Scholarship donors make it possible to be ‘Dream Builders’

By Carrie Dahle and Joy Dobson Way

Soroptimist International of Ashland (SIA), stepped into spring by celebrating Women’s History Month, including International Women’s Day, on March 8. We felt the zest of the season in our hearts and an unstoppable drive in our spirits.

Then, on April 4, we hosted our first annual “Dream Builders Luncheon,” a beautiful and inspiring complimentary fundraising event held at Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites. Open to all interested community members, the event was designed to lift our spirits, inform our minds and touch our hearts.

Nearly 60 of our friends, neighbors and colleagues joined us to hear about Soroptimist on a worldwide, regional and local level. Our outstanding scholar recipient told her horrific story of abuse, fear, recovery, growth and success for herself and her two daughters. After all of that, with the support of SIA she is now close to completing her training and will soon be living her dream by working in Southern Oregon as a certified diesel mechanic.

Spring is that magical time when everything feels possible, and the promise of new beginnings energizes our souls. Our Dream Builders Luncheon was a call to action that produced tangible and, quite frankly, amazing results: We raised nearly $30,000 from our members, friends, and many supportive community members!

As we savor our success, we must remember that we are today’s trailblazers — writing the stories that future generations will honor. Every challenge we conquer, every barrier we break, adds to the legacy we are building. Let’s honor the incredible women who paved the way for us by becoming legends in our own right. Whether it’s through leading, mentoring, or simply being there for each other, we’re all part of this remarkable journey.

The express purpose of our Soroptimist first annual Dream Builders Luncheon was to raise awareness and expand community support for our local scholarship program. The Dream Builders campaign was initiated in January by seeking sponsors and donors to help raise funds for 2024 scholarships and also to fund awards in future years.

Given the skyrocketing cost of U.S. secondary education, our SIA goal is to triple the size of our scholarship program, both in the amount of funds dispersed and diversity of scholarships that are offered.

Sue Macmeeken, co-chair of our local Soroptimist Dream Builders Campaign, has stated, “The generosity of our community and businesses was absolutely amazing. About one third of the funds raised are being dispersed in Spring 2024 to scholarship recipients. They will augment funds already raised by our annual SIA Pillow & Blanket Rental Booth at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The remainder of of the funds raised by the Luncheon will be awarded in spring 2025.”

There will also be new scholarships, which will be advertised in early 2025. Kathy Mooney, a former SIA President, welcomed our guests and acknowledged by name the sponsors present who donated $500 or more. They are (in alphabetical order): Marilyn Bailey, Sara Brown & Paul Steinle, Janie Burcart, Christina Christensen, Mavis Cloutier, Kristine Davis, Joy Dobson Way, James Doino, Irene Grace, Sally Jones & Ben Benjamin, Jan Holland, Joan Lamont, David Lane, The Mary Macmeeken Trust, Mooney & Co/Heather Mooney, Barbara Oldfield, Amanda Ray, SIS Corportation/Angela Dillon, Jennifer Smith, Stout Law LLC, Taffy Taulbee, Janet H. Tilton, White Dental Studio, Evelyn Wachtel, and Jim Westrick. To our delight, additional donations have been made since the luncheon.

These acknowledgments were followed by a compelling presentation by current President Carrie Dahle on why educating girls and women is so important and how research demonstrates that benefits to society from educating women is different than from educating men. Not only does an educated woman provide for herself, her family and her community, but there is a multi-generational improvement in the health and economic standing of other family members. Also, women often focus on helping others, including other women, which benefits the community as a whole.

Sara Amesbury, our eloquent luncheon keynote speaker, was recipient of both our local 2023 Soroptimist Live Your Dream (LYD) Award and went on to receive the Soroptimist Northwestern Region LYD award, which includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The LYD Award is our Soroptimist signature award, given to a woman who is the head of her household.

At the Dream Builders Luncheon, Sara’s story was one of incredible resilience and strength. At one point she described her journey through addiction, mental illness, violence as “hitting below rock bottom” in her life. But, somehow, after having two daughters of her own, she finally realized that she needed to be able to support herself and her family by giving her daughters a totally different life from the one she had experienced growing up.

You could hear a pin drop as Sara shared her story of hardship in stark, but not graphic terms. It was not a story that many of us were terribly familiar with, but we could see, hear and feel her pain. Sara then stated unequivocally that her Soroptimist scholarship was a lifeline. It meant that a group of successful women believed in her and her professional dreams. The scholarship allowed her to go back to school at Rogue Community College. She will soon be fully qualified as a diesel mechanic.

She shared her story so other women will learn from her experience and to let Soroptimist International of Ashland know that they are making a real difference in the lives of women and girls.

Sue Macmeeken, SIA event chairperson, closed the luncheon by telling the audience that “you are now officially ‘one of our people.’ Maybe you’ll choose to donate, maybe not. But, whatever you do, at least help spread the word that Soroptimist International of Ashland does great things for women and girls in our community and they are worth investing in. You are all invited to our second Dream Builders Luncheon in 2025.”

Also, donations of any amount made to our SIA scholarship program will be gracefully accepted throughout the year at siashland.org.

Northwest Region Conference

In more recent days, several SIA members have been attending the highlight of our Soroptimist Club year — the Northwest Region Conference at the stunning Lake Washington Hyatt Regency in Renton, Washington, April 25-28. This isn’t just an event; it’s our moment to shine, connect, and grow. Imagine days filled with empowering workshops, inspirational talks, and, most importantly, the chance to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow Soroptimists who share a passion for our mission. It’s more than a conference; it’s a liftoff to our next level of impact and personal growth.

As we navigate this exhilarating season of spring, we have made every moment count. Spring is our time to thrive, to celebrate our achievements, and to pave the way for future successes. So we will support each other fiercely, love each other boldly, and uplift each other endlessly. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, and every gesture of solidarity fuels our collective fire. Here’s to a spring filled with unstoppable energy, unbreakable bonds, and unforgettable memories.

Soroptimist International of Ashland meets at noon the first through fourth Wednesdays of each month from September through June at Puerta Mazatlan, 1209 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, and invites anyone with an interest in improving the lives of women and girls to attend. For more information, email siashland@soroptimist.net.

May 23: Additional names added to list of sponsor donors and spelling corrected on a name.