Soroptimist International of Hays, a volunteer organization for business and professional women, held its annual awards ceremony Tuesday at the Rose Garden Steak Haus. The club recognized three women in different areas.
Lindsay Augustine, Ellis, was honored with the Violet Richardson Award. The Violet Richardson Award program recognizes young women ages 14 to 17 for demonstrating leadership by identifying an issue that is important to them in their communities and the world and addressing it through their volunteer efforts. Lindsay volunteers at the Ellis Food Pantry, Ellis FFA and St. Mary’s Church.
Monica Legleiter, Hays, received the Ruby Award. The Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women honors ordinary women, who through their professional or personal activities, make extraordinary efforts on behalf of women and girls. It also provides a $500 award, which the recipient can donate to the charity of her choice.
Legleiter plans to donate her $500 award to the Girl Scouts of America. Legleiter has worked for Girl Scouts of America for 14 years, and works primarily in the Volunteer Services area.
Rachel Harman, Hays, received the Live Your Dream Award. Soroptimist International of Hays is one of 1,300 clubs that make up Soroptimist International of the Americas, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. The Live Your Dream Award program provides women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families with the financial resources to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education or additional skills and training. The award can be used for tuition, books, childcare, carfare or any other education-related expense.
Harman will use the cash award to obtain her bachelor’s degree in general studies at FHSU. Harman is currently an administrative assistant at FHSU’s Institute of Applied Technology. In the past, she worked with special-needs children, young children in daycare, pregnant teens and women in domestic violence situations.
“I will just continue to move forward and be my best – day in and day out for me, my family and my community,” Harman said.