LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Women and girls have special challenges and needs that often go unmet, and many with such challenges live right here in Lake County.

If you are a woman who has worked to improve the lives of women and girls through your professional and/or volunteer work, you are a candidate for The Ruby Award.

Soroptimist International of Clear Lake is looking for applicants for this annual award that gives the recipient a cash award to be donated to her favorite Lake County charity.

The Soroptimist Ruby Award Women Helping Women recognizes and honors the first federation president, Ruby Lee Minar.

A ruby is also a deep red gemstone associated  with wisdom, importance, vitality, strength, vivacity, power and love: all words embodying the strong and compassionate women who are our award recipients.

The Soroptimist Ruby Award honors women who have worked to improve the lives of women and girls through their professional and/or volunteer work.
             
Many Lake County women work in various capacities to meet those special need through their personal or professional influence to help other women or girls.

Past activists worked for health services to benefit low-income women, another lobbied for child care, others volunteered at a women's shelter or mentored young women or girls.

The Ruby Award acknowledges ordinary women who have worked in  extraordinary ways to remove barriers to a better life.

Soroptimist is a cause-related philanthropic federation of clubs improving the lives of women and girls through social and economic empowerment.

If you know of a special professional or volunteer or are one yourself, please request and fill out a  nomination form and include a statement (no more than 750 words) describing the work and impact of the nominee.

Nomination forms and more information can be obtained by contacting Marty Comito at 707-994-8464.

Mail paperwork to Soroptimist International of Clear Lake, P.O. Box 7167,  Clearlake, CA, 95422; deadline for submission is Nov. 19.

Soroptimist International Clear Lake meets twice monthly, at noon at Howard’s Grotto, business meeting on the second Thursday of each month and a program meeting with a speaker on the fourth Thursday of each month. Lunch is $12 and all interested women are invited to attend and learn more about the organization.

Please contact Wanda Harris, president at 707-987-9027 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .