(Joplin, MO) – Soroptimist International of Joplin presented several awards in addition to installing new officers at their annual banquet on Thursday, June 23, 2022.
The Ruby Award was presented to Debi Koelkebeck, Executive Director of Jasper County CASA. The Soroptimist Ruby Award honors women who have worked to improve the lives of women and girls through their professional and/or volunteer work.
The Alice M. Pantoja Best Woman of the Year award was presented to Courtney Barnard. This award is to honor a club member who has made an outstanding contribution to Soroptimist over the years. Courtney has served the Joplin club as a past club president, Camp Soroptimist chair, and Comedy for Camp chair in addition to many other committees.
Winners of the Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women® were also recognized during the banquet. This award provides women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families with the financial resources to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education or additional skills. This year’s recipients are Cherie Bebee, Vanessa Dolce, Mary Hargrove, and April Riddle.
Tammy Matlock was awarded a Missouri Southern Soroptimist scholarship. This scholarship is given yearly to a woman who is currently enrolled or attending classes at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU). In Tammy’s absence, Michelle Wood, Director of Major Gifts at MSSU, accepted the honor.
Officers for the club year 2022-2023 were installed as follows:
- Cathy Brown, President
- Rikki Smith, President-Elect
- Shannon Smith, 1st Vice President
- Jennifer Reeves, 2nd Vice President
- Lisa Paugh, Treasurer
- Megan Woodard, Corresponding Secretary
- Kris Bullard, Recording Secretary
- Kerstin Landwer, One-Year Director
- Cheryl Glass, Two-Year Director
- Laura Wacker, Associate Director 1
- Bobbie Pottorff, Associate Director 2
- Lynda Banwart, Past President
- Amanda Mitchell, Parliamentarian
Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. With its long history of working with women and girls, Soroptimist knows that helping them receive education, develop skills, and gain training is a powerful strategy toward realizing their dreams.
For more information about Soroptimist International of Joplin, visit www.joplinsoroptimist.org, or the club’s Facebook page.
Reference:
Cathy Brown, President
Soroptimist International of Joplin
417.347.4963
cmbrown@freemanhealthsystem.com
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