EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS OF LINCON TO LIVE THEIR DREAMS
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INVESTING IN DREAMS
Soroptimist International of Lincoln
Women at their best, working to help other women to be their best
WHO WE ARE: Soroptimist International of Lincoln is a local chapter of a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. Our name, Soroptimist, loosely translated from the Latin, means best for women
Our Vision: Local women and girls have the resources and opportunities to reach their full potential and live their dreams. We have been fulfilling this vision locally since 2005 by providing monetary awards to help women and girls pursue their education goals. When women and girls are educated, they have opportunity, choice and power to make healthy decisions for themselves and their families. Last year we awarded over $15,000 in scholarships to women and girls in Lincoln.
OUR CORE VALUES
Education
Women and girls deserve to lead full and productive lives through access to higher education
FELLOWSHIP & dIVERSITY
Women from varied backgrounds and perspectives work together to improve the lives of women and girls.
EQUITY
Women and girls live free from discrimination and have equal access to education and opportunity.
EMPOWERMENT
Women and girls are free to act in their own best interest
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
STACY REA-THOMAS
President, Soroptimist International, Lincoln 2024-2025
It is with immense gratitude and profound honor that I stand before you today as the incoming president of this remarkable organization.
I have been blessed with amazing, loving parents, and I want to highlight my mother, Sandra Rea. Her constant support, belief, and advocacy in my life have been invaluable. In my youth, she would remind me that the three barriers to my success were Me, Myself, and I.
Through my travels, within my career and mentoring through STEM and Women in Technology, I’ve realized many women and girls do not have someone like my mother in their corner. Wherein lies our opportunity to serve. This inspired my theme, our theme, for the year: “She believed she could, so she did.”
Growing up, our refrigerator displayed a quote from Henry Ford: “If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.” This captures our theme, emphasizing the power of belief in unlocking our potential.
This simple yet powerful phrase, She believed she could, so she did, embodies the spirit of Soroptimist. It speaks to the courage, determination, and belief that women around the world possess. It is this belief that drives countless women to overcome obstacles, break barriers, and achieve their dreams.
As Soroptimists, we are part of a global movement that empowers women and girls to reach their full potential. Our mission is to inspire confidence and self-belief. When a woman believes in herself, there is no limit to what she can achieve.
Over the years, I have witnessed the incredible impact of our programs. I’ve seen women gain the skills and resources they need to build better lives through the Live Your Dream Award. I’ve seen girls, who once doubted their worth, stand tall and proud, ready to take on the world through the Soroptimist Santa, Teen Esteem and Dream It, Be It Program.
Today, as I step into the role of president, I am inspired by the stories of success and resilience that have brought us here. I am humbled by the tenacity of our charter members: Jean, Alysia, and Jerri, who 20 years ago saw a need to bring women together and made it happen. I am committed to continuing this legacy of empowerment so that even more women and girls can say, “I believed I could, so I did.”
Our journey ahead is filled with opportunities. My passion is mental health and wellness. With depression, anxiety disorders and eating disorders on the rise especially disorders unique to women such as depression at times of hormonal changes. It is a noble goal and fitting for the Presidential Passion Program to create safe environments for conversation to be had without stigma where women and girls can thrive without fear or limitation.
But we cannot do this alone. We need the collective strength and support of our members, sponsors, and the community of Lincoln. Each one of us has a role to play in making our vision a reality. Let us draw inspiration from one another, celebrate our successes, and learn from our challenges.
Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” As Soroptimists, we believe in the beauty of every woman’s dream. We are here to nurture those dreams and turn them into reality.
Members, thank you for your advocacy, dedication, passion, and belief in our mission.
Together, we will continue to inspire, empower, and transform lives. Together, we will prove that when a woman believes she can, she truly can.
Thank you.
With Your Help, We are Making Dreams Come True
All of the funds we raise through our events and fundraisers are designated as scholarships to local women and girls. When
- girls have access to higher education they can attain jobs above the poverty level.
- when children have educated moms they are more likely to stay in school and attain higher education levels.
- women earn higher incomes families live healthier.
Live Your Dream Initiative
Each summer memebers of Soroptimist International of Lincoln gather together and begin planning the programs we will offer young high school girls, and the fundraising events that will support our programs and our scholarships awards.
Our Mission & Approach
Soroptimist International of Lincoln is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas, Inc®. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, Soroptimist (Soroptimist.org) provides women and girls with access to education and training through the work of volunteers in 21 countries and territories. Its Soroptimist Dream Programs ensure women and girls have access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. The Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women® provide cash grants for head-of-household women seeking to improve their earning potential. About $35 million in awards has been disbursed to tens of thousands of women since the award-winning program began in 1972. Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls® provides girls with tangible strategies to accomplish their future career goals.
We are a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations to support our programs.
Your Donations Make a HUGE Impact
2024 Dream It, Be It scholarship recipient of $1,500, Drew Wardhaugh and club member Stacy Rea-Thomas Awards Committee Co-Chair.
Soroptimist International of Lincoln gave $9,000 in scholarships to Senior girls graduating from Lincoln Highschool, Twelve Bridges High School, and Phoenix High School.
The Violet Richardson Award, Chloe Boysal, a Junior at Twelve Bridges High School, received $500 for her volunteer efforts with The Salt Mine Thrift Store. She will use this money to help fund a mission to Bolivia this summer, where she will help build a school.
Young women attending our annual Teen Esteem conference. In 2025 we hope to serve girls from both Lincoln High School, Twelve Bridges High School and Phoenix High School. The conference serves 250 young women.
OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS
Anna Robertson, Arbonne |
Chris Gaudio |
Caldwell Banker, Sun Ridge |
DeAnna’s Salon |
Gail Holmes, Mary Kay Cosmetics |
Howard and Karen Rothstein |
Indian Creek Golf Course |
Jan Stephens, J Stephens Designs |
Lincoln Smiles |
Mandie VanBuren, Edward Jones |
Noble Venture |
Old Town Pizza |
PK Sushi |
Placer Dermatology |
Pottery World |
Robin Padilla, defendableme.com |
San Francisco Bay Coffee |
Shanti Landon |
Simple Pleasures |
Smokin’ Barrel Winery |
Stretch Lab |
William Sonoma |
Wine & Cheese Book Club |
Wise Villa Winery |
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