptimist International of the Americas. Reproduction of documents on this website is also prohibited without written prior consent Soroptimist International of Vacaville welcomes your participation in the interactive features on our site, including posting comments on facebook, and Instagram. Due to the stance of political neutrality adopted by Soroptimist International, Soroptimist International of Vacaville reserves the right to edit or remove comments received if the comments could jeopardise the work of Soroptimist International of Vacaville around the world – at international or club level.Soroptimist International reserves the right to withhold material submitted for inclusion on the website.Material: In these Terms and Conditions, ‘material’ includes, without limitation, text, images, graphics and video. SIVV specifically does not make any warranties or representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any material on the site. SIVV is not liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred which is claimed to result from use of this site. Use of this site is at user’s sole risk. Some photographs on this site are supplied by Soroptimist members. It is assumed that Soroptimist International of Vacaville has permission to use such images on its website. Should the site display a photograph for which no such permission has been granted, they should be notified and it will be removed. This site may contain links to third party websites. Those websites are not under the control of SIVV and SIVV is not responsible for their contents. The inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement of that site. RESOURCES

Dream it, Be it- workshops to empower girls 14 through 18 with lifeskill and problem solving training. Dream It, Be It Dream It, Be It reaches girls in secondary school who face obstacles to their future success. Through small group workshops or a conference setting, we mentor girls on setting and achieving their goals, moving forward after setbacks or failures, and discovering career opportunities.

Soroptimist of Vacaville has many projects that they fund within the Vacaville community. Serving the Vacaville Community since 1960 We love our town, and we love being involved in local events. In honor of International Day of Women we partnered with the Vacaville Musuem to honor women in aviation. Community members were invited to nominate a woman who had worked in aviation, or nominate themselves. Girls State Through our Community Grants program we donate money to Anerican Legion Auxillary to issue grants to girls to enable them to attend Girls State. California Girls State is a leadership program of the American Legion Auxiliary designed to increase awareness and knowledge of governmental processes while learning about the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Soroptimist Means Business In response to the pandemic Soroptimist Int. of Vacaville awarded grants to women owned/operated businesses to show our appreciation and acknowledge how difficult the pandemic had been on businesses in Vacaville. Honored Health Care workers during Pandemic Response to Wild Fires The LNU fires devistated Vacaville. SIVV donated $5,000.00 to help our community. Donation to Cancer Center from Fund-A-Need Pictured placing a sign is former President, and retired Northbay nurse, Mary Dickey Honoring former President Wendy Wasserman Kellogg who left us too soon. Pictured are past Presidents, Lisa Hilas, Beth Rowe, member Nancy Bennet and past President Mary Dickey

Live Your Dream awards grants to women head of household who are furthering their education and have financial need. Live Your Dream This is a program from Soroptimist International of the Americas. Award is open to women who are head of household with financial need. Since its inception in 1972, SIA has distributed more than $30 million in education awards to 30,000 women making a better life for themselves and their families. Soroptimist Int. of Vacaville is a part of this effort. Read about the impact here. To learn if you qualify please visit our application page LYD 2024-2025 We awarded 9 Live Your Dream Scholarships Ranging from $1000 to $1,500 Apply between 8/1 and 11/15

Nominate a mentor today for Soroptimist International of Vacaville's You Make A Difference You Make A Difference Award Do you know a woman who is currently making extraordinary differences in the lives of women/and or girls? Nominate her today for our You Make A Difference Award! She is an inspiration, a mentor, role model and a catalyst for affirmative change, who quietly and without fanfare goes about positively influencing the direction and path of young women. She actively participates as a mentor, cheerleader, coach and leader. She does these things through her employment, volunteer work and/ or friendship. Examples may include a counselor, teacher, mentor, girl scout leader, mother of a friend, coach. The following attributes make you think of her: Impact: This woman’s work or volunteerism is making a significant difference in the life of a woman or a girl. Inspiration: The work of this woman inspires and encourages women and girls Mentor: She serves as an ongoing coach and mentor, who inspires and encourages, assisting women/girls in developing their skills and experiences, and provides them with ongoing support and encouragement. Commitment: Through the depth and breadth of her involvement, she supports women and girls to achieve their goals, aspirations, and dreams. NOMINATE TODAY! Sarah Velasquez 2023-2024 Awardee Submission Form Your Name Nominee's Name Your Email Why you are nominating this person Submit Left to Right Chair Cyndy, Sarah Velasquez, Committee members Connie and Donna Sarah is an outstanding teacher at Buckingham Charter School enjoying her 22nd year in teaching. She is also an "S" Club advisor. Sarah is dedicated to enriching the lives of all students, not just her own. She takes on extra duties as a teacher going above and beyond the call of duty and adding to her already overwhelming workload. Sarah is warm, nurturing and dedicated to her profession all while making the lives of her students and colleagues much brighter. She is a woman of substance and is a perfect addition to our Soroptimist “You Make a Difference” award. Awardee for 2021-2022 Congratulations to awardee Kelli Germeraad of Vacaville, who has been honored with SI Vacaville’s first-ever “You Make a Difference Award,” for her outstanding mentorship, support, encouragement and advocacy for young women through the American Legion Auxiliary’s Girls State program. Kelli Germeraad Awardee for 2022-2023 Congratulations to Cathia Bueno Sanchez, who was presented with the "You Make a Difference," award by Soroptimist International of Vacaville during its annual awards banquet April 17. Soroptimist Bridgit Strachan (left) and Cyndi Gianquinto (right) presented flowers in a crystal vase and the award to Cathia, who is a case manager for the Women's Re-Entry Achievement Program with Solano County. Left to Right Chair Bridgit, Cat Sanchez, member Cyndy

Soroptimist of Vacaville was founded in 1960 and has been serving women and girls in Vacaville and globally for over 64 years. MINUTES 2023-2024 MIN JUNE MIN JANUARY MIN MAY No MIN DEC MIN APRIL MIN MARCH MIN FEB MIN NOV MIN OCT MIN SEPT MIN AUG RECAPS

Soroptimist International of Vacaville was founded in 1960 and is part of the larger Soroptimist International of the Americas, a service organization to empower woman and girls through education, leading to economic empowerment. Programs to Empower, Recognize, and Honor Women and Girls Our Programs Click on links to go to program for more details. Live YourDream - Grant program for head of household women in college or trade school with financial need. Dream It, Be It - Working with high school girls to teach resiliency,problem solving, and goal setting. Dream Makers - Working with WRAP to empower and support women re-entering the work force. Scholarships - Offering $9,000.00 scholarships ( paid over 3 years to women in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of college. Mary Harris Reading program - Reading to children in after school programs in Vacaville. Community Grants- currently awarding grants to Girls State though American Legion Auxiliary You Make A Difference Award - Honoring women in our community who make a difference. Care-o-ling- 43rd annual caroling at Assisted Living Homes. Founder Region Signature Project- Fellowship Violet Richardson Award - Honoring young women in High School for volunteerism. "S" clubs - Supporting service clubs in local high schools. Read the facts and statistics here . Why Women and Girls?