Soroptimist International - Rogue Valley

Linda Edholm

SI/Ashland's winner is Linda J. Edholm of Medford, a student at RCC, completing her transfer degree to Southern Oregon University (SOU), where she will study for a Bachelor's degree in Human Communications with a certificate in Non-Profit Management. Linda is a single mom with two children. She will receive $3,000 from the Ashland club, with an additional $1,000 as a regional winner. One of Linda's references says, "She is a courageous and determined woman, who is clear about her goals and thus works hard to achieve them."

Lynn VanCouvering

Lynn Y. Van Couvering from Grants Pass is SI/Medford's winner with a $1,500 award. Lynn is a student at RCC and has matriculated with the Oregon School of Technology for a BS degree in health care informatics, a special program in electronic medical records and information technology. She has overcome an economic turndown in a business she owned and is a single mom with four children.

Nicole Doran

SI/ Rogue Valley Sunrise (Medford morning club) is giving two awards. Their first-place winner is Nicole L. Doran of Ashland, who is finishing her Associate of Arts Transfer Degree this winter at RCC where she will continue studying until her transfer to SOU in September, 2011 and eventual degree in Business Administration. A mother of three daughters, Nicole works full time. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the RCC academic honor society. She will receive a $2,000 award.

Nichelle Laabs

Nichelle I. Laabs of Medford is the SI/Rogue Valley Sunrise's second place winner. Nichelle is attending RCC, where she is studying her prerequisites for nursing school. She hopes that being a nurse will help her provide a stable life for her and her two teen age children. She will be awarded $1,000.

Tamara Kane

SI/North Valley in Central Point will award Tamara J. Kane of Grants Pass a $1,000 award. Tamara is studying at RCC for a two year Applied Sciences Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a single mom with one daughter. Tamara is overcoming the economic downturn with education and pursing a new career. Currently a volunteer with KidZone, she hopes to be a pre-school or kindergarten teacher.

Christa Brown

Christa M. Brown of Grants Pass is this year's SI/River Valley (Grants Pass) winner of $1,000. Christa is a student at RCC studying for an Associate of Arts Transfer Degree in Psychology and an Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies: Criminology. She plans to move on to a four year university to complete her Bachelor's Degree. Christa wants, eventually, to aid victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes. She is a single mom with a seven year old daughter. She is a member and an officer of Phi Theta Kappa, the RCC academic honor society. She is also a community volunteer.

The 5 Rogue Valley Soroptimist clubs, from Ashland to Grants Pass, will be awarding $9,500 through their Women's Opportunity Awards (WOA) to 6 women heads-of-household, who are attending  Rogue Community College (RCC). Some of these women are eligible to receive additional grants from the Northwest Region or Federation level of Soroptimist International.

Since 1972, the WOA has been a signature program of Soroptimist Clubs throughout the Americas, resulting in cash grants for women to improve their employment status by gaining additional education and skills. The program is designed to assist women who provide the primary financial support for their families.  Most of women who receive awards have overcome the obstacles of domestic violence, drug abuse, or other hardships to better their lives through education. Winners may use the award to offset any costs associated with their higher education including books, childcare and transportation.

Link to 2009-10 Winners

In 2008, 1,120 women received awards totaling more than $3.1 million dollars throughout the SIA Federation.