Trenton-Downriver Area Soroptimists' 2022 Award Banquet

Soroptimist International of Trenton and Downriver Area began the celebration with the induction of four new members: Cindy Gouth, Chanel Olson, Tina Thompson, and Rebecca McNally. The Sparrow Freedom Project, a survivor-led organization dedicated to empowering those who have been exploited and trafficked, was then presented a $7800 check from funds donated from the “Battle for Freedom” show. Annual scholarship awards were next issued to five deserving women.

The Virginia Wagner Award is judged based on the goals and accomplishments of a woman who is pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree. Kathryn Crabb, this year’s winner, graduated with high honors with her Associate in Arts - Human Services from Washtenaw Community College. She is in the final stage of completing her bachelor’s degree in social work, on the dean’s list, from Eastern Michigan University. Her plan is to enroll in a master’s program in the fall. Ms. Crabb has been a Girl Scout Leader for five years; Chair of the Board Development Committee for Child’s Hope; and secretary of the Hedke Elementary School PTO, where her daughter was a student. Despite many personal, emotional, and physical challenges, including triple negative breast cancer and a brain tumor that was removed in 2016, Kathryn took control of her life after ending a turbulent relationship. The services she received from social workers helping her deal with breast cancer and domestic abuse issues led her to her choice of the profession of social work. “Cancer and domestic violence will never define me, however, that trauma is part of who I am today and because of that, I will never be silent again when speaking out against any type of injustice.”

The Live Your Dream Award was established in 1972 by Soroptimist International to assist women with primary financial responsibility 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 $2.8 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.

The Soroptimist of Trenton and Downriver Area’s Live Your Dream recipient finished a licensed practical nurse program at Detroit Business Institute in Riverview in December and will begin an accelerated registered nurse program in April. Celeste Salih is a mother of three facing the joys and challenges of being a single mom After a death in the family, she faced financial difficulties, but she is determined to make life better for her children. Her catalyst to reach her goals was a quote:” You’re scared to take a four-year course because you’re twenty-eight; and by the time you finish, you’ll be thirty-two. Whether you take that course or not, in four years’ time, you’ll still be thirty-two. So why not be thirty-two doing something you love?”

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

The Soroptimist Prime award winner is Grosse Ile High School senior, Lauren Hinzmann. Through volunteering in Girl Scouts, church, National Honor Society, ChristNet, or Girl Up, Lauren feels satisfaction and happiness knowing that she has made a positive impact on her community. The club in which she is the most active in now is Girl Up, which is an organization under UNICEF to advance girls' rights and opportunities as leaders in their community. Girls from multiple countries participate in campaigns, fundraisers, and projects to better the quality of life for women and children globally. The latest club project was collecting and distributing over a thousand feminine hygiene products to women and girls in need, especially during the pandemic. Lauren intends to continue her volunteer and support of women and girls in her community well beyond high school.

When Soroptimist of Trenton and Downriver Area lost long-time member Barbara Rigg three years ago, her family graciously donated funds for us to give monetary awards to deserving individuals in her memory. This year we solicited nominations for outstanding women who go above and beyond in volunteering her time to making a significant contribution to her community over an extended period of time and who are role models of compassion and service, striving to make their community and world a better place.

Sue Pilon is this year’s first Barbara Rigg Memorial Award recipient. She has served on Wyandotte’s Cultural and Historical Commission for fifteen years and is the current president. Under her leadership, the Museums campus of four buildings are maintained and improved so special events can be held throughout the year. Hundreds of Downriver residents visit each year for family-oriented events and to search the historical archives. Besides chairing the monthly meetings, Sue volunteers for many other tasks including cleaning out the museum storage areas and dressing in costume as a presenter for their biggest fundraising event - The Cemetery Walk. Sue also recently retired from her job at Downriver Community Conference as Chief Operating Officer, as well as the Board of Directors of Everybody Ready - an early childhood advocacy agency for many years. Sue is also an active volunteer with Gift of Life of Michigan, after undergoing a tissue transplant following a bilateral mastectomy for breast cancer. She uses her experience to speak at events and TV interviews to help educate the public about the importance of signing up as an organ/tissue donor. The award check is designated by Sue Pilon to benefit the Wyandotte Museum.

Our second Barbara Rigg Memorial Award recognizes Sarah Pettigrew. Sarah has been a volunteer leader with the Wayneright Community Meals Program, also known as the Wyandotte Soup Kitchen, for over fifteen years. At this free community meal program, Sarah helps plan, prepare, and serve meals twice per week to an average of fifty-five people, but it has been up to as many as 150. Besides a hot meal, guests also receive a bag lunch-to-go, and may also receive goods such as paper products, personal care items, and other pantry staples. In addition, she orchestrates the collection of non-perishable items, packs care packages for holiday meals, and organizes an “adopt a kid” program. Sarah’s monetary award will be donated to Wayneright Community Meals Program.

The Trenton and Downriver Area Soroptimist organization meets on the second Tuesday of the month at the Woodhaven Community Center, and the fourth Tuesday at Portofino’s of Wyandotte. All women are welcome to attend. You may contribute to the foundations that the Soroptimists support on smile.amazon.com and krogercommunityrewards.com. If you are interested in learning more about the Trenton and Downriver Area Soroptimists and our other activities, check out our page on Facebook@SoroptimistInternationalOfTrentonAndDownriverArea or sioftrentonanddownriverarea@gmail.com.