Soroptimist International of Benicia is pleased to announce the winners of The Violet Richardson and Women’s Opportunity Awards for 2010.
Florenza Plung is the winner of the Violet Richardson Award. The award recognizes a young woman who is caring, compassionate, creative and, most of all, committed to making the world a better place. Ms Plung, a senior at Benicia High School, is president of Benicia High School’s Interact Club and treasurer of Benicia High School’s Red Cross Club. In addition, she participates as a youth commissioner in the Benicia Community Service Division, tutors for the California Scholarship Federation, participates in the Christian Club and teaches at Kid Zone of Northgate Christian Church. Ms Plung will receive a $500 award and has designated the Interact Club at Benicia High School to receive a donation of $500 in her name. “As a volunteer,” Ms Plung says,” I learned how important it is to cherish all the things I have in life…to share what I have, and to do as much as I can.”
The winner of the Women’s Opportunity Award is Kristen Cote. This program was created in 1972 to help women improve their ability to provide for their families. It targets women who serve as the primary wage earners for the families and provides them with the financial resources to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education or additional skills and training. Ms Cote is a resident of Benicia with her two daughters, ages 4 and 7. She is a licensed Esthetician but her main career goal is to work with foster and underprivileged children. To that end, Ms Cote is enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program at Solano Community College. She will use the $1500 award to finish her AA degree in Early Childhood Education and then transfer to John F Kennedy University to obtain a bachelors degree in Psychology. “My goal,” she says,” is to work with children to open their minds to how valuable they are to our world and to manifest each of their personal gifts.”
Soroptimist International of Benicia is part of Soroptimist International of the Americans. Benicia members join with almost 100,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories to contribute time and financial support to community-based projects benefiting women. In addition to participating in the Violet Richardson and Women’s Opportunity Award program, Soroptimist International of Benicia provides local scholarships, supports women recovering from drug and alcohol abuse, and contributes to other many other local and national causes. For more information about how Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls, call Frances Harkins at 745-8756.
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