FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAN RAFAEL, Ca October 10, 2009 — Soroptimist International of Marin County, one of two Soroptimist Clubs in Marin, announces that application forms for the previously announced Violet Richardson Award and Women’s Opportunity Award are now on-line at www.marinsoroptimist.org/Awards/awards.html.

A young woman from age 14 to 17 who participates in community service and a woman who is the head of household, in financial need and in undergraduate or vocational school will each be honored with a $750 cash award.

Awards Chair Evelyn Deane urges those who are qualified to apply. Deane said: “Soroptimist’s goal is to better the lives of women and girls. We hear stories year after year how our grants have truly helped someone move in the right direction. We look forward to selecting two deserving recipients this year.”

PRESS RELEASE

SAN RAFAEL, Ca—Soroptimist International of Marin County, one of two Soroptimist Clubs in Marin, is seeking applicants for two very special awards: The Women’s Opportunity Award and the Violet Richardson Award, which are two of Soroptimists’ major service projects. Each award carries with it a $750 cash grant.

Women’s Opportunity Award: Women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families and seek financial assistance to go back to school can now obtain applications for the Women’s Opportunity Awards. “This award is at the heart of the Soroptimist mission to help women and girls. Providing a stipend to women who are in financial need and who are seeking to better themselves through educational or vocational training works to the betterment of the entire community. The ceremony granting the awards is one of our most rewarding moments each year,” said club president Molly Nugent.

Violet Richardson Award: The Violet Richardson Award is targeted to young women who make the community and world a better place. This award honors young women, between the ages of 14 and 17, for volunteer action such as fighting drugs, crime and violence; cleaning up the environment; and working to end discrimination and poverty. “As a volunteer service organization for business and professional women, Soroptimist believes that by acknowledging young women’s volunteer involvement now, they will grow up to be vital, active members of the community,” said Evelyn Deane, the Club’s Award Chairperson

Applications are available by contacting Evelyn Deane, Awards Chair, at ermdeane@marinsoroptimist.org. Applicants may also call (415) 456-2853. Applications are due December 1st.

Since 1972, the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards program has provided women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families with the financial resources to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education or additional skills and training. The award can be used for tuition, books, childcare, carfare or any other education-related expense. The Marin club will provide a $750 cash grant to its award recipient, who will then advance to the Soroptimist Founder Region level, where one recipient will receive $5,000. The program culminates with three finalist $10,000 awards.

The Violet Richardson Award program begins at the local Soroptimist club level, where the type of award varies (Soroptimist International of Marin County presents a $750 award to winners). Club-level winners then become eligible for one of 28 $1,000 awards. In addition, at this level, $1,000 will be contributed in honor of the winners to their volunteer organizations. One finalist will be chosen from among the 28 winners for an additional award, including a contribution of $2,500 to the finalist’s volunteer organization.

Soroptimist International of Marin County is a volunteer organization for business and professional women dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Founded in 1952, the Marin County club is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas where almost 100,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community-based projects that benefit women. In addition to participating in the Women’s Opportunity and Violet Richardson Awards programs, Soroptimist International of Marin County helps women and girls recovering from abuse by supporting the Jeannette Prandi Children’s Center. For more information about how Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls, go to www.marinsoroptimist.org