Story, photos by Barbara McCormick
BOCA RATON – Thirty-one outstanding nominees were recently honored at the 37th Annual Women of Distinction Breakfast, hosted by Soroptimist International of Boca Raton/Deerfield Beach.
Rosemary & Ben Krieger, sponsors
Early risers, who numbered almost 300, were treated to a breakfast buffet prepared by the culinary staff at the Boca West Country Club. Soroptimist members joined guests in applauding the accomplishments of the nominees, who value the mission of Soroptimist International: to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and worldwide.
Breakfast co-chairs were Kim Champion and Mariela Montgomery. Community activist Kathy Adkins served as honorary chairwoman. Connie Desko, past governor, gave an interesting overview of Soroptimist International.
Emily Lilly, mistress of ceremonies, read a brief bio of each nominee while Club President Lorry Herdeen presented each one with a bouquet of yellow roses and a plaque of recognition. Photo portraits of the nominees, together with additional photos taken at the awards reception, were shown on a large screen.
The six winning finalists included the following nominees and their categories: Health – Deyse Norwitz; Non-Profits – Diana Sowers; Education – Mary Dent-Maher & Blanch Girtman; Professional – Dana Lee Csutoros and Volunteers – Lisa Murphy. Rosemary Krieger was awarded the Soroptimist Lifetime Honorary Membership Award.
Kathy Adkins expressed the honor and pleasure of serving as honorary chair for the 2010 breakfast, and congratulated Soroptimist Club members on their recent 50th Anniversary. “Our community is very fortunate to be the beneficiary of your good works over the past five decades,” she concluded.
Kudos were given to club members from City Hall by Mayor Susan Whelchel, proclaiming October 13 as Soroptimist Day in Boca Raton.
In addition, recognition was given to 12 students from St. Jude Catholic School, under the direction of Marie Leible, who arrived at dawn to help with preparations and deliver raffle prizes to the winning bidders.
Platinum sponsors, Dr. Marta Rendon and Dr. Patricia Rooney, spoke briefly about what an honor it is to be involved with Soroptimists, describing members and nominees as “All beautiful beyond measure.”
Generous gold level sponsors included the following: Babione Funeral Homes-Helen Babione, Debbie-Rand Memorial Service League, Kathy and Paul Adkins, Pat Thomas, Rosemary and Ben Krieger, Matrix Home Care, Schmidt Family Foundation, Mike and Elizabeth Wilsman-Publix Super Market Charities, Margarita Abrishambi-Vive Magazine.
Herdeen thanked all who contributed their time, talent, raffle prizes, in-kind donations and generous financial support, which will be used to support community programs primarily benefiting women and children.
For membership information and activities, please visit the Club’s website: www.soroptimist4women.org