A large contingent of Soroptimists from the Greater Santa Clarita Valley attended the Soroptimist International regional conference in Long Beach over the weekend of April 21.

Over 200 regional Soroptimists were on hand to observe the local Soroptimist Int’l. of Greater Santa Clarita Valley club achieve a multitude of top performance awards.

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Soroptimist Int’l. of Greater SCV is one of the largest clubs in the Soroptimist organization, with over 75 members.  Thus one of the accolades achieved was the “Victory” trophy for largest net gain in membership.

“The Wine Affair:  Sip, Stroll & Savor the Sounds” event won recognition for both fund-raising and public awareness success to benefit women’s health.  This annual event is scheduled this year for Sunday, October 21 in Valencia Town Center.  The Club will also hold the “HighHeelaThon” to “stomp out” domestic and teen-dating violence on Saturday, July 14 in Old Town Newhall.

In addition to the learning and celebrations of the conference, elections were held which resulted in Dora Zavala and Darlene Gandara being installed as Regional Governor-Elect and Regional District Director, respectively.

The most significant recognition achieved by the Club is the “Governor’s Award” for top overall club performance.  It acknowledges success on the local level, as well as participation in the international programs conducted by Soroptimist International worldwide, to improve the lives of women and girls.  Many members of Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley were individually named “Distinguished Soroptimists”.

Front row: Cheri Fleming, Dora Zavala, Laura Kirchhoff, Bonnie Stauch, Sheryl Geraci, Valerie Chase. Second row: Sue Reynolds, Darlene Gandara, Pam Jeffke, Pam Oneby, Rebecca Johnston, JoAnn Vindigni; Top row: Naomi Carmona-Morshead, Luana Minor, Julie Morel, Kris Hough, Karen Schnurr