Soroptimist International of Central Alberta presented awards to six deserving women on International Women’s Day on March 8.
The Ruby Award - For Women helping Women, was presented to Halima Ali, executive director of the Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association.
The club said Ali 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.
The Violet Richardson Award was presented to Yasmin Albeny, a Grade 11 student at Lindsay Thurber High School.
The club said Albeny 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.
The club said Ly volunteers at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre’s unit 21 and is very attentive to the needs of the unit and patients. 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 High School.
The Live Your Dream Award was presented to Amy Smart, of Sylvan Lake, a single mom of two boys.
Smart is attending the University of Calgary Continuing Education professional writing certificate program, specializing in marketing and public relations.
The club said her goal is to begin a career as a copywriter/editor, to give her the freedom and flexibility to spend more time with her children, buy their dream home and create their new future.
Another Live Your Dream Award was presented to Lisa Spencer Cook, a single mother, of Red Deer. Cook is currently enrolled at Athabasca University pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, to become a counselling psychologist.
Cook said her motivation comes from her beautiful eight-year-old daughter who is autistic and has ADHD, and 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.
Another Live Your Dream Award was presented to Josey Hindbo, a single mother of two, of Caroline.
Hindbo is attending the University of Alberta for a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, to become a teacher. She said her children are her focus, her meaning, and the reason she does everything.
The club said Hindbo 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.
Award sponsors included Melody Klinck, Inspiring Virtues, and Sylvan Lake town councillor Kjeryn Dakin.
Soroptimist International of Central Alberta is part of a volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.