Virtual Conference Program
Welcome to the Virtual Conference Program.
THURSDAY
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Legislative Advocacy Presentation
Linda Witong, Chair
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY COMMITTE
Linda Witong, Chair
Phyllis Gordon
Madalienne Peters
Rachel Farac
Laura Middlemiss
Angie Haramoto
Linda Witong, Chair
Phyllis Gordon
Madalienne Peters
Rachel Farac
Laura Middlemiss
Angie Haramoto
“We’ve come a long way...but nearly not far enough!”
Topics include: Equality in the Workplace, Pay Equity, Inequity of Women of Color, Title IX
OUR PRESENTERS
Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, California State Senate
Surina Khan, CEO Women's Foundation California
Honorable Sandra A. Simms, State of Hawaii
Freda Powell, Amarillo, TX City Council Member
Surina Khan, CEO Women's Foundation California
Honorable Sandra A. Simms, State of Hawaii
Freda Powell, Amarillo, TX City Council Member
Click on the arrow to view speaker bios.
Hannah-Beth Jackson
Former State Senator of California
Former Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson recently completed her 14 year legislative career, having represented the Santa Barbara Ventura County areas. She has recently announced the establishment of her consulting practice which will focus on continuing the policy efforts and accomplishments of her work in the California State Senate. During her legislative career, Jackson served as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and received national recognition as a champion for women’s equality. She authored the California Fair Pay Act, landmark legislation that strengthens the state’s equal pay law, and Senate Bill 826, the first law in the nation that requires publicly-held corporations to include women on their board of directors. She is a joint author of legislation that created the nation’s first affirmative consent standard (“Yes Means Yes”) for the state’s college and university campuses. In response to the #MeToo movement, she authored significant legislation to prevent and respond to sexual harassment. Jackson also authored legislation to ensure victim-centered processes for responding to sexual harassment and assault on college campuses. In addition, she is the author of laws that strengthened and expanded California’s Paid Family Leave program and protect survivors of domestic violence.
To learn more, visit www.hbjackson.com.
To learn more, visit www.hbjackson.com.
Surina Khan
CEO Women's Foundation California
Surina first became involved with WFC as a volunteer in 2004. Now, as CEO Surina oversees the Foundation’s strategic direction which is focused on building community-based power through investing in effective community-based organizations, training community leaders in policy advocacy, connecting key partners, and mobilizing significant financial resources. Surina has worked at the Ford Foundation where she designed and launched Ford’s LGBT Rights Initiative. She is a member of the Board of Voices for Progress, CalNonprofits, the American LGBTQ Museum, La Cocina, a founding Advisor for the Closing the Women’s Wealth Gap Initiative, and a member of the Public Policy Committee for Northern California Grantmakers. Surina enjoys cooking, swimming, photography and resides in San Francisco, Irvine, and Sea Ranch with her partner.
Honorable Sandra A. Simms
District Court of Hawaii
Honorable Sandra A. Simms is a member of SI/Waikiki Foundation, Inc. She graduated from Hyde Park High School before attending and graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago with her B.A. degree in political science and sociology. Simms later obtained her J.D. degree from DePaul University College of Law in 1978. In 1991, Simms became the first African American female judge in Hawaii upon her appointment to the District Court of the First Circuit. Three years later, she was appointed Circuit Court Judge for the First Judicial Circuit by Governor John David Waiheʻe, III. Simms retired as a circuit court judge in 2004.
Freda Powell
Amarillo City Council Member
Freda Powell became the first African American woman elected to the Amarillo City Council in 2017. She served as Mayor Pro Tem from June 2019 to June 2020. She currently is serving her second term in Place 2 and is a candidate for re-election to a third term in May 2021. Freda Powell is a member of the Amarillo Women’s Network, Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a silver life member of the Amarillo Branch NAACP and a life member of Light of Hope.
Powell is a former purchasing representative for LINN Energy, headquartered in Houston, Texas. She is currently the office manager for Warford Mortuary. Powell received the Amarillo Opera Dee Lifetime Volunteer Award in 2009, and she was named the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Women’s Council Businesswoman of the Year in December 2011. Additional awards include the Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains’ Women of Distinction - Take Action Award in 2013; Church Women United Humanitarian Award in 2013; the 7th Annual Louise Daniel Women’s History Lecture and Luncheon Recognizing Texas Panhandle Women in Banking (for service to Access Community Credit Union Board) in 2016; Woman of Leadership 2017 Award; and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority 2020 Woman of the Year, to name a few.
Powell is a former purchasing representative for LINN Energy, headquartered in Houston, Texas. She is currently the office manager for Warford Mortuary. Powell received the Amarillo Opera Dee Lifetime Volunteer Award in 2009, and she was named the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Women’s Council Businesswoman of the Year in December 2011. Additional awards include the Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains’ Women of Distinction - Take Action Award in 2013; Church Women United Humanitarian Award in 2013; the 7th Annual Louise Daniel Women’s History Lecture and Luncheon Recognizing Texas Panhandle Women in Banking (for service to Access Community Credit Union Board) in 2016; Woman of Leadership 2017 Award; and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority 2020 Woman of the Year, to name a few.
NAME
Emily Barnes
UC Berkeley
Environmental Engineering
NAME
Erica Molnar Bufanda
University of Hawaii, Manoa
- Astronomy
NAME
Andrea Johnson
California State University, East Bay
- Educational Leadership
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Tamara Kerzhner -
UC Berkeley
City & Regional Planning (Currently in Nairobi)
NAME
Ashley McGuigan
University of Hawaii, Manoa
Botany
NAME
Kendra Nip
University of Hawaii, Manoa
Educational Psychology
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Caitlin Williams
University of Hawaii, Manoa
Tropical Medicine & Medical Microbiology
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Bernadette Zermeno
Mills College
Educational Leadership
SATURDAY
10:00am - 11:30am
Keynote Speaker
Sharon Fisher, Soroptimist International President
President Sharon Fisher’s "The Road to Equality" President’s Appeal – strategically focuses on taking Action and Advocating on topics affecting women and girls, including Child Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, Domestic Violence, Rights of Older Women, Migration, and Human Trafficking. The Appeal incorporates a mix of projects, alongside information, and education, to build awareness and engage Soroptimists and friends through discussion. A recent addition to the programme are the SI Voices Webinars, where you can hear from a range of experts and grassroots activists on the key subjects. Through access to tools, facts and stories, we believe that each of us will be able to raise our capacity to be a global voice for women on our journey towards achieving gender equality. The topics and pages below will develop and expand over time, so please do revisit this page regularly.
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Founder Region & Fellowship Business Meeting
Governor Kris and President Cheryl
FOUNDER REGION MEETING AGENDA
Inspiration
Founder Region Voting Results
Laurel Society Honors & Recognition
New Member Sponsor Drawing
Soroptimists Celebrating Success Awards
Live Your Dream Incentive Drawing
Q&A Pillar Breakout Sessions
Inspiration
Founder Region Voting Results
Laurel Society Honors & Recognition
New Member Sponsor Drawing
Soroptimists Celebrating Success Awards
Live Your Dream Incentive Drawing
Q&A Pillar Breakout Sessions
FELLOWSHIP MEETING AGENDA
Treasurer's Report
Secretaries Report
Fellowship Bylaws Amendment Results
President's Report
Raffle Winners Announced
Treasurer's Report
Secretaries Report
Fellowship Bylaws Amendment Results
President's Report
Raffle Winners Announced
A Founder Region Soroptimist who wishes to review the Founder Region Fellowship Statement of Activity and/or Statement of Financial Position for the period July 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021, may contact Fellowship Treasurer Teresa Karlson at Teresa@ledgersteam.com to make that request.
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Question & Answer with SIA Official Visitor
Frieda Powell
Visit with our Official Visitor, SIA Director Freda Powell, and hear how SIA is supporting our clubs. Bring your questions about any of the federation sponsored programs and pillars of success. Share your club successes during this club year and provide feedback on the virtual toolkit resources provided by SIA during the pandemic.
Engage in productive conversation about SIA's Next Big Goal and plans for the next 100 years.
Engage in productive conversation about SIA's Next Big Goal and plans for the next 100 years.
6:00pm - 7:00pm Social Hour 7:00pm-9:00pm Presentation
100 Year Anniversary Celebration
Governor Kris and the Founder Region Board
Program
- Special greetings from our Past Governors
- Stroll down memory lane over the past 10 decades
- Untold stories about Violet Richardson Ward
- Special Presentation by SIA - "“Parallel Paths: Two Roads Leading to Soroptimist International”.
Soroptimist Blue...Berry Spritz Cocktail
Ingredients:
Champagne or sparkling water
Lemon juice or lemonade
Fresh Blueberries
Mix the ingredients above to your desired taste and join your fellow Soroptimist members in a toast to our next 100 years!
Champagne or sparkling water
Lemon juice or lemonade
Fresh Blueberries
Mix the ingredients above to your desired taste and join your fellow Soroptimist members in a toast to our next 100 years!
Lisa Mangiafico
SIA’s Associate Director of Records and
Curator of SIA Archives
SIA’s Associate Director of Records and
Curator of SIA Archives
SUNDAY
11:00am - 1:00pm
Memorial Service & Region Award Program
Governor Kris and Governor-elect Vicki
Celebration of Service
Our beloved members passed too soon, but their legacy of service to
Soroptimist will live on in the women and girls they touched.
Soroptimist will live on in the women and girls they touched.
Click on the arrow to view.
Mary Waldkirch
Soroptimist International of Arcata
47 Year Member
Janis McNair
Soroptimist International of Richmond
16 Year Member
Vina Marie Simmons
Soroptimist International of Eureka
47 Year Member
Helene Wood
Soroptimist International of El Cerrito
2 Year Member
Helen Fernandez
Soroptimist International of Sonoma Valley
60 Year Member
Sharon Valenti
Soroptimist International of Fort Bragg
16 Year Member
Past Fellowship Director
Lorraine Komor
Soroptimist International of Santa Rosa
45 Year Member
Past Governor 1990-1992
Carolyn Small
Soroptimist International of Santa Rosa
35 Year Member
Live Your Dream Award Recipients
District I - Asia Cole
District II - Amara Jones
District III - Jessica McAllister
District IV - Lindsay McCovey
District V - Tiah Davidson
Click on the arrow to view recipients.
Asia Cole
District I - SI/Fremont
Unitek College - Nursing
Amara Jones
District II - SI/Pittsburg
Diablo Vista College - Nursing
Jessica McAllister
District III - SI/Napa
Napa Valley College - Nursing
Lindsay McCovey
District IV - SI/Humboldt Bay
College of the Redwoods - Psychology
Tiah Davidson
District V - SI/Central Oahu
University of Hawaii, Manoa - Nutrition
Violet Richardson Award Recipients
District I - Raishma Anwar
District II - Malia Yancey
District III - Beza Mesfin
District IV - Klayre Barres
District V - Katrina Kuo
Click on the arrow to view recipients.
Raishma Anwar
District I
Soroptimist International of 24-68 (Walnut Creek)
Malia Yancey
District II
Soroptimist International of The Delta
Beza Mesfin
District III
Soroptimist International of Napa
Klayre Barres
District IV
Soroptimist International of Eureka
Katrina Kuo
District V
Soroptimist International of Honolulu
Barbara Stevenson "S" Club Award Recipient
Rachel Nelson
Vacaville Christian High School "S" Club
Sponsored by Soroptimist International of Vacaville
2020 Girls State Delegate
Student Body President
National Honor Society
Varsity Swim Team
Co-Concertmaster Violinist
Student Body President
National Honor Society
Varsity Swim Team
Co-Concertmaster Violinist
