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The Violet Richardson Award
The Violet Richardson Award is a program conducted by the
Soroptimist International of the Americas
Federation. As a volunteer service organization Soroptimist believes
that by acknowledging young women's volunteer involvement now, they will
grow up to be vital active
members of the community. The Violet Richardson Award honors young women
between the ages of 14 and 17 for volunteer action such as fighting
drugs, crime and violence, cleaning up the environment and working to
end discrimination and poverty.
The Violet Richardson Award program begins at our local Soroptimist
club level, where the type of award varies from a certificate and
recognition at a club meeting or special event to a monetary gift to the
young woman and/or her charity. Club level winners then become eligible
to compete at the district level and the six district level winners are
honored at the annual Founder Region Conference where the Region winner
is announced. The Region winner is then one of 28 Soroptimist
International of the Americas finalists, one of whom will receive a
$2500 contribution to her volunteer organization.
The award is named after Violet Richardson, the president of the
first Soroptimist club in Alameda County in 1921. Richardson believed in
personal responsibility and the motto, “It's what you do that counts.”
She lived her life accordingly, as an active member in her community who
was committed to creating opportunities for girls and young women.
Soroptimist established this award to honor the memory of this unique
woman and her dedication to volunteer action. |
