The six Rogue Valley Soroptimist clubs are in the process of awarding a total of $11,500 dollars through their Women’s Opportunity Awards (WOA) to 10 women heads of household, from Ashland to Roseburg, who are working on educational programs at Rogue Community College, Southern Oregon University and Crater Lake Electrical Training Center.
Over the past five years, the clubs have been doing their judging together to better serve applicants. Most women who receive these awards have overcome the obstacles of domestic violence and/or drug abuse in their families or other hardships to go on to better their lives through education.
Since 1972, the Women’s Opportunity Award (WOA) has been a signature program of Soroptimist Clubs throughout the Soroptimist International of the Americas Federation. The Women’s Opportunity Awards program gives monetary 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.
Winners may use the award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education – including books, childcare and transportation. Local club first place winners go on to compete for additional awards at higher levels of the Soroptimist organization.
The local winners are as follows:
Soroptimist International of Ashland:
Amalia B. Kieley is SI/Ashland’s first place winner. She will receive $2,000. Amalia is a student at Southern Oregon University, where her ultimate goal is to become a nurse. She is described by Laura O’Bryon, Dean of Students, as having “effective communication skills, critical thinking skills, and an interest in bettering the student environment.” Amalia works three jobs and is raising an infant son, while attending school. She has been on the Dean’s list every term she has been enrolled at SOU.
The Ashland club’s second place winner is Mandy C. Rucker, who is also a student at Rogue Community College in the Practical Nursing Program. Mandy hopes, eventually, to earn a four year Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing to become a registered nurse. She is currently employed as a nurse’s aide. She has two children and lives in Grants Pass. Mandy will be awarded $1,500.
Soroptimist International of Medford (Medford noon club):
Cyndi L. Noyes is the SI/Medford club’s first place winner and will receive $1,000. Cyndi is attending Rogue Community College, working on the second year of her Associate of Science Degree, which will allow her to transfer to Southern Oregon University to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services. She is very excited about a career in Human Services, where she “can assist people to successfully interact with life, and find all the resources they need.” She is a single mom with a daughter in college, and lives in Medford.
SI Medford’s second place winner is Jessie R. Rucker, who is enrolled at Rogue Community College to obtain her Child Development Accreditation (CDA). She hopes to go on to further her courses in Early Childhood Development to eventually obtain an Associates Degree, which will enable her to become a teacher with Head Start or Early Head Start. Jessie is a single mom with two children and will receive a $500 award.
Soroptimist International, Rogue Valley Sunrise (Medford morning club):
The first place winner for SI/Rogue Valley Sunrise is Jo A. Trumbo, who lives in Medford. She will be awarded $2,000. Jo is attending Rogue Community College, where she is completing her prerequisites to allow her to go on to complete a bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Care. She plans to transfer to the Oregon Institute of Technology. Jo hopes to utilize her talents and compassionate nature to “help those who cannot breathe for themselves.” She is a single mom and has seven children; two of whom are still at home. She herself was injured in a horseback riding accident and was comatose for two months. She had to relearn many things and overcome memory loss and anxiety.
Shawn K. Fennell is the SI/Rogue Valley Sunrise club’s second place award winner and will receive $1,000. She is a student at Rogue Community College taking her prerequisites to obtain an Associates Degree to go on as an x-ray or monitor technician, with an ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Radiology or Sonography. She hopes to transfer to Oregon Institute of Technology. She is a single mom with a daughter, and lives in Medford. Shawn has overcome many physical difficulties and losses in her life, and “hopes to promote advocacy for the disabled and down trodden women in America and abroad.”
Soroptimist International of North Valley (Central Point):
Jessica Brandtner is also a student at Rogue Community College. She is working on a one year certificate program in Architectural Drafting. She is learning the skills of housing design and Computer Aided Drafting (CAD). She is interested in designing eco-friendly and “green” houses. She should be able to get an internship with various architectural firms with this certificate. She is a single mom with a young son, and she lives in Medford. She will receive $750 from the North Valley club to use to complete her certificate, and start on her life long dream.
Soroptimist International of Rogue Starlight (Evening Medford club):
Eileen Renno, a student at Southern Oregon University, is completing the requirements that will allow her to get a degree in Education, so that she can teach mathematics, and Spanish and English as a Second Language. She ultimately plans to pursue a Masters in Teaching (MAT). Eileen is a single mom with a 12 year old daughter, who lives in Ashland. She will receive a $1,000 first place award from SI/Rogue Starlight.
Ingrid Dux is SI/Rogue Starlight’s second place winner and will also receive a $1,000 dollar award. Ingrid is a student at Southern Oregon University, working on a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Studies. She hopes to work for the government or a not-for-profit agency in any field that concerns the environment. She is working for the “betterment of the planet.” She hopes to make effective changes to outdated policies, help restore wasted areas, do environmental impact studies, and more. Ingrid is the single mother of three young children and lives in Ashland.
Soroptimist International of River Valley (Grants Pass):
Deborah Gettys is in her second year as an apprentice Inside Electrician at Crater Lake Electrical Training Center. She will be attending this program for a total of 5 years; every other Saturday for eight hours during the school term. She is also required to complete 8,000 hours of on the job training. She has completed 2,000 hours. She was a wildland fire fighter in the past. She is a single parent with two young children and lives in Roseburg. She will receive a $1,000 first place award from SI/River Valley.
Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women that strives to achieve “the Best for Women.” Almost 93,000 Soroptimists in 120 countries contribute time and financial support to community based and international projects benefiting women and girls. There are six clubs in the Rogue Valley from Ashland to Grants Pass, which determine their own local projects.
For more information about the Women’s Opportunity Awards, Soroptimist projects and membership, contact Kathy Garrett Canape, (541) 482-6288