Violet Richardson Award
This is a program conducted by Founder Region. As a volunteer service organization, Soroptimist believes that by acknowledging young women's volunteer involvement now, they will grow up to be vital active members of the community.
The Violet Richardson Award honors young women between the ages of 14 and 18 for volunteer action such as fighting drugs, crime and violence, cleaning up the environment and working to end discrimination and poverty.
The award is named after Violet Richardson, the president of the first Soroptimist club in Alameda County in 1921. Richardson believed in personal responsibility and the motto, “It's what you do that counts.” She lived her life accordingly, as an active member in her community who was committed to creating opportunities for girls and young women. Soroptimist established this award to honor the memory of this unique woman and her dedication to volunteer action.
The Violet Richardson Award program begins at the local Soroptimist club level, where the type of award varies from a certificate and recognition at a club meeting or special event, to a monetary gift to the young woman and/or her charity. Applications to clubs should be received by December 15 of each year. Clubs should submit their winning applicant's application, media consent form and transmittal form to their district representative by February 1 of each year. Each district will have one Violet Richardson Award winner and she will be recognized and receive her award at our annual conference.
District Representative contact information is available in the Founder Region roster.
For more information, please contact Region Program Chair
Jackie DeVries at soroptimistjackiedv@gmail.com
The award is named after Violet Richardson, the president of the first Soroptimist club in Alameda County in 1921. Richardson believed in personal responsibility and the motto, “It's what you do that counts.” She lived her life accordingly, as an active member in her community who was committed to creating opportunities for girls and young women. Soroptimist established this award to honor the memory of this unique woman and her dedication to volunteer action.
The Violet Richardson Award program begins at the local Soroptimist club level, where the type of award varies from a certificate and recognition at a club meeting or special event, to a monetary gift to the young woman and/or her charity. Applications to clubs should be received by December 15 of each year. Clubs should submit their winning applicant's application, media consent form and transmittal form to their district representative by February 1 of each year. Each district will have one Violet Richardson Award winner and she will be recognized and receive her award at our annual conference.
District Representative contact information is available in the Founder Region roster.
For more information, please contact Region Program Chair
Jackie DeVries at soroptimistjackiedv@gmail.com
Violet Richardson, first President of the first Soroptimist club.
Violet's Motto: "It is What you Do that Counts"
For Applicants
Previous winners of the award are also ineligible. Soroptimist members, SIA employees and their immediate families are not eligible for any Soroptimist monetary award available to the public. Immediate family is defined to include spouse/partner, parents, siblings, children and grandchildren by adoption, blood or marriage.
Who is the Violet Richardson Award Honoree?
• A young woman who is caring, compassionate, creative and most of all committed to making the world a better place.
• A young woman who has demonstrated leadership and initiative in both identifying a problem and in trying to solve it. Taking a first step in making a difference in the world shows both leadership and initiative.
• A young woman who has had significant and noteworthy accomplishments as a volunteer.
Eligibility
• Applicants must be young women 14 to 18 years of age.
• Applicants must be engaged in volunteer activity.
FOR APPLICANTS
Applications only accepted for clubs within Founder Region, which include Northern California, Hawaii, Guam & the Mariana Islands Not all clubs in our region participate in the Violet Richardson Program. Contact a club in your community first before completing your application and to obtain submission information..
DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS TO FOUNDER REGION DIRECTLY.
Interested Applicants should apply with these 2 forms:
Violet Richardson Award Application Form
Violet Richardson Award Media Consent Form
Deadline for application submission to
clubs is December 15 of each year.
For Clubs
Clubs can encourage the young women volunteers in their communities by recognizing and honoring them for their community service. They volunteer their time and energy to make our world a better place. They are our future leaders and our future Soroptimists. They deserve our support.
PDF Version of the VRA Forms.
Violet Richardson Award Club Transmittal Form
Violet Richardson Award Club Instructions
Violet Richardson Award FAQs
Violet Richardson Poster
Violet Richardson Award Certificate
Violet Richardson Award Application Form
Violet Richardson Award Media Consent Form
*Tip: Click on "Open With Different Viewer" or download to use fillable form.
VRA Graphic
Violet Richardson Award Club Transmittal Form
Violet Richardson Award Club Instructions
Violet Richardson Award FAQs
Violet Richardson Poster
Violet Richardson Award Certificate
Violet Richardson Award Application Form
Violet Richardson Award Media Consent Form
*Tip: Click on "Open With Different Viewer" or download to use fillable form.
VRA Graphic