Soroptimists Honor Four Local Women

Four local women were honored at the Soroptimist International of Poway’s annual awards breakfast Wednesday at Stone Ridge Country Club.

About 40 Soroptimists and community members gathered to recognize the women who received certificates, scholarships and roses.

“Our honorees have overcome many challenges to reach their goals,” said Marita Harmony, the president of Soroptimist International of Poway, a women’s service organization. “To our honorees, what we give you today is a small token of thanks, but we’re also offering encouragement to continue, and our continued support.”

The Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award was the first award presented. It is given “to a young mother who has overcome financial and personal hardships to continue her education to improve her ability to provide for her family,” Harmony said.

This year’s recipient is a woman who left her abusive spouse and sought shelter in transitional housing supported by the Soroptimist International of Poway for her and her two young children.

Today, the woman has recently completed one year of cosmetology training. She plans to become a stylist.

“Through all of the negativity that put me here, I’ve found so much positive influence with Soroptimist and Crisis House and the women that have came into my life,” said the award recipient, who received a $1,000 scholarship.

The Soroptimist Violet Richardson Award was presented to Hannah Yssels, a Westview High School freshman.

Harmony explained the award—which is named after the women who founded the first Soroptimist club—was established “to recognize a young lady who has contributed outstanding volunteer work in her community to make it a better place.”

At 12 years old, Yssels was diagnosed with scoliosis. She has since created a website to share her story and give others an opportunity to share their stories, too.

In addition, Yssels is on the soccer and field hockey teams at her school, and she has been actively involved in the Girl Scouts since she was in kindergarten. 

“I would just like to thank the Soroptimists for giving me this award,” said Yssels, who received a $500 scholarship. “I’m going to use the money toward my education.”

She also thanked the group for their donation to the Scoliosis Association of San Diego.

San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Gretchen Means was presented with the Soroptimist Ruby Award for Women Helping Women, which is given “to a woman who has demonstrated extraordinary interest, effort, time and energy to making a difference in the lives of women and girls,” Harmony said.

Means works in the Sex Crimes Unit and prosecutes cases involving sex crimes such as sex trafficking—a problem Soroptimists around the world are working to end.

Means has written gang and school legislation to combat and punish sex trafficking. She has also developed statewide sex trafficking training for law enforcement and prosecutors.

“The Soroptimists have done such a spectacular job at supporting and highlighting our efforts, which are really now affecting the support of our victims,” Means said. “I just want to thank you.”

The final award was given to another local high school student.

Lorraine Liwanag, who recently graduated form Abraxas High School, was presented with the Soroptimist Mikki Tuggey Memorial Abraxas High School Scholarship.

Harmony explained the award was created in honor of a club member who had devoted many hours to Abraxas. It is awarded to an Abraxas student “who has demonstrated outstanding scholastic achievement in overcoming personal obstacles to finish her education and to go on to higher education,” she said. 

Liwanag is the first of her siblings to graduate from high school. She plans to attend Miramar College and either go on to pharmacy school or study networking. Liwanag added that her father has recently gone back to school to study networking.

“Hopefully, I fill his shoes and make him proud,” said Liwanag, who also received a $500 scholarship.

In addition to the four award recipients, the Soroptimist International of Poway recognized Douglas R. McAllister, Verizon's director of government and external affairs. The Verizon Foundation awarded the Soroptimist International of Poway with a $9,500 grant, which has helped support Crisis House.