• Live Your Dream

    Congratulations to Halie, Kerri, and Maryam: Recipients of the Soroptimist International of Vancouver’s Live Your Dream Award 2024

      Maryam Bagzada Back in her home country of Afghanistan, Maryam stood out in her community as a representative for women’s rights – particularly for education. She was able to secure a scholarship to UBC where she is in her final year of a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a minor in commerce. When the Taliban took over Afghanistan, her family (particularly her mother) were targeted and they endured much physical and psychological trauma. With the help of her UBC professor, she lobbied for and was successful in achieving refugee status – and they came to Canada with nothing but their passports. Due to trauma and language barriers, they…

    Comments Off on Congratulations to Halie, Kerri, and Maryam: Recipients of the Soroptimist International of Vancouver’s Live Your Dream Award 2024
  • Local Community

    Soroptimist International of Vancouver Joins Xpey Pipe Ceremony, Spreading Joy with Christmas Gifts and Handmade Cookies

    December 20, 2023 (Soroptimist International of Vancouver) Soroptimist honoured to attend Pipe Ceremony with parents, teacher and students at Xpey. The elder shared his wisdom and often spoke to the assembled students about courage and kindness, and reminded them to remember their first pipe ceremony. Two soroptimist members, Donna Webb and Jane Rae, welcomed in to experience the blessing. The concert followed with Bannock and Santa Claus and everyone feasted on the two celebratory offerings. The concert contained: indigenous singing and drumming, an honoring with candles lit to remember the residential school, the young ones bounced with glee with smiles as wide as the world., dressed in their finery. One…

    Comments Off on Soroptimist International of Vancouver Joins Xpey Pipe Ceremony, Spreading Joy with Christmas Gifts and Handmade Cookies
  • Uncategorized

    Historic Groundbreaking: Soroptimist International of Vancouver Unveils First-Ever Women-Designed Affordable Housing Project in North America

    Soropitimist Housing Committee members: Carla Busnardo (left), Janet Law (center), Lenore Riddell (second from the right) December 2, 2023 (Soroptimist International of Vancouver) A group of women from seven Soroptimist clubs in Western Canada, representatives from three levels of government, BC Housing, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and the project development company gathered at the site of 550 West 11th Avenue (formerly 465 West 13th Avenue) on Friday, December 1st, 2023, to cheer and celebrate the groundbreaking event for the first-ever women-designed and -developed affordable housing project in North America. Since 1926, Soroptimist International of Vancouver has served local community to support and improve the lives of women and…

    Comments Off on Historic Groundbreaking: Soroptimist International of Vancouver Unveils First-Ever Women-Designed Affordable Housing Project in North America
  • Education,  Live Your Dream Award,  Uncategorized

    Tracy, Caitlyn and Rosalie – Recipients of the Live Your Dream Award 2023 from Soroptimist International of Vancouver

      Tracy Tan Tracy is our first-place winner for the Live Your Dream Award.  A single mother of a 3-year-old son, Tracy immigrated to Canada from China ten years ago.  She has faced considerable challenges –learning a new language, leaving an abusive relationship and obtaining permanent residency status.  Currently working on a Dental Technology degree from Vancouver Community College she is determined to stand on her own feet and provide for her son who she is raising to be proudly Canadian. Caitlyn Jacques Caitlin has overcome tremendous odds. She has experienced extreme trauma, including relationship violence, and is raising raising two young children (3 and 5 years old) completely on…

    Comments Off on Tracy, Caitlyn and Rosalie – Recipients of the Live Your Dream Award 2023 from Soroptimist International of Vancouver
  • Girls Program,  Live Your Dream,  Violet Richardson Awards

    Women, Girls, Community

      Annual Award Presentation by Soroptimist International of Vancouver Come and join us to celebrate the excellent work women and girls have done for our community.   DATE: Saturday, May 27th, 2023 TIME: 2:00 – 4:00p.m. Cakes, tea and coffee will be served.     PLACE: Vancouver Bridge Centre, 2177 West 42nd Avenue, Vancouver FEE: By donation Register & RSVP       Podcasts with the Recipients of the Violet Richardson Award 2023

  • Soroptimist

    Violet Richardson Award 2022 First Place Recipient – Catherine Diyakonov

    Catherine DiyakonovLord Byng Secondary SchoolViolet Richardson Award (2022) Recipient Thank you so much, Soroptimist International of Vancouver, for the Violet Richardson Award! I am incredibly honoured to be recognized by an organization that enables women to reach their full potential. In grade 9, I founded the Girls Will Stay Initiative as a club in my school with the mission to help girls stay educated, healthy, and sheltered on both local and international levels through fundraisers and community outreach events. We hoped to encourage women to stay in underrepresented careers and to fight back against any gender stereotypes they may face. When the Girls Will Stay Initiative launched, no more than…

    Comments Off on Violet Richardson Award 2022 First Place Recipient – Catherine Diyakonov
  • Soroptimist

    Violet Richardson Award 2022 First Place Recipient – Sophia Yang

    Sophia YangPrince of Wales SecondaryViolet Richardson Award (2022) Recipient I would like to thank Soroptimist International of Vancouver for recognizing my community service with a Violet Richardson Award. Throughout high school, I have had the privilege to be involved in scientific research and one of the things I also dedicated a lot of time to is providing disadvantaged groups with access to the same opportunities. As a volunteer at the organization Lives for Literacy, I have mentored aspiring researchers from around the world in conducting studies that address different global issues. Being active in the community is important to me and I plan to continue helping others through my volunteer…

    Comments Off on Violet Richardson Award 2022 First Place Recipient – Sophia Yang
  • Soroptimist

    Violet Richardson Award 2022 Recipient – Manpreet Dhesi

    Manpreet DhesiTamanawis Secondary SchoolViolet Richardson Award (2022) Recipient My name is Manpreet Dhesi, I am a grade 11 student at Tamanawis Secondary School. Firstly, I would like to thank Soroptimist International of Vancouver for being acknowledged for my community and school wide, volunteer efforts. As a volunteer I run a club at my school known as girlscantalktamanawis in which we strive to make a positive impact through issues we see within the community and throughout my school. I am also one of the co-founder’s of GenConnect. We help seniors feel more comfortable in this new era and assist them in connecting with their community and grandchildren. With the help and…

    Comments Off on Violet Richardson Award 2022 Recipient – Manpreet Dhesi
  • Soroptimist

    Violet Richardson Award 2022 Recipient – Micah Wu

    Micah WuSteveston London Secondary SchoolViolet Richardson Award (2022) Recipient I would just like to give thanks to the Soroptimist International of Vancouver for recognizing my efforts in the Richmond community. And I greatly appreciate being given the Violet Richardson Award by a wonderful organization that continues to provide a place of support, empowerment, and comfort for all women. Project Bloom is my community initiative, where I distribute origami flowers with encouraging messages, and origami craft kits with tutorial videos. Through this, I am able to spread my love of origami to the community, as well as joy and encouragement to others. Originally I was inspired to start my project through…

    Comments Off on Violet Richardson Award 2022 Recipient – Micah Wu
  • Soroptimist

    Support Anna a Ukrainian Refugee Student from Gdansk to Vancouver

    We have received a letter from President of Soroptimist in Gdansk, Poland: … over 2 million Ukrainian refugees – women and children have come to our country so we, the Soroptimists, try to do our best to help them. Our club offers support in many ways and one of them is to help Ukrainians who want to go to other countries. So far we have managed to help 2 families thanks to the Soroptimist contacts. Now I am dealing with a request from a young woman, who is hosted by one of our club members. She is a graphic designer and would like to continue her education in Canada. She…

    Comments Off on Support Anna a Ukrainian Refugee Student from Gdansk to Vancouver