Desiree Tinder and an amazing team of volunteers: Laura, Suzan, Joy, Donna, Yvonne, Joanie, Faye, Mary, Sandy, Suzanne, and especially our  non-Soroptimist volunteers Kathleen Ramos and her sidekick from Kappel &  Kappel and Sarah Hey, were on hand Wednesday at Travis Credit Union to help facilitate the MCM program with our STEPS students from Country High.   We couldn't have done it without all of you!

25 students, an even mix of boys and girls, were in attendance. Though the session started
out  a little slow, they were attentive and interested. Once we got started and  moving  through the stations you could really see some of the kids "get  it."  The kids  who really, really "got it"  made everything worthwhile. 

Thank you to  Carole and Joan for the excellent grab-and-go lunches. 

And thank you to  Camille Guiterrez and Travis Credit Union for giving
us this day with the kids.  We look forward to doing more of these and getting
better with each  one!

The momentum continues with Suzan Hey and college
prep on April  10th.

We enjoyed the "Live Your Dream" inspired evening of awards at the Buck Mansion Carriage House last Tuesday evening.  Our annual awards banquet hosted the recipients of the Woman's Opportunity Award, the Violet Richardson Award, and the Ruby Award.  In addition we recognized a special "STEPS" star and several Soroptimists during the evening.
In total, $5000 was awarded to these inspirational women.

Vacaville Vice Mayor, Dilenna Harris, delivered a motivational message encouraging us to live our dreams and work hard to accomplish our goals, realizing there are obstacles, but overcoming those challenges and experiencing even more growth as a result.

The event was well attended, including  Region  Board members, Governor Dona Gaddis-Wolf, Governor Elect Bobbi Enderlin, Treasurer Pam Parker, Secretary Charlene Stamps, and District III  Director Shannon Richards.
 
To see more photos taken during the evening, visit our Facebook page. (Be sure to "like" our page)

Our STEPS meeting was so incredible today, I can not wait until next week to tell you all what happened, I have to tell you now. Our first speaker was wonderful, cheerful, positive and her message of Choose Your Attitude was well received.  WE all ended up in a circle, arms around each other singing! Very uplifting,  and then our second speaker came forward. She was  a former student and started to cry and give the most moving message of agony and hope to everyone.  This girl survived molestation, rape, attempted murder,  drug use, miscarriage, abandonment by men and finally had a child of her own and realized it was time to make positive changes.  She made it clear that she made some bad choices and once she realized that she turned her life around about a year and a half ago.  She returned to school and got a job with Blake-Austin.  She is raising her eight year old daughter on her own and making her life a success. She sobbed at many parts and we were all affected by her story.  I thanked her and told her she would never know how many lives she changed today.  Later she told me she was so scared, then surprised by how many people came up to hug her.      She told me it was scary but also EMPOWERING! Wow,   it was so moving. She made a difference today,  as did Suzy Mitchell with her positive attitude exercise. I am so grateful Desiree brought this project to us and we were smart enough to proceed with it.  We are making a difference in lives! Hugs to all

What is International Women's Day?
Each year around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

Help us celebrate women all over the world!
March 8 is International Women’s Day—the day we celebrate the many accomplishments of women worldwide. This year, LiveYourDream.org invites you to participate in its Buy a Brick, Build a Dream campaign, which kicks off March 8 and ends March 31.

CLICK HERE TO START BUILDING! Buy a virtual brick in honor of a special woman or girl in your life, while supporting our programs that help women and girls around the world to live their dreams.

Use your brick to send inspiration to someone special, or to honor someone who inspires you, by posting a picture with a unique message. Maybe it’s for your close friend, your mother or sister.

The larger the wall we build, the greater support we can provide to help women and girls live their dreams.

Buy your brick today and join a community that celebrates the amazing women in all our lives!

Isn’t it time to say Enough is Enough?

Violence against women and girls is a worldwide problem that affects people of all nationalities, faiths and economic backgrounds. Ending this violence isn’t just the responsibility of Governments but of every woman, man, boy and girl across the globe.

We can only end violence against women by changing society, relationships and the underlying factors that allow it to continue. We all have a role in raising awareness in our communities, changing attitudes and supporting grassroots action.   

Take Action on International Women’s Day

Soroptimist International is calling for a global day of action on International Women’s Day – 8th March 2013. By organizing an event or demonstration on a bridge or other prominent place, SI Clubs can raise awareness of violence against women and say:  ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.