Positive Parenting Award Winner:
My name is Joanna Chaney. I am a mother of two kind, compassionate, intelligent, and funny sons; Kael who is 14 and Alastair who is 11. It is for my two boys that I found my life’s’ path completely altered from the typical ideals of family. I had a moment of realization that if I did not change things in my life my children would possibly grow up to believe that their fathers’ behavior towards me was acceptable, that their mother was not strong enough to have her own voice. Standing in the kitchen, my husband laughing because I had asked for help to get my oldest to not be disrespectful towards me, I realized my children deserved a life free from witnessing abuse and, just as importantly, I deserved a life free from being the target of abuse. I knew I needed to regain my self-worth, my ability to be my own person free from another’s control and the ability to financially take care of myself and my children (I was primarily a stay-at-home parent). So, I made a plan. Read more
Ruby Women Helping Women Award Winner:
Soroptimist International of Chico is proud to award Alexa Benson-Valavanis this year’s Ruby Award: Women Helping Women. Created to celebrate women who have significantly enhanced the lives of other women through professional, business and volunteer activities, Alexa is being awarded $1,000 to be donated to a woman-serving non-profit of her choice. Alexa will be honored at the March 10, 2021 award ceremony and her name advanced for another Ruby at Soroptimist Regional & Federation levels.
Professional Step Up (Betty J Boles) Award Winner:
Thank you so much for the opportunity to apply for this award! My name is Sarah Lucas, I am a 38-year-old mother of 4(only 1 at home with me) and I will graduate in May 2021 with an AS degree in Accounting from Butte College. I am a member of the Accounting Club and also participate in many activities including counseling and therapy for both myself and my child, managing a new chronic illness, and other self-care and healing groups. I am very excited to start my new life and this award will enable me to take part in many professional organizations.
