Soroptimist International of Mariposa members attending the 2015 Installation of 2015-2016 Officers Ceremony, front row Joy Shultz, (pictured l-r) back row Pat Perry, Dee Carr, Debbie Lester, Sandy Semtner, Elna Philbert, Patricia Wight, Anita Starchman Bryant, Kit O’Shell, Jane Burdick, Karen Verdugo, and Barbara Parker-Darraugh

Soroptimist International of Mariposa held their annual Installation of Officers event on June 6, 2015 at the home of member Barbara Darraugh.  The event was planned by Installation Committee members Kit O’Shell, Elna Philbert, Barbara Darraugh and Joy Shultz.  Patricia Wight will hold the office of President for the 2015-2016 term.  The other 2015-2016 Officers are as follows:  President-Elect Karen Verdugo; Secretary Anita Starchman Bryant; Assistant Secretary Oralee Phillips, Treasurer Beverly Suggs; Two-year Director: Joy Shultz, One-year Directors Pat Perry and Jane Burdick, One-Year Delegate Sandy Semtner, Two- Year Delegates Beth Williams and Debbie Lester.

Soroptimist International of Mariposa is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas.  Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., Soroptimist (Soroptimist.org) improves the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.  Its major program, the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards, provides cash grants for women seeking to improve their lives with the help of additional education and training.  Since 1972, the award-winning program has disbursed more than $25 million to tens of thousands of women, helping them to achieve their educational goals.  Soroptimist, a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations to support its programs, also powers LiveYourDream.org—an online community offering offline volunteer opportunities in support of women and girls.  For more information about Soroptimist International of Mariposa, contact Patricia Wight at: 209-742-7780, visit us on-line at: simariposa.org or find us on Facebook.

Article contributed by Anita Starchman Bryant