On the Town: Women who persevere honored by Soroptimist

For generations, women have faced the challenges of balancing a job with raising a family — sometimes as a single mom.

Others add college courses to the mix with hopes of securing a higher-paying job to support their family.

Soroptimist International of Glendale supports education and training for women in need through its “Live Your Dream” project.

Two women received cash awards to help them further their education during the Accolades luncheon called “Dreams in Motion” at the Oakmont Country Club in mid-March.

First-place winner, Lorraine, who asked that her last name be omitted for her safety, is a single mother of two children. She married late in life and had her first child at 48 years old and her second at 50.

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She has triumphed over domestic violence, divorce and financial adversity and is now enrolled in the school of radiologic technology at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. She plans to complete her two-year course of study and receive her credential as a radiologic technologist.

Her dream is to take courses offered by the U.S. Small Business Assn.’s Small Business Development Center and someday open her own X-ray imaging centers in disadvantaged areas.

Dora L. Carranza, the second-place winner, is a single parent to four daughters ranging in age from 11 to 17. A survivor of domestic violence and divorce, she has been selected to participate in the CalWorks program at Pasadena City College, where, as a full-time student, she maintains a 3.36 grade-point average.

She is pursuing associate’s degrees in both nursing and natural science, then hopes to fully receive a doctorate and become a nurse practitioner. Her dream is to transfer to a university and earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing science.

She volunteers at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, at her church and is active in the PTAs at her daughters’ schools.

Carol Ann Burton, Soroptimist president, conducted the luncheon meeting and thanked program chairs Bobbie Brundige for planning the luncheon and Jean Kagan for coordinating the candidates and judges for the “Live Your Dream” awards.

Judges were Lynda Burns, member of the Commission on the Status of Women; David Viar, superintendent/president of Glendale Community College; Janelle Williams, with Williams Land Use Services; and Vic Pallos, advisor. Glendale Adventist Medical Center.

Committee members included Dolly Carl, Janet Hamilton, Jacky Hawley, Jane Karageorge, Jill Lewis and Kathryn Van Houten.

Soroptimist’s next event will be the 14th annual “Bras for a Cause” fundraiser, with the theme “Embrace the Goddess in You,” beginning at 5:30 p.m. on April 29 at the Oakmont Country Club.

There will be a viewing of beautifully decorated bras, a silent auction and dinner. Proceeds go to cancer support organizations and other Glendale charities.

Dinner tickets are $125 each. Deadline for reservations is April 22.

For more information, visit soroptimistglendale.com.

Innovative fundraiser pedals into town

There was a high level of energy inside Hoover High School’s main gym recently when supporters of the Campbell Center joined in the inaugural fundraising bike race.

What made it unique was that participants raced on stationary bicycles. With music blaring, courtesy of super DJ Shai’La, almost 100 spectators, Campbell clients, board members, cheerleaders and volunteers cheered participants to the “finish” line.

Each biker rode as part of a team and competed for their own individual as well as their overall team’s first-place prize for the most dollars raised and most miles pedaled.

The idea was introduced by foundation board member and event chair Jodi Deranja, who is originally from Bismarck, N.D. It is a project that her family has done for the past 15 years in Bismarck as a fundraiser in honor of her nephew who has cerebral palsy.

“It was so gratifying to see my brother-in-law Peter, a client of the Campbell Center, participate as part of his brother’s team and pedal like a pro,” Deranja said.

JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.