The biennial Women of Achievement Awards celebrate the incredible women in our community who inspire, challenge and break barriers every day. This year the Women of Achievement Awards and 70th Anniversary Gala honored five amazing women and the club’s 70 years of service to the Rio Vista community.
Soroptimist 70th Anniversary & Women of Achievement Awards a Huge Success
Saturday, March 7, 2026, Soroptimist International of Rio Vista held its 70th Anniversary Gala and Women of Achievement Awards at the Monarch Grill to a capacity audience.
The club wishes to thank the enthusiastic community members who attended the event, many in 70’s period costumes, who honored their friends and supported the club’s endeavors.
Mayor Edwin Okamura kicked off the Gala in a wig and trendy 70’s attire. He celebrated Soroptimist International of Rio Vista’s charter in 1956 as well as seven decades of community service and commended the club with a City of Rio Vista Proclamation.
The event then recognized five extraordinary women whose leadership and service inspired positive change in our community:
- Natalie Crew — Past City Treasurer, AFS Coordinator at RVHS, and past two-term Soroptimist President — dedicated to youth, education, and civic service.
- Lorelyn Hechtman — Rio Vista Food Pantry leader and current Food Coordinator — a champion for families in need.
- MaryEllen Lamothe — Co-founder of RioVision, Planning Commissioner, Spirit of Solano Award recipient, and Past Soroptimist President — shaping community planning and vision.
- Tami Mitchell — Founder of the Rio Vista Farmer’s Market, Downtown Association President, and 2025 RV Chamber Volunteer Award recipient — driving community revitalization.
- Andrea Cross-Pearson — Owner of Ben’s Friends, Downtown Association Board Member, and 2025 Spirit of Solano Award recipient — advocating for local business and connection.
Each Woman of Achievement honoree stood to say a few words and receive their award, a commemorative glass figure with outstretched arms.
Past Soroptimist International of Rio Vista club presidents were asked to stand and introduce themselves, eliciting more than one laugh from the audience.
The club also shared their vision of the future – to remain true to its motto, “Investing in Dreams,” committed to creating opportunities for women and girls through education, support, and empowerment.
This special evening was also the club’s primary fundraiser, supporting scholarships, grants, and programs that help women and girls invest in their dreams and achieve their goals. These included numerous raffle baskets and silent auctions announced during the program, and later a spirited live auction that far exceeded the club’s goal of $5,000. Again, the club thanks the community for their continued support.
Accolades for an outstanding and successful event go to the hard-working Soroptimist Fundraising committee and club members. It was a wonderful event that honored the past, celebrated the present, and invested in the future — because when Rio Vista and neighboring Delta towns support women and girls through Soroptimist, incredible things happen.