Local women honored by Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The members of Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe honored two local women on Wednesday during their annual Live Your Dream and Ruby Award luncheon.

The Soroptimist Ruby Award was created in honor of the first Soroptimist Federation President, Ruby Lee Minar. The gemstone ruby is associated with wisdom, importance, vitality, strength, power, and love; words that embody the award recipient today. A South Lake Tahoe woman is recognized for her contribution to the community, and for improving the lives of others. Kristi Bell was chosen for her contributions to local children through Toys for Tots. She took on the volunteer job of coordinating the South Lake Tahoe toy drive so every child in South Lake Tahoe can have toys for Christmas. She will start-up efforts for Christmas 2022 this fall.

The Live Your Dream Award (LYD) assists women who provide the primary source of financial support to their families by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employment opportunities. This is a signature program for Soroptimists worldwide, and this happens to be the 50th anniversary of this global program. Each year more than $2.8 million in education grants are awarded to more than 1800 women. Since 1972 the LYD awards have supported more than 35,000 women in achieving their goals and making their dreams possible.

Mercedes Walker was chosen to win the LYD award for moving to South Lake Tahoe to start over with her 3-year-old daughter while still working and going to Lake Tahoe Community College. Since she was a little girl she wanted to be a lawyer, and that is still her goal. She was presented with a $2,000 check to go towards living or education expenses. Mercedes now moves on to the regional, national, and international levels for further possible recognition.

For more information on Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe, visit their website at https://www.sislt.org/.