By Soroptimist International of Central Alberta

celebrating women

Soroptimists name winners of annual service awards

Mar 22, 2022 | 9:26 AM

On March 8, International Women’s Day, Soroptimist International of Central Alberta was very pleased to grant our awards to six deserving women in our communities.

Our Ruby Award – For Women helping Women, was presented to Halima Ali, the Executive Director of the Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association. Halima supports immigrant and refugee women and their families to overcome barriers, achieve economic security and prosperity, develop their own leadership potential and realize their dreams. This work has seen her honored as one of Red Deer’s Women of Excellence in 2009 and a Daughter of the Year in 2020 by the Canadians for a Civil Society. She is a woman who inspires and encourages other women.

The Violet Richardson Award was presented to Yasmin Albeny, a Grade 11 student at Lindsay Thurber High School. Yasmin is a kind, caring and patient student who is generous with her time to tutor classmates, helps students apply for scholarships, helps with resumes and references, and is also part of Creativity, Activity and Service at her school where they meet to discuss what they can do to make our community a better place. Her charity donation will be going to Unicef, Ukrainian Relief.

Another Violet Richardson Award was presented to Hannah Ly, a Grade 12 Student at Notre Dame High School. Hannah volunteers at the Red Deer Regional Hospital on Unit 21 and is very attentive to the needs of the unit and the patients she serves. She also volunteers at her school. Volunteering has taught her that little actions go a long way and that we can change the world for the better. Her charity donation will be going to the Pop Up Pantry at Notre Dame School.

The Live Your Dream Award was presented to Amy Smart, a single mom of 2 boys who resides in Sylvan Lake. She is attending the University of Calgary Continuing Education Professional Writing Certificate, specializing in Marketing and Public Relations. Her goal is to begin a career as a Copywriter/Editor, which will allow her the freedom and flexibility to spend more time with her children, buy their dream home and create their new future.

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Another Live Your Dream Award was presented to Lisa Spencer Cook, a single mother who resides in Red Deer. She is currently enrolled at Athabasca University pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, with the end goal of being a counselling psychologist. Her motivation comes from her beautiful 8 year old daughter who is autistic and has ADHD. She is committed to paying it forward in the community, and to work with the often misunderstood, often overlooked area of neuro diversity and mental health.

Our last Live Your Dream Award was presented to Josey Hindbo, a single mother of two who resides in Caroline. Josey is attending the University of Alberta for a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, in hopes of having a long successful career as a teacher. She states her children are her focus, her meaning, and the reason she does everything. She is a great inspiration to provide hope for others that with a strong faith and amazing support system, making a difference in your community and for others can always be a possibility. (no picture available)

The club would like to thank the sponsors of three of the awards, Melody Klinck and Inspiring Virtues, and Councillor Kjeryn Dakin, Sylvan Lake.

(Soroptimist International of Central Alberta media release)