Soroptimist International of Oakdale recently hosted a charter party for Soroptimist International City of Riverbank. The Riverbank club marks the 32nd and newest club in the Soroptimist Sierra Pacific Region. Charter members include Susana Andalon, Kristal Austin, Penny Bartholomew, Stacy Bauer, Emily Blevins, Barbara Brown, Suzanne Dean, Ashley Edwards, Christine Facella, Holli Fox, Hope Galvez, Jessica Garcia, Laura Granger, Rachel Hernandez, Jill Hodge, Vanessa Lopez, Laura Manriquez, Mariana Perez, Erika Ramos, Bertha Reyes, Martha Reyes, Robin Torres, Maria Vigil, and Araseli Zamora.
On hand to officially pin the charter members were Sierra Pacific Region Governor Charlie Rodgers, Governor-Elect Judi Sanderlin, Membership Chair Gail Dekreon, and District II Director Charlotte Metcalfe.
In addition, the club’s inaugural Board Officers were installed with a fun football theme. The Board members for the 2023-2024 club year are President Christine Facella, President-Elect Suzanne Dean, Vice President Penny Bartholomew, Public Relations/Social Media Officer Vanessa Lopez, Secretary Jill Hodge, Treasurer Emily Blevins, Assistant Treasurer Stacy Bauer, Directors Laura Granger and Barbara Brown, and Delegate Susana Andalon.
Also on hand to celebrate the occasion were Sierra Pacific Region Past Governors Gail Dekreon, Tana Elizondo, Barbara Giambastini, Pat Maisetti, and Pam Taylor, Oakdale Soroptimist President Pam Benziger, and members from Oakdale and other Soroptimist clubs within the Region.
Soroptimist International City of Riverbank and Soroptimist International of Oakdale are part of a non-profit global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. The organization provides annual programs such as Live Your Dream cash grants for women and Dream It, Be It Career Support for high school girls to assist women and girls in their communities. For information about Soroptimist International City of Riverbank, visit them on Instagram at cityofriverbank_soroptimist. For more information about Soroptimist International of Oakdale, visit their website www.oakdalesoroptimist.org, the Oakdale Soroptimist Facebook page, and soroptimist_of_oakdale Instagram.
