Empowering Women & Girls
Soroptimist International of Coronado (SIC) Annual Legend’s Luncheon began sixteen years ago. This signature event raises funds to enhance the lives of women and girls worldwide. In addition to paying tribute to this year’s Legend, Dr. Susan Stone, the luncheon will highlight the positive work that SIC is doing to assist victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, improve health care and provide education for women and girls.
What was originally a Soroptimist Fashion Show became an annual luncheon, where local SIC members now bring together over250 people to help raise money through donations and a silent and live auction. This is the singular fund raising event for SIC, and the money raised goes to Soroptimist awards and scholarships. These grants include the “Live Your Dream Award” for women who are the primary source of support for their family and are trying to further their education or improve their employment prospects; Southwestern College Scholarship; Monarch School Scholarship; the Bario Logan College Institute Scholarship; and the Coronado High School Scholarship. In addition, grants are given to young women ages 14-15 and 16-18 who have given their time to help others in their community. And it doesn’t stop with the award presentation; members work to mentor the recipients and support them going forward. Non-profit organizations are also beneficiaries of grants. These include Dress for Success, Reading Legacies, Home Start, Young Women With Disabilities, the Casa Hogar Sion Orphanage in Tijuana, Camp Able, Outside the Lens, and several other organizations working to support the fight against domestic violence and human trafficking.Over the past several years,SIChas given hundreds of thousands of dollars to women, girls, and organizations in need of support.
This year SIC is partnering with Point Loma Nazarene University Center for Justice and Reconciliation, and other Soroptimist clubs, to support the “kNOw MORE” Human Trafficking Awareness curriculum for high school students in Coronado and around San Diego County. Part of the District Attorney’s newly announced San Diego Trafficking Prevention Collective, this unique program’s interactive drama teaches students to recognize the subtle signs of recruitment and how to seek help.
Since the founding of the organization in 1921, women have persevered and made progress, but thereremain many challenges for both women and girls,including poverty, domestic violence, human trafficking, illiteracy, harassment and discrimination.Soroptimist International plans to continue to take those challenges on and, as their mission states, “Improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.”
The Soroptimist International of Coronado’s 16th Annual Legends Luncheonwill be held on Saturday,May 4th at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort and Spa. Since the Luncheons began, SIC has honored women in the community as Legends each year. These women embody the mission of Soroptimist either through their careers or volunteer service. This year SIC ishonoring, Dr. Susan Stone, Chief Executive Officer of Sharp Coronado Hospital and Senior Vice President Sharp HealthCare Hospital Laboratory services. Sharp Coronado Hospital is a 181-bed hospital specializing in total joint replacements and advanced liver care. Dr. Stone joined Sharp HealthCare in 1986 quickly advancing from the role of nursing assistant to holding numerous leadership positions including Clinical Nurse Specialist, Director of Women’s and Children’s Services and Chief Nursing Officer for two of Sharp’s seven hospitals. Throughout her career Dr. Stone’s innovative and visionary leadership focused on transforming the healthcare experience for the patient and their family.
This year’s key note speaker will be Susan Munsey. Susan is the founder of GenerateHope, a non-profit organization that helps women and girls cope with the trauma they’ve experienced as victims of human trafficking. Susan, a trafficking survivor, is one of CNN’s Top 10 Heroes of the Year.
For more information to purchase tickets call (619) 435-4201 or go to www.coronadosoroptimist.org.
