Soroptimist Lodi hosts awards presentations
Soroptimist International of Lodi recently held its awards ceremony at the Parkview Terrace Club House. Soroptimist International is a global organization that works to improve the lives of women and girls through programs focusing on social and economic empowerment.
The Live Your Dream Award is a $1,000 grant given to a woman who is the head of a household and who is returning to school to improve her economic and social status. Award recipients face enormous obstacles such as poverty, domestic and sexual abuse, substance abuse or death of a spouse. With a little help, they have the strength to achieve their goals. Last year, 1,476 deserving women received the award through Soroptimist International clubs across America.
Nikhat Khan is this year’s recipient of the Live Your Dream Award of $1000. Morgan Harden received the SI Lodi Achievement Award, Veronica Flores and Chrissy Gilpin, the 2017 Live Your Dream Award recipients, were awarded an additional $500 each to continue their education.
Dr. Minajoy Lee Sebastian presented the award to Nikhat Khan.
Khan is enrolled with National University and is on her way to earning a degree in computer science by November 2019. Her goal is to become a software engineer. She delayed her education to support her parents, who retired early due to medical issues.
“My education and training is based on real life needs,” Khan said. “I want to be an example to my nieces, to show them that the sky is the limit and they can become whatever they set their minds to be.”
Soroptimist International of Lodi is privileged to honor Khan for her devotion and duty to her family, for her perseverance to her education, and for inspiration to those around her.
The Soroptimist Achievement Award of $1,000 was presented to Harden by Beverly Lacy. This award is presented to a woman who has survived a challenging youth and graduated from the foster care program. Morgan was recommended by Jennifer Held, the executive director of the Mary Graham Children’s Foundation. She graduated from a science/math charter school in Stockton. Harden is currently attending the University or California at Davis majoring in micro-biology. Her goal is to become a researcher and possibly teach.
“Morgan has always been a strong student academically and is an extremely determined and hardworking person,” Held said. “Despite growing up with little parental support, she has set mighty goals for herself and is determined to meet them.”
Marian Norris, District Director (for District 5) presented the awardees with recognition awards from Sen. Cathleen Galgiani. The recipients were also presented with recognition awards from Congressman Jerry McNerney and Assemblyman Jim Cooper, who were unable to attend.
Soroptimist is a service organization for Professional Women. The Lodi group meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month, at 6 p.m. at Richmaid Restaurant. Guests and potential members are welcome to attend. For more information you can contact Bev Lacy at 209-334-5389 or go online at or on the Facebook page Soroptimist International of Lodi.