News Summary

During a recent celebration, Coronado’s Soroptimist International Club honored Lynda Wood as Soroptimist of the Year for her dedication to supporting women and girls. The event featured a silent auction and introduced service award winners for young women. The club has awarded $10,000 in scholarships this year, underscoring their commitment to education and empowerment in the community.

Coronado Celebrates Lynda Wood as Soroptimist of the Year

Coronado’s Soroptimist International Club recently honored Lynda Wood as the Soroptimist of the Year during their annual year-end celebration. This prestigious award recognizes a member’s dedication and commitment to the organization’s mission of supporting women and girls in advancing their education and achieving economic independence. The recognition took place at a gathering hosted by Gail and Bob Bardin, attended by approximately 80 members and guests.

Wood, who joined Soroptimist International of Coronado in 2011, has shown exemplary leadership within the organization. She served as the president for the 2024-2025 term after holding the position of treasurer for five years. Her efforts have significantly contributed to the club’s outreach, including projects that extend into Mexico. The Soroptimist of the Year Award criteria include the length of membership and the level of involvement within the organization, both at the local and national levels.

The event also highlighted other community initiatives, featuring a silent auction and the introduction of two high school service award winners. Moreover, a new board for the 2025/26 term was installed during this festive occasion, marking a new chapter for the organization.

Support for Young Women

As part of the organization’s commitment to fostering leadership and volunteerism among young women, Soroptimist members recognized outstanding local candidates. Two service awards are available for young women aged 14-18 who have demonstrated a commitment to volunteer work in their communities. The application deadline for these awards is set for March 15, 2025. Awardees will receive $500 each, alongside an additional $500 directed to a charity of their choice.

Celebrating Achievements

This year’s primary award winner has a remarkable story; a recent Russian immigrant and mother of three, she is currently majoring in cyber-security at San Diego City College and has plans to transfer to a four-year degree program with aspirations for advanced graduate studies. Two other recipients, both mothers and current students at Southwestern College, are also seeking to further their education. One is pursuing a degree in accounting while the other aims to become an archaeologist. Significantly, all three awardees have overcome abusive situations and are low-income single parents, demonstrating resilience and determination in their journeys.

Soroptimist’s Community Impact

Through various fundraising efforts and community support, Soroptimist International of Coronado has awarded a total of $10,000 in scholarships this year alone. The efforts of Cathy McJannet, the scholarship chair, along with volunteer scholarship readers from the community, were recognized for their instrumental role in this initiative.

Members of Soroptimist International of Coronado convene weekly throughout the summer, engaging in community events such as the Marriott Food Truck Fridays which occur every Thursday evening at 5 p.m. Individuals interested in learning more about the club or its initiatives are encouraged to reach out to Jan Iwashita at info@coronadosoroptimist.org.

This event not only celebrated Lynda Wood’s accomplishments but highlighted the enduring mission of the Soroptimist organization to improve the lives of women and girls through educational and economic empowerment.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Coronado Welcomes Tony Winney as Assistant City Manager
Lynda Wood Named Soroptimist of the Year in Coronado
Coronado Awards Scholarships to Local Graduates
Coronado Honors Lynda Wood as Soroptimist of the Year
Coronado Girl Scouts Celebrate Community Engagement
Coronado Celebrates Young Women’s Community Impact

Additional Resources

• Coronado News: Lynda Wood as Soroptimist of the Year
• Coronado Times: Soroptimist Service Awards
• Coronado News: Mary Ann Kelly Obituary
• Wikipedia: Soroptimist International
• Google Search: Women Empowerment