The Women’s Empowerment Awards is unique to Soroptimist International of Rio Vista and their commitment to women and girls in this community. There are two awards that address a gap in the club’s typical awards – specifically, women who are out of high school who struggle to achieve their educational and career goals.
Women are eligible to apply if:
- Applicants are women who are high school graduates
- Applicants are enrolled in college or a trade school
- Applicants demonstrate a financial need
- Applicants reside in Rio Vista (or the surrounding area)
There are two awards:
- $2,000, Sponsored by the Trina Vazquez Memorial Fund
- $1,500, Sponsored by Campos EPC, to start or finish an educational program in a S.T.E.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) career.
Meet the 2025 Women’s Empowerment Award Recipients
Sydney Saldana received $2,000 for schooling or skill-building to complete her educational goals. SIRV partnered with Diana Vazquez, who funded the entire scholarship in the name of Trina Vazquez. Sydney, a resident of Rio Vista, is attending Chico State’s Communication Science Disorders graduate program, studying for her Master of Science as a speech language pathologist. She expects to complete her studies in May 2026. In her application Sydney stated, “Next year, I will be completing 2 unpaid internships while continuing to take night classes. It’s unlikely that I will be able to work as I need to complete 300 hours between my 2 internships and take 5 hours of classes a week.” Later she wrote, “I still have a long way to go and this scholarship would do a lot to help me complete my program!”
The second recipient, Mitzi Vera received $2,500 to start or finish a S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) educational program. SIRV partnered with Campos Engineering to fund this scholarship. Mitzi, a resident of Isleton, is attending San Joaquin Delta College, studying to complete the Phlebotomy program, and later, to become a Registered Nurse. She expects to complete the Phlebotomy program in June 2025. In her application Mitzi wrote, “I am 24 years old, a single full-time mother to twin girls and full-time employee striving her best for a better life. I would like to apply for the Soroptimist scholarship to better my education in the nursing field.”