Women of Distinction 2011: Winners Announced!

Cathy Carter and Elizabeth Garber are the 2011 winners of the Soroptimist International of Hood River’s Women of Distinction Award. Each year since 1975, SIHR has worked with community organizations to honor women whose work in a professional or volunteer capacity makes a significant difference in the quality of life in our community.

The awards luncheon will be held on Wednesday, November 2nd from 11:30- 1pm at the Gorge Room at the Best Western Hood River Inn. Tickets for the luncheon are $18 each and available at Waucoma Bookstore.

Cathy Carter grew up in Hood River and has been involved in planning many philanthropic events. Presently she is the Executive Director for Heart of Hospice Foundation. Since 1997 Carter has also been the founder and Principal Organizer of the Fashion Show Gala which benefits the Christmas Project. She volunteers at area schools and has organized the YoHoHs--- Youth of Heart of Hospices, a high school group, whose goal is to bring joy and comfort into the daily lives of hospice patients. Carter also organized the Peg Lalor Rocks party to benefit of Gorge Games founder Peg Lalor after her injury.

Cathy Carter is a creative thinker and has great insight when it comes to marketing and fundraising. But more importantly, people respond to her enthusiasm, passion and sincerity,’ said Jodi Goatcher, Executive Director of Heart of Hospice.

Elizabeth Garber has been an active and continuous community volunteer since the 1970s. She is a founding member of the Columbia Art Gallery as well as the Friends of the Hood River County Library. She has been President of both organizations and continues to be involved as an active volunteer. She was also the first treasurer of the Hood River County Library Foundation serving during the five years of the ‘Millennium Project’, the library building expansion. During that time, Garber accounted for the $1 million raised by private fundraising and grants to support that project. A passionate quilter, Garber has used her skills to raise funds for her causes. She is now serving as President of Columbia River Gorge Quilt Guild, a new organization of the quilters in the six area counties.

Elizabeth Garber brings all her intelligence, heart and skills to any project she undertakes," said June Knudson, retired Library Director. "And because of the way she honors those who work with her, many more are willing to get involved and help her."

Women's Opportunity Awards

Are you a single mom? Or the primary financial provider of your family? Enrolled in school or vocational training to better your life? In need of financial help to reach your goal?

Then you may be eligible for the Soroptimist Women's Opportunity Award: Five $1,000 cash awards! These awards are jointly sponsored by Soroptimist International of Hood River (SIHR) and Soroptimist International of Mt. Adams. (SIMA)

The Women's Opportunity Award is NOT a scholarship - it may be used for tuition, babysitters, gas or books. Hard copies of the application are available at the Hood River News front desk, Columbia Gorge Community College/Hood River Campus, the Hood River Library or the Whitson Elementary School in White Salmon OR you may download and print the six page application included with this post.

The deadline to submit applications is December 1, 2011. Send your completed application to SIHR, PO Box 51, Hood River, OR 97031 OR SIMA, PO Box 152, White Salmon, WA 98762.

Women of Distinction 2011

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Any woman who has distinguished herself in significant contribution to the quality of Hood River County’s community life is eligible. She must have been active for at least ten years in her endeavors, either as a professional or as a volunteer.

APPLICATIONS

Applications are available from Waucoma Bookstore, 212 Oak St, Hood River and attached to this blog post (above).

APPLICATION PROCESS

As you prepare your application, be sure to tell your nominee’s story both with examples and timelines so that the three judges, previous winners themselves, will be able to understand and compare your nominee’s qualifications against that of other nominees. List all activities that show her dedication, effectiveness, and vision. Letters of recommendation are limited to three.

WHO CAN NOMINATE? Either an individual or organization can nominate.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: SEPT. 28
Applications are due back no later than Wednesday, September 28, 5 PM. Mail completed application packets to: SIHR (Soroptimist International of Hood River), P.O. Box 51, Hood River, OR 97031.

NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS: OCT.5
Nominators and winners will be notified by Wednesday, October 5. Winners will need to be available for an appointment with SIHR photographer Oct. 6-12.

AWARD LUNCHEON: NOV. 2
The Women of Distinction Award Luncheon is Wednesday, November 2nd in the Gorge Room at the Best Western Hood River Inn. Tickets ($18 each) will be available beginning October 20th at Waucoma Bookstore.

QUESTIONS? Contact Suzanne Van Orman, 541.386.9290/ email: SVanor@aol.com

Wine, Women & WOW!

The BEST women's networking event is back at The Pines in Hood River this fall! Wine, Women and WOW is happening Sept. 28th, 5 pm - 7 pm and promises to be bigger and better than ever! More vendors, more opportunities to connect and forge new relationships with some of the most exciting women in the Gorge!

Vendors, reserve your space at this event by contacting mary@hoodriverredesign.com - see you there!

2011 Harvest Quilt

This year Soroptimist International of Hood River has been chosen as the sponsor of the annual Harvest Quilt Raffle and will be the beneficiary of the funds raised through the sale of raffle tickets. The quilt will be displayed at various locations - starting this First Friday at Waucoma Bookstore! - until the Harvest Fest, October 14th - 16th. All monies raised will directly benefit women and girls throughout the Gorge through the programs of SIHR. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.

LUNAFEST: February 23rd and 24th

• The 10th Annual National Touring Film Festival − LUNAFEST®: Short Films By, For, About Women® − is coming to Hood River!

This fundraising film festival, dedicated to promoting awareness about women's issues, highlighting women filmmakers, and bringing women together in their communities, will be hosted by Soroptimist International of Hood River and Mt. Adams at Columbia Center for the Arts at 215 Cascade in Hood River on February 23 and 24.

• Showings are scheduled for 6:00 pm and 8:15 pm each day, with pre-show wine events at 5:30 pm and 7:45 pm.

• Tickets are available at Waucoma Bookstore in Hood River and Sterling Bank in White Salmon. Advance purchase of tickets is advised.

This unique film festival highlights women as leaders in society, illustrated through nine short films by women filmmakers. The films range from animation to fictional drama, and cover topics such as women’s health, motherhood, body image, aging, cultural diversity and breaking barriers. Visit www.lunafest.org for details and a sneak preview!! Please call 503-637-0361 if you have any questions.

Locally, 15% of the proceeds from LUNAFEST will go to the Breast Cancer Fund and 85% will be used for the community service projects sponsored by Soroptimist International of Hood River and Mt. Adams.

Soroptimist is an international volunteer organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls. The local clubs work toward this goal by raising funds to assist organizations such as Helping Hands, Next Door and Programs for Peaceful Living, and by providing scholarships to assist women in improving their skills and education.

Thus far, LUNAFEST, which is created and funded by LUNA®, The Whole Nutrition Bar for Women®, has raised over $360,000 for Breast Cancer Fund and over $570,000 for other women’s non-profit organizations.

FREE MOVIE SCREENING FEB. 3RD IN THE DALLES!

At today's weekly SIHR meeting, we learned about a newly-formed group in The Dalles: Half the Gorge Sky, a group of women who have come together with a mission very similar to that of Soroptimists, improving the lives of women worldwide. They were inspired after a book club reading of "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide". In the interest of public awareness and education, Half the Gorge Sky inviteS everyone in the community to a FREE screening of the film, "A Walk to Beautiful," an Emmy award-winning story of healing and hope for Ethiopian women devastated by childbirth injuries. The film follows the story of 5 women, who as a result of their injuries are abandoned by their husbands and ostracized by their communities, undertake the long journey to reclaim their lost dignity and self-worth.

This FREE screening is this Thursday, February 3rd, 6:30pm, at the Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles, Building 3, Room 302.

2011 Winter Gala!

TONIGHT is the annual Winter Gala fund raiser hosted by SIHR, Soroptimist of Mt. Adams and the Rotary Club of White Salmon/Bingen! Doors open at 7pm at the Best Western Hood River Inn (the Gorge Room) with dancing to music spun by DJ Randy Haines starting at 8pm. The event features a dessert buffet and a silent auction filled with FABulous items! Admission is a tax-deductible $18 per person or $30 per couple. All proceeds from the Winter Gala directly benefit people in our communities!

(So very sorry to have been off-line and out of touch for the last month! Computer issues have all been resolved, so I can return to regularly scheduled updates...)