Downriver Soroptimists Celebrate 75th Anniversary

On June 16, Soroptimist International of Downriver held their combination scholarship awards, installation/induction ceremony, and 75^th anniversary banquet at Biddle Hall in Wyandotte.

Soroptimist is an international organization of almost 1,500 clubs in nineteen countries for and by dedicated women who use their collective power to help other women and girls transform their physical, mental, and emotional lives and the lives of their families. Downriver Soroptimist is a volunteer group that offers service by way of fundraising and donations, public awareness/educational programs, and hands-on assistance; as well as presenting yearly monetary awards to individuals to help support and further their future. These women give their time and talents to local food pantries, Vista Maria, First Step, Sparrow Project, Stanford House, Alternatives for Girls, and to area women’s health institutions. They host annual charity fundraisers and programs such as “Save the Girls” charity golf outing, the “Dream It, Be It” program for adolescent girls, and the biennial “Battle for Freedom” avant-garde hair and fashion show.

The evening’s celebration began with a welcome from President Mary Pilon, and member Leann Hedke’s heartfelt invocation.

Six women were recognized with monetary awards from the Downriver Soroptimist for their ambition and contribution to their communities. Some of the essay judges were in attendance to celebrate with the winners. The applicants were evaluated on a set criteria and essays that assessed their contributions to women and society.

The “Live Your Dream Education and Training Award” was established in 1972 to provide monetary assistance to women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families to obtain the skills-training or undergraduate degree program necessary to improve their employment status and standard of living for themselves and their family.

Each year, over $3 million is awarded to more than 1,800 women in Soroptimist’s member countries and territories. The women receiving these financial awards may use them for any costs associated with their educational efforts, including tuition, books, childcare, and transportation, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence, the death of a spouse and/or substance abuse. The Live Your Dream chairperson is Nancy Nagle.

The mother of three sons under the age of eighteen, three of whom are under age ten, Chamika Ford is supporting her household after her husband was disabled from a car accident. She admits to having a rough time in high school, but she did graduate on time. She realized even then that education was her way out of poverty. Chamika works full time at a local non-profit community foundation as a scholarship coordinator, while attending classes at Ferris State University to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Ms. Ford also works as a janitor at a health clinic at night. Despite the financial hardships while balancing education and work/family obligations, she concluded, “Both are necessary for my family’s survival.” She wants her sons to see her succeed and know the long days and nights and hard work she has put in have meaning.

Mariam Salim is on track to receive a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at the University of Michigan-Dearborn in August 2027. Her ultimate career goal is to become an Energy Manager specializing in sustainable power and energy efficiency. Ms. Salim has three children and was anxious about returning to school as a full-time student, especially as English is her second language. Mariam stated that the many obstacles she faced “strengthened my determination to create a brighter, more sustainable future for my family and my community. Every challenge I’ve faced from late night studying after my children fall asleep to overcoming language barriers have reminded me why I started; to show my children that with hard work, faith, and determination, anything is possible.”

The Virginia Wagner Educational Award is given to a woman aspiring to complete a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree to enable her to reach her career goals. Judging is based on a weighted criteria for judging that includes scholarship, extra-curricular activities, need, and effort toward education. The Virginia Wagner chairperson is Fallon Belisle.

Ella Uganski is currently pursuing her master’s degree at DePaul University in occupational therapy and carries a 4.0 GPA. Ella obtained her undergraduate degree at Wayne State University and has had an incredible volleyball career throughout high school and college.

Ella fell in love with the field of rehabilitation and the opportunity to provide firsthand patient care. She has a passion for helping others and creating adaptive solutions. Throughout middle and high school, she was involved in a program where she academically supported peers with disabilities. This program allowed her to realize how much she truly enjoys advocating for and supporting others, and now attends a class completely dedicated to disability studies. Ms. Uganski attributes much of her work ethic to her family who sacrificed many nights and weekends to take her to volleyball practices and games over the years, and taught her what true commitment and dedication looks like.

Elina Villemure completed her second year with a 3.85 GPA at Eastern Michigan University pursuing her bachelor's degree University in elementary education. Elina truly loves working with children, and her passion for teaching has also led her to coach multiple CrossFit classes a week. She has begun her own seminar that informs gyms how to work with different types of disabilities and injuries.

Ms. Villemure is a bilateral amputee who grew up in a Bulgarian orphanage for the first six years of her life, and her confidence did not always come easily. She grew up with two brothers and a single mom, and finances were a challenge. She gives tremendous gratitude to her high school counselor who believed in her and changed the trajectory of her life, and a CrossFit gym owner who helped her become who she is today. In addition to being a full-time student, she also is a substitute teacher during the school year. She also helps coach children in Detroit through a nonprofit organization called “Core City CrossFit Kids Detroit”.

Elina is currently working to pay her own way through school, in addition to many other expenses. She gives great credit to her mom who showed her that if you want something, you have to work for it yourself, and to her grandmother who runs a nationwide non-profit called Children with Hair loss. Elina knows she will be able to make an impact on many children in the future.

The Soroptimist Prime award is exclusive to SI of Downriver. High school girls residing in Allen Park, Brownstown, Ecorse, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, River Rouge, Riverview, Romulus, Southgate, Taylor, Trenton, Woodhaven, or Wyandotte are eligible to apply for the $1000 award. The Soroptimist Downriver High School Girls’ Award honors young women who make the community and world a better place through volunteer efforts. Pat Bryan is the Prime chairperson.

Senior, Avalon Francis, is the first president of the Girl Up club at Trenton High School, serving two years as its president. Girl Up is a nationwide organization created to give girls the opportunity to lead and participate in activities to uplift women of all different backgrounds and walks of life.

Avalon chaired several club events and collaborated with Soroptimists for the “Purses for a Purpose” donation drive which collected purses filled with necessities for women fleeing domestic abuse. Her club also collected items for new, single, and expectant mothers for the “Mother’s Day Drive” to donate to the maternity house “Salah’s Home.” Trenton’s Girl Up collected homecoming and prom dresses to pass on to girls who could not afford such luxuries. Avalon’s says this of her presidency: “I want to not only show women that they are valued and empowered to be whomever they choose to be, but it is my goal to give them the resources they need to accomplish this by creating opportunities to allow girls and women to grow and experience life in their own way.”

Allen Park High School’s Ella Atkinson, was elected vice-president of her Girl Up club. In her senior year, she recruited several new members. Her club’s aspirations are to champion leadership development, foster a sense of belonging in the community, and to take action through service and fundraising to create a more promising future for all girls. Recognizing the need for feminine hygiene products and accessories in the school’s bathrooms, the Girl Up club collected and provided abundant items to restock the restrooms each week. A productive bake sale brought in funding new feminine products and other service opportunities. In addition to girls’ physical needs, Ella’s club addressed the mental well-being of girls by taping inspirational messages throughout the school. Her biggest accomplish of her high school years was being the Girl Up vice-president. “I cannot imagine the person that I could be without it.”

Senator Darrin Camilleri and a representative from Congresswoman Debbie Dingell presented the club with congratulatory proclamations for its 75^th anniversary.

The celebration continued with President Mary installing Dr. Blair Stamper as president; Fallon Belisle as vice-president; Kim Stoddart as secretary; Chris Speedie and Lisa Clark as co-treasurers; and Holly McKinney, Mary Pilon, and Rose Shuryan as directors.

Long-time member, Linda Crisi, continued the ceremony with the induction of three new members: Angela Askew, Star Green, and Holly McKinney.

Membership chairperson Linda Crisi presented a five-year membership milestone certificate and pin to Leann Hedke; Bobbie Navarre received a certificate and pin for ten years, and Pat Bryan the same for fifteen years of membership.

President Mary Pilon presented Holly McKinney the “Rookie of the Year” award for her enthusiasm and dedication to Soroptimist. “Key Member” Janelle Rose was chosen for her fantastic outreach to Downriver via Facebook, her vast community connections, and willingness to do whatever, whenever. The most important award, the “Soroptimist of the Year,” was voted upon by all members and well deserved by Blair Stamper for introducing her SOAR community to the club, as well as her new ideas and commitment to Soroptimist. The 2025 Soroptimist of the Year, Lisa Clark, presented Blair with this honor. Lisa received a plaque to commemorate her time as last year’s Soroptimist of the Year.

New president, Blair Stamper, concluded the grand event with a presentation of Soroptimist of Downriver’s 75^th anniversary throughout the decades.

You can help improve the lives of women and girls in the Downriver area and around the world by donating to Soroptimist International of Downriver. Your donation will help fund our service projects. This is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Make an online donation via Venmo or by sending a check to Soroptimist International of Downriver, 1644 Vernon, Trenton, MI 48183.

The Downriver Soroptimist organization meets at 6:30 P.M. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Woodhaven Community Center. All women are welcome to attend. You may contribute to the foundation that the Soroptimists support on krogercommunityrewards.com. If you are interested in learning more about Downriver Soroptimists and our other activities, contact us at siofdownriver@gmail.com or check out our page on Facebook@SoroptimistInternationalOfDownriver.