Soroptimist Hosting Breakfast for Potential Members

Soroptimist International of Downey will host a breakfast meeting Sept. 17 for potential new members.

The breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Rio Hondo Event Center.

Soroptimist is a service organization for women who enjoy volunteering and giving back to their community.

RSVP by calling Mia Vasquez at (562) 806-3217 or e-mail missaywell@verizon.net.

Installation of New President Patty Kotze

Tonight SI Downey proudly installed President Patty Kotze and her new board for the upcoming 2009/2010 year. President Patty's theme for the year is "United in Service."

The Installation dinner was held at Del Rae's in Santa Fe Springs, CA.

Soroptimists members participated in an entertaining murder/mystery skit in honor of our new President, who is the owner and co-founder of Diversified Risk Management, a
thriving business here in Downey. The skit starred Soroptimist members Pat Heineke, Dorothy Pemberton, Mia Vasquez, and Sue Potter.

Camino Real Spring Conference

This past weekend several SI Downey members attended the Camino Real Spring Conference in beautiful Ventura. We were stayed athte Crowne Plaza on Ventura Beach.

The meetings were informative and the trade fair a shopper's paradise.

We were proud that our Women Making a Difference award winner Nina Smart was honored by the region for her work fighiting against Female Genitalia Mutilation (FGM).

Women of Distinction

Soroptimist International of Downey recently held its annual women of Distinction breakfast honoring women who have volunteered to make a difference in Downey and (in some cases) the world. First row, left to right: honorees Nina Smart, Dr. Wendy Doty, Carli Ciatti, Mary Zoe Phillips, and Mayor Pro Tem Anne Bayer. Second row: council members Luis Marquez and David Gafin, Mayor Mario Guerra, Camino Real Regional Gov. Cheri Fleming, club president Monica Goel-Hornberger, District 3 director Linda Haines, and Councilman Roger Brossmer. Honoree Katie Hare was out of town and unable to attend.

Stonewood Center Donates to Soroptimist

Stonewood Center in Downey donated a $500 gift card to Soroptimist International of Downey for its upcoming fundraiser, “A Night at the Copacabana Casino,” at the Rio Hondo Event Center on April 17. From left: Stonewood’s Patty Kotze, Charlie Hallums and Whitney Wigle, and Soroptimist members Monica Goel, Jan Scott and Mia Vasquez.

Soroptimist Honoring Local Women

Soroptimist International of Downey will host its annual Women of Distinction award breakfast March 26 at 7:30 a.m. at the Rio Hondo Event Center.

The honorees are Mayor Pro Tem Anne Bayer, director of the LivingHelp Center; Dr. Wendy Doty, superintendent of the Downey Unified School District; Katie Hare, businesswoman and community volunteer; and Mary Zoe Phillips, philanthropist involved with the Medical Books for China program.

Being honored with the Violet Richardson Award for student volunteer of the year is Carli Ciatti.

A new award this year, Making a Difference for Women, will be awarded to Nina Smart, founder of Servicing Wild Flowers International, an organization formed to stop the practice of involuntary female circumcision in the West African country of Sierra Leone.

For information and reservations, call (562) 861-9874.

Working Moms Get Help for School

Soroptimist International of Downey recently awarded three $1,000 scholarships to local women who are “working hard to reach their potential and fulfill their dreams.”

The Women’s Opportunity Award is a scholarship presented to women who are head of their household and who have a desire to return to school. All of this year’s winners have children to support and hold jobs, but need financial assistance to reach their educational goals.

This year’s winners include Hope Jaramillo, a mother of four who is studying to be a family counselor and currently works at Downey Regional Medical Center; Paula La Breche has one son and is currently enrolled full time at Cerritos College studying to become an insurance adjuster; and Zuly Orozco, another employee from Downey Regional, who has two children and is studying to be a registered nurse.

For information about membership in Soroptimist International of Downey, call Dorothy Pemberton at (562) 927-9908.