MARCH 2021 - Soroptimist International of Riverside
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MARCH 2021
On February 23rd, Soroptimist International of Riverside held their monthly Zoom
Program Meeting with guest speaker Aurora Feehely, Golden West Region Public
Awareness Pillar. (Aurora is highlighted in yellow in the above screenshot.) Aurora
spoke to members about how to promote SI Riverside on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
and Tik Tok and how to get the word out about our club activities through social media
posts and press releases. It was a very informative meeting with members discussing
various public awareness ideas and asking inquiring questions.
• EDUCATION: Women and SENIOR DELEGATE
girls deserve to lead full and Charlene Johnson
productive lives through (951) 907-0096
access to education. gracious135@yahoo.com
• DIVERSITY & FELLOWSHIP: JUNIOR DELEGATE
Women from varied Debra Steinmiller
backgrounds and (951) 369-0817
perspectives work together dwchotro@sbcglobal.net
to improve the lives of
women and girls.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
SOROPTIMIST
VISION 2020-21
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Women and girls have the
resources and opportunities to
PRESIDENT
reach their full potential and
Edith Gingerich
live their dreams.
(951) 640-3881
edithg@earthlink.net
SOROPTIMIST
VICE PRESIDENT
MISSION
Melanie McKee
(760) 586-3131
Soroptimist is a global volunteer mckeemelanie4@gmail.com
organization that provides
women and girls with access to RECORDING SECRETARY Edith Gingerich
the education and training they Lynn Scecina 2020-21 SIR President
need to achieve economic (951) 317-2141
empowerment. woodcrestchiro@aol.com
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
SOROPTIMIST JoAnn Moore
TAG LINE (951) 662-4505
jamatlakelemon@aol.com
“INVESTING IN TREASURER
Debbie Ferraro As we enter Women’s History
DREAMS” (951) 212-2358
debbers813@aol.com
Month, Soroptimist International
celebrates 100 sterling years of
assistance to women and girls via
SOROPTIMIST ASSISTANT TREASURER a Live Virtual Event on Sept. 25-
CORE VALUES Barbara Walling 26, 2021.
(714) 875-0873
wbmuse@sbcglobal.net It’s interesting to note that Stuart
Soroptimist International of the
Americas is committed to: Morrow, an Irish immigrant,
SENIOR DIRECTOR helped organize the first
Tillie Soliz Soroptimist club in Oakland,
• GENDER EQUALITY: (951) 285-9682
Women and girls live free California, in 1921. For more
tilliesoliz20@gmail.com information on Soroptimist
from discrimination.
International's 100th anniversary,
JUNIOR DIRECTOR check out the hashtag
• EMPOWERMENT: Women Ellen Clizbe
and girls are free to act in #Soroptimist100.
(951) 321-9590
their own best interest. eclizbe@yahoo.com Locally, I’d like to thank all of the
donors and buyers from our
recent Valentine Virtual Auction as
well as the committee chair,
JoAnn Moore, Melanie McKee for MARCH 2021 APRIL 2021
her assistance with the technical CALENDAR CALENDAR
end of things and all the auction
committee members. The virtual
auction met 60% of goal with total
revenue of $5,825 plus the
committee received $8,945 in
cash donations from our virtual
fundraiser.
These are phenomenal
contributions in a Covid-19
pandemic. Thanks again to all to
donated and participated. It’s
through your help we can assist
more women and girls Live their
Dreams.
Coming up on March 6th, we will
be holding our 12th annual "Live ALL MEETINGS IN
Your Dream: Dream It, Be It MARCH WILL BE ALL MEETINGS IN
Conference," only this time it will ON ZOOM APRIL WILL BE
be virtual. Thanks to Michelle ON ZOOM
Paradise, Ellen Clizbe and all the
1 ZERO DISCRIMINATION
committee members for doing
DAY 6 BOARD MEETING
such a great job converting this
12:00 PM on Zoom
outstanding conference to a
2 BOARD MEETING
virtual Zoom meeting format.
12:00 PM on Zoom 7 WORLD HEALTH DAY
This conference is designed to
expose and mentor 7th and 8th
6 VIRTUAL LIVE YOUR DREAM: 10 SI RIVERSIDE CHARTERED
grade AVID students to many
DREAM IT BE IT 4-10-1948
potential career paths they may
CONFERENCE
never have considered.
12 EQUAL PAY DAY
8 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S
Have a great month and stay
DAY 13 BUSINESS MEETING
safe!
12:00 PM on Zoom
9 BUSINESS MEETING
Edith Gingerich
12:00 PM on Zoom 22 INTERNATIONAL EARTH
2020-21 SIR President
DAY
10 NATIONAL WOMEN AND
GIRL'S HIV/AIDS 27 PROGRAM MEETING
AWARENESS DAY 12:00 PM on Zoom
21 INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR
THE ELIMINATION OF DATES TO REMEMBER
RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
NO PROGRAM MEETING
IN MARCH
May 20-22, 2021 • Fundraise for female-focused Soroptimist International urges
GOLDEN WEST REGION charities. governments to:
SPRING CONFERENCE
Virtual on ZOOM • Endorse the “Women’s
SOROPTIMIST Empowerment Principles:
September 25-26, 2021 INTERNATIONAL Equality Means Business”
SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL and encourage the private
OF THE AMERICAS 100th sector to sign up and report
ANNIVERSARY ONLINE on the principles.
CELEBRATION
• Uphold and implement
July 20-23, 2022 areas of the Convention on
SIA 47TH BIENNIAL the Elimination of All Forms
CONVENTION of Discrimination Against
Seoul, Korea Women and the Beijing
Soroptimist Platform for Action which
International address the importance of
MARCH 8, 2021
women’s representation in
INTERNATIONAL Position Paper: leadership and decision
WOMEN'S DAY making and take notice
of CEDAW’s General
LEADERSHIP Recommendation Number
23 on women in political
Soroptimist International is and public life.
committed to the empowerment
of women as leaders and decision • Support the work of
makers, yet recognizes that international partnerships
women are consistently under- such as the Inter-
represented in positions of Parliamentarian Union to
leadership. Structural barriers as increase the percentage of
well as differences in access to women in government.
International Women's Day is a resources and capacities render
global day celebrating the social, women less likely to achieve • Implement efficient methods
economic, cultural and political leadership positions than their to augment gender equality
achievements of women. The day male counterparts. in leadership positions.
also marks a call to action for
accelerating gender parity. • Eliminate all forms of
Women’s participation in
Significant activity is witnessed violence directed towards
decision-making at local, national
worldwide as groups come women in positions of power
and international levels is a
together to celebrate women's or those participating in
fundamental prerequisite for the
achievements or rally for women's elections.
realization of equality, sustainable
equality. development and peace. Not only
• Monitor and report on
does the inclusion of women’s
Marked annually on March women’s participation in
voices and a gendered
8th, International Women's Day is politics and decision making
perspective improve their status
one of the most important days of at all levels.
but works to improve society as a
the year to: whole.
• Adopt UN Women’s
• Celebrate women's recommendation to
All women and girls, regardless of “encourage greater
achievements.
their educational attainment, are involvement of women who
entitled to have their voices heard may be marginalized,
• Raise awareness about
and to take on leadership roles in including indigenous
women's equality.
their families, communities and women, women with
beyond. disabilities, women from
• Lobby for accelerated gender
parity. rural areas and women of
any ethnic, cultural or
religious minority, in collective which can influence Once again your dedication
decision-making at all lives. allows us to continue our work
levels, and address and supporting women and girls to
counter the barriers faced by Soroptimist International: pursue their dreams, despite the
marginalized women in many challenges that were
accessing and participating • Educates society as a whole presented in a health crisis. We
in politics and decision- on the benefits of equal learned new ways to reach
making at all levels”. representation of women and supporters and you responded!
men in decision making.
Soroptimist International will The Auction enabled us to reach
continue to: • Empowers women and girls almost 60% of our goal of
with the skills, confidence and $10,000. This amount will help
• Encourage girls from an early capabilities necessary for with scholarships and grants to
age to participate in decision- taking on leadership and high school seniors, female heads
making and to learn the skills decision-making positions in of household and to our service
necessary to become leaders, the family, in their programs.
championing the SI theme communities, in the private
“educate to lead." sector, in the public sector If you were not able to join us at
and in local, national and the Virtual Valentine Auction this
• Harness the power of the international government year, we encourage you to visit
media and new technologies bodies. our website:
to promote women’s
participation in leadership • Enables opportunities for www.soroptimistriverside.org
and decision-making. women and girls through
lobbying and advocacy for There you will find information
• Adopt a life course approach increased representation. about donations and upcoming
to women’s participation, ways to participate in achieving
working towards a world our goals.
From Soroptimist International
where women’s voices website: soroptimistinternational.org
are equally represented With deep gratitude,
throughout their lifetimes. JoAnn Moore
FEBRUARY 6-10, 2021 Chair, Virtual Valentine Auction
• Support initiatives which VIRTUAL VALENTINE
ensure that decision making DESSERT AUCTION MARCH 6, 2021
processes are participatory,
LIVE YOUR DREAM:
responsive, equitable and
inclusive. DREAM IT, BE IT
CONFERENCE
• Provide educational and
leadership opportunities to
women and girls to ensure
that there is equal access to
the capabilities necessary to
successfully and confidently
take on positions of power
and influence.
• Recognize that achieving
gender balances in
leadership is about all sectors
– government, civil service,
THANK YOU! Soroptimist International of
Riverside will hold their 2021 "Live
Your Dream: Dream It, Be It
private sector, political
Those two words cannot express Conference" on Saturday, March
parties, trade unions, the
the amount of gratitude I have for 6th starting at 8:00 AM and
judiciary, employers’
all the participants of the 2021 ending at 1:10 PM. This year, due
organizations, academic
Virtual Valentine Auction. to the COVID-19 pandemic, we
institutions and any other
cannot meet in person so the format, this year's "Live Your members to get to know you and
conference will be held on Zoom. Dream: Dream It, Be It support you to reach your goals.
Conference" should still be one of This has been a great project for
Since 2008, Soroptimist our best. us. Going forward, we wish you
International of Riverside has the best for the future.
annually presented our “Live Your See you all on March 6th.
Dream: Dream It, Be It Now, on to what we did in
Conference” to introduce 7th and Michelle Paradise, February. With the last few dollars
8th girls in the AVID Live Your Dream: Dream It, from the generous donations
(Advancement Via Individual Be It Conference Chair members gave at Christmas, plus
Determination) program to a few dollars I added, I put
various career opportunities and together Valentine gift bags for
the way to achieve career goals. each of the young ladies.
The bags, donated by JoAnn
Moore from her stock supplies,
were filled with a small box of
Russell Stover chocolates, one of
Truffles, some loose candy, a few
trinkets and a gift card to Chipotle
Mexican Grill (more "Thanks" to
JoAnn).
INSPIRE LIFE SKILLS
TRAINING
The conference includes
workshops provided by successful
women in many different
professions, outstanding keynote
speakers and activities aimed at
setting goals and outlining the
steps to achieve them. We want I want to start this month's article
the girls to discover how to by saying a very heartfelt "Thank
achieve their dreams, one step at You" for the wonderful support
a time, with the help and support you've given over the past 5 years
of the amazing women in helping the young ladies of
Soroptimist International of Inspire House reach their goals.
Riverside and other professional On February 17th, Kacey Sutton-
women from the Riverside area. Last week Kristi Perez, Founder Davidson brought dinner from
and Director of Inspire Life Skills California Pizza Kitchen. Keeping
This year we already have 94 girls Training, contacted me to say they in mind that two of the young
registered and we look forward to have a new, small group of ladies are vegetarians, she
all of the members of SI Riverside friends to take over supporting the ordered what she called a
also attending. Luther Street Inspire House. She "'vegetarian delight" including 2
also thanked SI Riverside for the boxes of Buffalo cauliflower
Watch your email inbox for a link years of support we have given. appetizers and 5 pizzas, all
to the Zoom meeting and please vegetarian.
plan to join us. "Thank You" Kristi Perez, Inspire
Life Skills Training and the young
Even though it will be virtual ladies of Luther House for the
requiring adjustments to the opportunity you gave our club
circumstances that have or could help us to be better known
derail their dreams. for our work.
Working in 21 countries • Our Dream Programs have
and territories, Soroptimist the highest potential to
economically empowers women improve the lives of the
and girls who have faced women and girls they
obstacles such as poverty, benefit, and also their
violence and teen pregnancy. families, communities and
Through our Dream Programs, the world at large.
Soroptimist provides these women
and girls with access to the Who are the specific women and
Thank you for being the
education and skills training they girls we are trying to reach
wonderful, caring and generous
need to reach their full potential through the Dream Programs?
ladies that you are. I am lucky and
and live their dreams.
proud to be a member of
Live Your Dream Awards: For this
Soroptimist International of
We do this work because we award, we seek applicants who
Riverside.
believe: have overcome obstacles and are
trying to get their lives back on
Linda Robertson
• Some women and girls face track, build a better life for
Inspire Program Chair
specific barriers to reaching themselves and their families and
their full potential and living lift themselves and their families
SOLT their dreams and these are out of poverty through education
Soroptimist Orientation and the women and girls who and skills training. These women,
need our help. who have dependents, have
Leadership Training
overcome obstacles including
• Quality education, more domestic and sexual violence,
than any other intervention, teen pregnancy, addiction, health
holds the greatest potential issues, the death of a family
to transform the lives of member or mental health issues.
women and girls. They want to increase their
standard of living but lack the
• Women and girls who have financial resources to access the
faced obstacles such as education and training to
poverty, sexual and domestic succeed. Around the world, head
violence, homelessness, of household women have the
addiction, teen pregnancy highest poverty rates. Helping
and other circumstances are these women improve their
in most need of access to education and skills offers them
Our Target resources and opportunities
to reach their full potential
the best chance of improving their
lives and the lives of their
Population and live their dreams. children—ensuring more positive
outcomes for generations to
• Our Dream Programs come.
Soroptimists believe EVERY specifically support the UN
woman and girl has a right to live Secretary General’s call Dream It, Be It: For this program,
her dream. It’s stated in our for accelerating women’s we seek girls who do not have
vision: Women and girls have the economic empowerment access to the resources or
resources and opportunities to because they are rooted in information they need to
reach their full potential and live the UN agenda for women’s adequately plan for their futures.
their dreams. equality. We focus on girls in secondary
school who, in most cases, are
We know all women and girls can • Our brand-unifying Dream between the ages of 14 and 18.
face discrimination solely because Programs can maximize We aim to empower girls at risk
of their gender. We also know Soroptimist’s impact on for having their dreams derailed
some women and girls face these women and girls and because of obstacles including
greater challenges because of poverty, unstable home lives,
living in foster care or teen
pregnancy. They lack access to MARCH BIRTHDAYS
professional role models and
career education and do not
understand the steps needed to
accomplish their goals. Helping
these girls identify their career
goals and path to success will
empower them to overcome the
barriers they face now and in their
future in order to live their
dreams.
Annamarie Megrdichian Pam Bradford posted: "After 8
In order for this strategy to year old grandson Braden
continue to be successful, we must March 20th finished his virtual home
continue to change the way we schooling today, he plopped
think and the way that we down on the couch and spent
approach our work. We need to
Edith Gingerich
time working on his new book
align our resources at every level March 24th which he is calling 'Batman
– club, region and federation – to 2099.' He uses the app 'Book
focus on the Dream Programs Create' that came pre-loaded on
because we know our Dream Kathy Michalak
the tablet that his elementary
Programs: March 25th school provided for virtual
learning. This app allows
• Are evidence-based.
Braden to write and record
MARCH
stories and import graphics and
• Create a measurable impact CLUB MEMBERSHIP photos to design each page.
on women and girls. ANNIVERSARIES 'Batman 2099' already has
19 pages!"
• Address a need in all of our
communities.
• Support the work that matters
to us including ending
violence against women and
girls and lifting them out of
poverty.
• Define our impact to a larger
audience.
Carolyn Kegarice Jana Cook posted: "And it's still
• Appeal to potential members 3-1-1986 snowing. Nice to have the
and supporters.
record breaking freeze out of the
way before we move."
• Attract funders. MEMBER MOMENTS
ON FACEBOOK
Working together, following the
same strategy, reaching for the
same goals, focusing on our
common mission and programs,
we can do everything that is
important to us including securing
the future of Soroptimist for
generations to come.
Taken the Soroptimist International
of the Americas website:
soroptimist.org
Susan Exon posted: "Beautiful Kathy Michalak was tagged in a
progression of the sunset over post by Byrka Mindreau-Banks.
the ocean tonight." "Got a tour by Kathy through the
beautiful homes built by Habitat
for Humanity on Meyers Street.
Congratulations on this amazing
project. You guys are a jewel to
our community."
Paula McCroskey posted a
treasured Facebook memory
Debbie Ferraro was tagged in a from February 2015: "Thank
memory from 3 years ago posted You Rich Ramirez and Jose
by Chelsea Lea Storm-Larsen. Medina for being such amazing
"Looking forward to our next mentors over so many years at
happy hour." RCC and even now! It was great
to see you both at the Riverside
Sports Hall of Fame
ceremony today!
Michelle Paradise posted: "Early
V-Day dinner with friends."
Edith Gingerich posted: "My
beautiful granddaughters 10
years ago."
Annamarie Megrdichian posted:
"Every day we should celebrate
something no matter how
crummy we feel. Today I
celebrate the beauty of the snow
outside (while I am safe and
warm inside)."
Kathleen Parra posted: "Yeah,
second shot done! Feeling
thankful."
Charlene Hildebrandt posted:
"Happy Birthday!"
Janet Payton posted: "Sending a Tillie Soliz updated her
little sunshine to all my snowy profile picture.
cold family and friends."
Susan Wolf posted: "Great but
short visit with Uncle Christopher
over weekend."
OTHER MEMBER NEWS
Honorary Member Judy Pekarek
posted: "I bet all my California
friends are jealous of this
weather in my new hometown."
Carol Allain Speer shared a post
by Soul Alchemy. "NASA has a
poster hanging with bees that
reads: Aerodynamically a bee's
body is not made to fly. The The members of SI Riverside
good thing is that the bee send best wishes for a quick and
doesn't know." full recovery to member Carolyn
Kegarice following her
recent surgery.
INFORMATION
Linda Robertson was tagged in a
post by Robbin Staley Banks.
"Our beatiful Traci, how we miss
you! How could it be 2 years
since we saw your smile. It will
always be lost in our souls and a
loneliness in our hearts."
Kacey Sutton-Davidson was
tagged in a post by Fel Mel.
"Galentine's wine tasting night."SOROPTIMIST
RIVERSIDELINES
SOROPTIMIST
INTERNATIONAL OF INTERNATIONAL
RIVERSIDE
8A Romsey Terrace
CLUB NUMBER Cambridge, CB1 3NH
114315 United Kingdom
MAILING ADDRESS: WEBPAGE
P. O. Box 1631 www.soroptimistinternational.org
Riverside CA 92502
EMAIL ADDRESS:
SOROPTIMIST PLEDGE
siriverside@soroptimist.net
WEBPAGE EDITOR
www.soroptimistriverside.org Pam Bradford
FACEBOOK DEADLINE
Soroptimist Riverside CA Submit articles and photos
by the 25th of each
INSTAGRAM
month to Pam at:
soroptimistriverside
pambradford@pamsemail.net
LINKED IN I pledge allegiance to
www.linkedin.com/company/sor
Soroptimist and to
optimist-international-of-riverside "OLD FRIENDS"
The ideals for which
it stands:
The Sincerity of
Friendship,
GOLDEN WEST REGION
The Joy of Achievement,
WEBPAGE The Dignity of Service,
www.goldenwestregion.org The Integrity of
Profession,
FACEBOOK The Love of Country.
Soroptimist International Golden I will put forth my
West Region greatest effort to
promote, uphold, and
defend these ideals, for a
larger fellowship You know time has a way of
SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL
OF THE AMERICAS INC. in home, in society, moving quickly and catching
in business, for country you unaware of the passing
1709 Spruce Street and for God. years. It seems like yesterday
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6103 that I was young, just married
and embarking on my new life
WEBPAGE with my mate. Yet in a way, it
www.soroptimist.org
seems like eons ago and I
FACEBOOK wonder where all those years
Soroptimist International of the went.
Americas
I know that I lived them all. I
have glimpses of how it wasback then and of all my hopes this I know, that when it's over • Going out is good but
and dreams. But, here it is... the on this earth, it's over and a coming home is even
winter of my life and it catches new adventure will begin! better!
me by surprise.
Yes, I have regrets. There are • You forget names but it's
How did I get here so fast? things I wish I hadn't done and OK because other people
Where did the years go and things I should have done, but forgot they even knew you!
where did my youth go? I indeed, there are also many
remember well seeing older things I'm happy to have done. • You realize you're never
people through the years and It's all in a lifetime. going to be really good at
thinking that those "older anything especially golf.
people" were years away from So, if you're not in your winter
me and that winter was so far yet, let me remind you, that it • The things you used to care
off that I could not fathom it or will be here faster than you to do, you no longer care to
imagine fully what it would be think. So, whatever you would do but you really do care
like. like to accomplish in your life, that you don't care to do
please do it quickly! Don't put them anymore.
But, here it is. My friends are things off too long! Life goes by
retired and getting grey. They quickly. So, do what you can • You sleep better on a
move slower and I see an older TODAY, as you can never be lounge chair with the TV
person in myself now. Some are sure whether this is your winter blaring than in bed. It's
in better and some worse or not! called "pre-sleep."
shape than me but I see the
great change. Not like the ones You have no promise that you • You miss the days when
that I remember who were will see all the seasons of your everything worked with
young and vibrant but, like me, life so, LIVE FOR TODAY and say just an "ON" and "OFF"
their age is beginning to show all the things that you want switch.
and we are now those older your loved ones to remember
folks that we used to see and and hope that they appreciate • You tend to use more 4
never thought we'd be. and love you for all the things letter words.
that you have done for them in
Each day now, I find that just all the years past!! • Now that you can afford
getting a shower is a real target expensive jewelry, it's not
for the day! And taking a nap is "Life" is a GIFT to you. The way safe to wear it anywhere.
not a treat anymore, it's you live your life is your gift to
mandatory! Cause if I don't on those who come after. Make it • You notice everything they
my own free will, I just fall a fantastic one. sell in stores is sleeveless.
asleep where I sit!
Remember these things:
• What used to be freckles
And so, now I enter this new
are now liver spots.
season of my life unprepared • It is Health that is real
for all the aches and pains and Wealth and not pieces of
• Everybody whispers.
the loss of strength and ability gold and silver.
to go and do things that I wish I
• You have 3 sizes of clothes
had done but never did! • Your kids are becoming you
in your closet, two of which
but your grandchildren are
you will never wear.
But at least I know, that though perfect!
the winter has come and I'm
not sure how long it will last,But "Old" is good in some things: Old Songs, old movies and best of all, our dear OLD FRIENDS! Stay well, "OLD FRIEND!"
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