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2019 Ruby Award

The Soroptimist Ruby Award honors women who, through their professional or personal efforts, are making extraordinary differences in the lives of women or girls. Honorees are women who have worked to improve the lives of other women or girls. Their work has had a significant impact, and also inspires and encourages other women.

This year’s winner is Monica Du Pea, Director of the Nevada Youth Empowerment Project. Monica founded NYEP in 2007 to serve kids who when aged out of social services, have no where to go and benefit greatly from finding a safe environment in which to start their lives. This community-based non-profit partners with other entities to help participants become mature productive members of our society.

Additional honorees are Jannah Elhifny, of the Womens and Children’s Center of the Sierras (WACCS) and Florence Phillips, founder of the ESL In-Home Program of Northern Nevada. Since coming to the U.S. five years ago from Egypt, Jannah has worked to help other refugees learn the skills that will help make them productive members of their new country.  Florence provides in- home instruction at no cost to adults in Northern Nevada who wish to learn or improve their language and cultural skills. She has assisted more than 5,000 Northern Nevada immigrants and their families with her program, using volunteers and community donations.

SITM holds 10th Annual Making a Difference for Women seminar

Twenty young women took part is SITM’s annual Making a Difference for Women job readiness seminar on February 25. This program features workshops on looking for a job, writing resumes, succeeding in interviews, plus career and personal growth coaching. There are motivational speakers and a fashion show that suggests what’s ok to wear to work and what’s not. The program is hosted and coordinated by SITM members who are experts in human resources, job placement and career counseling. The seminar concludes with an opportunity for participants to shop for clothes for job interviews and the workplace at a Clothes Closet, furnished with donations from SITM members and club supporters. Making a Difference for Women participants are recommended by local human services organizations. Graduates of Making a Difference for Women are eligible to apply for SITM education grants to pursue schooling and/or job training.

Kirsty Heedick wins SITM’s 2019 Live Your Dream Award

Kirsty is a single mom working toward her Nursing Degree at TMCC. As the sole support for her family, she works while taking classes, and every dollar is precious. This $1,500 award will help make things a little easier. After achieving her RN degree Kirsty plans to attend the University of Nevada, Reno, to complete a bachelor’s degree, also in nursing. Her goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse.

Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women assist women who provide the primary financial support for their families. Live Your Dream Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.

Scholarship Awards in Thulipokhari, Nepal

SITM awards scholarships for girls to attend school and reside in the dormitory. Here they are celebrating their award.

About SI Truckee Meadows

Soroptimist International of Truckee Meadows is part of Soroptimist International, a worldwide organization of women that improves  the  lives  of  women  and  girls  through  programs leading  to  social  and  economic  empowerment.

SITM achieves its mission through a variety of projects including local adult and youth scholarships, Partner in Education with local schools, an annual women’s work readiness program, and educational support for girls in Thulipokhari, Nepal.

In 2017 – 18 we:

• Donated $96,480  to the community and Soroptimist projects
• Provided 3546 Volunteer hours raising funds and supporting community projects
• Details are in our Year in Review

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Water Is Life

The Soroptimist International President’s 2017-2019 Appeal supports projects that educate, empower and enable women and girls, ensuring they have the capacity, experience and education needed to manage water resources for their communities. SI President Mariet Verhoef-Cohen explains the projects in this video. Learn more