On November 1, Soroptimist International of Bellevue Metropolitan, an international volunteer organization for business and professional women, began seeking applicants for its recognition program targeted to young women who make the community and world a better place. The Violet Richardson 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. This is not a scholarship based on grades this is a recognition award for volunteer work in their community and beyond.
“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 Sherry Schuler, president of the Bellevue Metropolitan club.
The Violet Richardson Award program begins at the local Soroptimist club level, where the type of award varies (Soroptimist International of Bellevue Metropolitan presents a $400 award to the winner and $400 to her charity of choice). 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.
Applications for the award program are available by contacting Dede Olson at (425) 398-2435 or email SIBMAwards@inboxalias.com. Applications must be returned to Soroptimist International of Bellevue Metropolitan by December 1.
The award program is named after Violet Richardson, the president of the first Soroptimist club in 1921. Richardson believed in personal responsibility and the motto, “It’s what you do that counts.She lived her life accordingly, as an active member in her community who was committed to creating opportunities for girls and young women. Soroptimist established this award to honor the memory of this unique woman and her dedication to volunteer action.
Chartered in 2004, Soroptimist International of Bellevue Metropolitan is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas. Its mission is to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Bellevue Metropolitan members join with almost 95,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories worldwide to contribute time and financial support to community-based projects benefiting women. The Bellevue Metropolitan club works closely with the Eastside YWCA Family Village and Angeline’s Eastside Women’s Shelter helping homeless and underprivileged women and children. In addition, the club participates in Soroptimist International of the Americasmajor service project, the Women’s Opportunity Awards program—cash grants for women seeking to improve their economic situation through additional training and/or education. For more information about how Soroptimist International of Bellevue Metropolitan improves the lives of women and girls, call Schuler at (425) 614-2749.
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