Soroptimist Canton Stark County

Soroptimist Canton/Stark County

Stirring the FireImproving the Lives of Women and Girlscoming april 6, 2012featuring the photography of phil borges

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STIRRING THE FIRE

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1.3.12 Monthly Meeting4.6.12Stirring the Fire Exhibit at Translations Art Gallery4.27.12Spring Conference
Soroptimists Stirring the FireOur club is bringing the photography exhibit, Stirring the Fire: A Global Movement to Empower Women and Girls, to Translations Art Gallery in Canton from April 6 May 27, 2012. In conjunction to sponsoring the exhibit, we are organizing educational activities and outreach through partnerships with the Domestic Violence Project, Inc., the Rape Crisis Center, and local universities. Although emphasis will be placed on local initiatives, the impact will resonate throughout NE Ohio and the Soroptimist International Midwestern Region (SIMWR). Our club has the support of the SIMWR Board to highlight this project during the 2012 Spring Conference in Canton, OH, which our club is hosting at the McKinley Grand hotel in downtown. Stirring the Fire Exhibit themes include: education, economic security, health, leadership, human trafficking and violence against women. The core exhibit themes and educational activities are aligned with the Soroptimist mission. More information to come.For more information about the exhibition and photographer, Phillip Borges, visit www.stirringthefire.org For more information on Rachel Storm visit www.fourwallsandaroof.orgFor more information on Rachel Cook visit www.microlendingfilm.comFurnishing a Fresh StartBuilding upon the success of our 2008 Soroptimist Club Grant project, we cultivated our relationship with the Domestic Violence Project, Inc. (DVPI) of Canton through continuation of Furnishing a Fresh Start during 2010-2011. This project was designed to ease the transition made by women and their families from the shelter into homes of their own. By providing Kmart vouchers to women who provided proof of independent residency after leaving the shelter, our club helped give them confidence they need to begin anew. In addition to issuing vouchers, our Soroptimist club distributed 11 twin beds with mattresses, bedding and pillows to women leaving the shelter. We also purchased 4 pack n' plays for use at the shelter, as the DVPI stressed a need for these. Even Start book donationsHuman Trafficking AwarenessSoroptimist International of the Americas, working to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world, examines the issue of sex trafficking of women and girls in white papers (available on www.soroptimist.org) and through numerous other awareness initiatives. Sex trafficking involves coercion and fraud, with women and girls forced into sex work within their own country or transported to other countries. Although poverty is a common bond among nearly all trafficking victims, it is gender inequality that fuels sex trafficking. The demand of men to pay for sex with women and girls needs to be addressed before this type of slavery will ever end. Trafficking is a complex global issue. Locally, Soroptimist has worked with the Massillon Salvation Army, the Stark County Prosecutors Office and the Stark County Coalition Against Human Trafficking to educate our community. stirringthefire.org.
Welcome to Soroptimist Canton/Stark County!We're known for: Collecting and donating books to the Even Start and Ohio Reads Programs. Women of Distinction, Womens Opportunity, Violet Richardson and Virginia Wagner awards. Auction/Brunch fundraiser in the fall. Constructing Care Packages for the Rape Crisis Center. Montly donations to the Domestic Violence Project, Inc. Creating awareness of Human Trafficking in an effort to Stop Trafficking.
ABOUT US

2012 Ruby Award Winner

Awards

2012 Woman of Distinction

Women's Opportunity Award Deadline: December 15, 2011This award is Soroptimists signature program, and was established to assist women with primary financial responsibility for their families to obtain the skills training and education necessary to improve their employment status and standard of living for themselves and their family. Women's Opportunity Award ApplicationVirginia Wagner AwardDeadline: January 15, 2012Applicants must reside in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, or Wisconsin.The Midwestern Region's Virginia M. Wagner Award honors the effort and scholarship of a woman who is attending a college or university to earn a bachelors, masters, or doctoral degree. First established in 1972, the award was renamed in 2004 to honor Dr. Virginia M. Wagner (Midwestern Region Governor 1982-1984) to commemorate her interest in higher education for women.Virginia Wagner Award ApplicationViolet Richardson AwardDeadline: December 1, 2011The Soroptimist Violet Richardson Award is a recognition program for young women ages 14-17 engaged in volunteer action within their communities or schools. The award is given to young women whose activities make the community and world a better place.Violet Richardson Award Application

Kathy Fernandez Executive Director, North Canton Heritage SocietyKathy Fernandez has been Executive Director with the North Canton Heritage Society since 2006. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations and supervising programs, she manages volunteers and interns, plans and prepares exhibitions, and writes grants for the organization. Kathy is closely involved in the world of non-profits, historical societies and museums. She served as site manager for the Ohio Historical Societys Zoar Village and Fort Laurens State Memorials from 1989-2004, and was curator for the Zoar site prior to that. She has authored a number of publications, and will be accepting an award in October from the Ohio Historical Societys Local History Alliance for the Heritage Societys production of a Jacob Gaskins play.
Melissa PearceExecutive Director/ CEO, Domestic Violence Project, Inc.Melissa Pearce came to Domestic Violence Project, Inc. in the fall of 2008, having worked in the victim services field for five years. Since coming to DVPI, Melissa has successfully established a transitional housing program, strengthening the continuum of care for victims of domestic violence. Besides delivering services to victims of domestic violence, DVPIs mission embraces awareness and prevention of violence against women while influencing social norm changes locally, on the state level and beyond. Drawn to prevention work, Melissa became involved in the Ohio Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Consortium, now serving as Co-chairman. The Consortium represents the implementation team for a statewide strategic plan to prevent partner violence, with a concentration on influencing youth, young adults and men. She is an active member of Stark County Committee Against Human Trafficking which raises awareness of understanding trafficking and working to eradicate it.Melissa has over 20 years experience in non-profit management with a focus on marketing, development, retail operations, corporate communications and media relations. She also has worked in economic redevelopment and as an editor-photographer for a daily newspaper.
SERVICES

Rachel posing with our attendance award

Laura and Renee at Live Auction

Karen, Brandi and Rachel.jpg

2011

Fun Soroptimist Group Photo 2011

FSO student

Director Vicky installing Jill as President

Canton Stark County members with numerous awards presented at district meeting

Brandi, Alex and Jill at Healthy Woman

Girls on the Run

Alex and Mary

Bev at the basket raffle

Chris and Kayla Muller

Jill and Family

Fashion Students from Kent St

Ladies at the welcome table

President Jill at the Auction

SueAnn at the Auction

TESTIMONIALS

1.HISTORY

3.MEMBERSHIP
History of Soroptimist International of Canton/Stark CountySoroptimist International, Inc., is a worldwide organization of classified service clubs, which unites outstanding professional and executive business women in activities that make a difference in the lives of women and girls. In cooperation with other organizations, Soroptimists seek to advance international understanding, goodwill, and peace.The name Soroptimist was derived from Latin and is translated as best of women, best for women.The first Soroptimist club was formed in Oakland, CA, in 1921. Now about 95,000 Soroptimists in more than 120 countries and territories contribute their time and financial support to community-based projects benefiting women and girls.Soroptimist International of Canton-Stark County was chartered on June 9, 1941 (in the midst of WWII), by Soroptimist International of Akron, which also chartered a Soroptimist Club in Cleveland. Cleveland lost its charter in 1991; Akron in 2003. Dr. Marie Keener, our lone surviving charter member, was among the more than two dozen business and professional women from the greater Canton area that met at the Hotel Onesto in Canton for the chartering ceremony.The Canton club, throughout the years, has twice sponsored Venture clubs for young women. In the early years the club gave no-interest loans to qualified nursing students. This loan program was later expanded to include the entire health field.The club also has participated in the Soroptimist Federation of the Americas identifying projects: currently the Womens Opportunity Award and the Violet Richardson Award and, previously, the Youth Forum/Seminar and Youth Citizenship Award. They also participate in the Midwestern Region project, the Virginia Wagner Award.Club members have also participated in the Federations project to end Domestic Violence and, more recently, the Stop Trafficking project. Along with the club donations to and support of the area Domestic Violence Shelter, in the past we have adopted Shelter families moving into a community environment. Other projects have included teddy bears and backpacks for Foster Children in transition and (for more than a dozen years) personal care packages for rape crisis victims.The club also has honored outstanding women (both from the community and club) since the late 1970s.Club members have faithfully attended conventions, regional conferences, and district meetings. Several club members have served on the regional board and in various district leadership capacities. Canton has hosted Spring Conferences and District meetings in the past.The club currently has a Friendship Link in Onomichi, Japan. In the 1980s, the Hornsby, Australia club was also a Friendship Link for our Canton club.(History by Patricia Dugan)
Soroptimists are leaders in their communities who believe in making the world a better place for women and girls. They are volunteers who, in addition to the intangible rewards such as friendship and personal fulfillment, have the opportunity to participate in life-changing programs. Soroptimist members are women who work, are recently retired, or are embarking on a new career. There are over 95,000 Soroptimists in 120 countries around the world.

2.LEADERSHIP
Jill Malusky, Presidentjmalusky_massillonmuseum.orgAlexandra Nicholis Coon,Past PresidentRachel Yost, President- ElectChristine Fowler Shearer,Vice PresidentShirley E. Howes, TreasurerKaren Loutzenheiser Zutali, SecretarySoroptimist International www.soroptimist.org Soroptimist International Midwestern Region www.simwr.orgSoroptimist PledgeI pledge allegiance to Soroptimism and to the ideals for which it stands:The Sincerity of Friendship The Joy of Achievement The Dignity of Service The Integrity of Profession The Love of CountryI will put forth my greatest effort to promote, uphold and defend these ideals for a larger fellowship in home, in society, in business- for Country and for God.

CONTACT

CONTACT US.

OUR LOCATION.

E-MAIL: sicanton.starkcounty_soroptimist.net

webmaster - bestforwomencanton_gmail.com

PO Box 2336

North Canton, OH 44720

Links

Women's Opportunity Award

Violet Richardson Award

Virginia Wagner Award

2011VioletRichardsonAwardApplication-1.pdf

VWA Application 2011-2012-1.doc

WOAReferenceForm-Writeable.pdf

2011WomensOpportunityAwardApplication-1.pdf

VW Application Notice_2012-1.doc

Soroptimist
Soroptimist Midwestern Region
Rachel Cook
Translations Art Gallery
Stirring the Fire
Rachel Storm

NEWSLETTER

Newsletters

Soroptalk0811.pdf

Soroptalk0911.pdf

Soroptalk10-11.pdf

Soroptalk1111 (1).pdf

Soroptalk0112.pdf

Soroptalk1211.pdf

CONFERENCE

Spring Conference Changing Faces
Changing Faces Spring Conference April 27 - 29, will be held at the McKinley Grand in Canton. With room rates of only $85/night! Please use the special rate code: "SORO". One free parking pass per room. Contact the McKinley Grand at 330.454.5000. Please reserve your rooms by April 7th. The conference will feature the Stirring the Fire gallery exhibition by photographer, Phil Borges, Friday night presentation by Beth Holloway, and a Mardi Gras Party Saturday night!Be sure to book early to reserve your spot!While in Canton be sure to check out the National First Ladies Library, Anderson Creative, Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the Canton Museum of Art.More information coming soon!

STIRRING THE FIRE

STIRRING THE FIRE, PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT EMPOWERS WOMEN
Soroptimist International of Canton/Stark County is hosting Phil Borges exhibit, Stirring the Fire: a global movement to empower women and girls, at Anderson Creative on Cleveland Avenue in downtown Canton. The photography serves as a call to action and celebration of the women and girlsmostly in developing countrieswho have broken through barriers of tradition and oppression to become catalysts for change in their communities. Their stories shed light on specific gender issues worldwide while revealing practical pathways for women and girls to achieve gender equality.Empowering women has been found to be the most effective strategy for addressing poverty and building stability in the developing world. In July 2010, the UN showed its support of this concept by creating the first UN entity dedicated exclusively to gender equality and womens empowerment. This achievement only further legitimizes a growing conviction that the worlds women deserve the worlds attention, and investing in women is a key to solving some of the greatest global challenges we face.Partnering with: Domestic Violence Project, Inc., Walsh University, Red Cross Rape Crisis Services, and several other organizations, artists, and individuals, the exhibition will inspire complementary programming in the forms of lectures, workshops, similar-themed exhibitions, and the premiere of Microlending Film by Canton native, Rachel Cook. The exhibit will open to the public on April 6, 2012, and remain on view through May 26, 2012.

Rachel Cook

Rachel Storm