Young women receive Soroptimist awards

Staff Reports

Soroptimist International of Carson Valley presented three area women with cash awards and scholarships at their club meeting on Feb. 10.

Clara Ritger was presented with the Violet Richardson Award, Emily Hannah won the Women's Opportunity Award and Tracy Hildman was presented with the Sally Landis Award.

Douglas High School student Ritger received the Violet Richardson Award, which honors young women for volunteer action. She received a certificate and a $500 award for her work with the Kiwanis Key (Kiwanis Educating Youth) Club. Ritger's efforts include helping families by organizing donation drives at Thanksgiving and Christmas, participating in the Bead for Life organization supporting women and children overseas, and participating in Trick-or-Treat for Unicef. She worked with the Family Support Council of Douglas County to raise awareness and offer help to victims of domestic violence. She played an active role in the Change for Children fundraiser for a schoolmate with diabetes.

Like Violet Richardson, president of the first Soroptimist club and for whom the award is named, Ritger believes community service makes a difference. Giving to those in need helps improve the community and encourages others to do the same.

Ritger advances to the Soroptimist Sierra Nevada Region level where a $1,000 Violet Richardson Award winner is selected and an additional $1,000 will be contributed to the winner's volunteer organization.

Soroptimist International of Carson Valley honors two head of household women with the Women's Opportunity and Sally Landis awards. The scholarships enable women who raise children or support dependents in a single-parent home to attend college and improve their employment and financial opportunities.

As the Women's Opportunity Award 2009 winner, Emily Hannah received a $1,000 scholarship, plaque and certificate. Many Women's Opportunity Award recipients overcome obstacles in their quests for better lives. More than $800,000 is disbursed yearly through Soroptimist awards to help women and their families. An estimated $15 million has been disbursed to more than 20,000 women since the Women's Opportunity Awards program began in 1972.

Tracy Hildman was awarded the $5,000 Sally Landis Award and a plaque. Recipients are heads of households who may use the award for any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, including books, childcare and transportation.

The award is named in honor of Soroptimist member Sally Landis of Carson City, who requested the club provide scholarships to mothers returning to school to improve their personal circumstances.

Soroptimist International of Carson Valley is comprised of businesswomen in management and leadership roles in the community. The club has worked to further growth, development and success of women and children for 29 years. Annual fundraisers include the Savor the Flavor wine tasting event and the Carson Valley Days button sales to raise funds for grants and scholarships. For membership information, call club president Alicia Main at (775) 450-4969.