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Who is a South Sound Exceptional Women? This is the question that the Soroptimists International of Olympia members ask the community each spring. The Soroptimists are the local chapter of an international volunteer organization for service and community volunteer-minded women. They work together to improve the lives of women and girls in the greater Olympia community and throughout the world. Their mission to improve lives has helped to make our community a better place to live and work by supporting education and volunteerism.

The Soroptimists provide financial support to help at-risk middle school girls attend the YWCA Olympia’s Girls Without Limits program, which offers science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) training. They also sponsor adult women who have overcome significant hardships and are now seeking degrees in higher education and have provided scholarships for a female student at Hope Africa University. The Soroptimists know that the work of making lives better for women in our world is a team effort. Each year they seek to find women who have gone above and beyond to make the lives of those around them better. These women do not seek attention or recognition, but Soroptimists Olympia believes that these women deserve to be put in the spotlight and praised for their dedication and commitment.

Each year the Soroptimists seek nominations and the awardees are recognized at the annual South Sound Exceptional Woman awards banquet. This year’s banquet will be held at the Indian Summer Golf and Country Club on Friday, May 4. This year’s winners come from a wide variety of organizations and their efforts have touched women in many different walks of life. The one trait they all share is a passion for helping and inspiring those around them. Let me introduce you to a few of these exceptional women.

Sarah Clifthorne

Sarah Clifthorne serves on the board of SafePlace. Photo courtesy: Soroptomists International of Olympia

Sarah Clifthorne serves on the board of SafePlace, a community-based organization that supports victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. “SafePlace is an incredible resource for survivors,” shares Clifthorne. “We operate four core 24/7 programs that are free and confidential.” Clifthorne is proud of helping to recruit additional board members and raise staff salaries during her three years of service with SafePlace. In addition to helping women who experience violence in their lives, Clifthorne volunteers in the public schools. “I am humbled to have been nominated by an inspiring community leader like Stephanie Stocker,” she adds, “and am excited to receive the award alongside some of my she-roes!”

Kelly Chambers

Kelly Chambers helps Puget Sound veterans take “one last mission.” Photo courtesy: Soroptomists International of Olympia

Kelly Chambers is on the board of directors for Puget Sound Honor Flight. Puget Sound Honor Flight takes veterans on “One Last Mission” to Washington DC to visit the memorials that have been built in their honor. To date PSHF has flown 900 veterans of WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to share in this experience that is funded completely by private donors with no government funding. The cost of the flight is $1,000 per person but there is no charge to the veteran.

In addition to her work with PSPH, Kelly and her husband support Kidstown International, which runs homes for children in Romania, India and Nepal. Chambers is most proud of raising her daughter Ashton. As a teen mother, Chambers learned that only 2 percent of pregnant teens ever complete college. “This was a driving force for me as I worked to complete high school and became the first member of my family to graduate from college,” shares Chambers. “I was then able to break the cycle of poverty by making sure that my daughter graduated from college.” Happily, her daughter Ashton graduated from WSU and now works in sales for the Seattle Mariners Organization.

Bridget Sipher

Olympia Soroptimsits Bridget Sipher
Bridget Sipher was nominated for her work with the South Sound Reading Foundation. Photo courtesy: Olympia Soroptismists

Bridget Sipher of Olympia Pediatrics was nominated for her work with the South Sound Reading Foundation. She has been on the board of the SSRF for over a decade and feels that quality early education is a key factor to success in school and life. “SSRF focuses on introducing the importance of early literacy skills to families, especially low-income families,” shares Sipher. “Reading to your baby literally turns on genes in the brain that enhance brain development.” As a pediatrician, Sipher has the privilege of working with young girls and their families every day. She is able to help girls to steer away from the amplified social media pressure to look and act a certain way and focus on good habits, eating, sleeping and moving their bodies each day. “I am so humbled by this award!” Shares Sipher. “I know so many exceptional women and feel like they deserve this recognition more than I do.”

Kathleen Harmon

Kathleen Harmon helps keep things running for the Washington Fire Chiefs. Photo courtesy: Soroptomists International of Olympia

Kathleen Harmon is the association office manager for the Washington Fire Chiefs. The Washington Fire Chiefs is a non-profit organization that represents the Fire Chiefs along with other groups including Fire Mechanics, EMS and HazMat Professionals. Harmon oversees the day-to-day operation and coordinates education events and special projects. Although Harmon works in a primarily male dominated industry, her office staff is predominantly female.

“I am always looking for opportunities for our staff to grow professionally through training, education and leadership opportunities,” shares Harmon. “As an organization we are always looking for better ways for the fire service to be more inclusive and diverse.” Harmon was extremely honored and completely surprised to be chosen for the Exceptional Woman award.

Tessa Effland

Olympia Soroptomists Exceptional Women Tessa Effland with Averie Stock
Tessa Effland with youth athletes Brooke Barner and Averie Stock. Effland dedicates her time to helping young women have a positive view on life. Photo courtesy: Tessa Effland

Tessa Effland of FitLife was nominated by a friend and fellow volunteer Linda Terry. Together they have sought to better the lives of women from young teens to our eldest community members. Through health coaching Effland has been able to help young girls see their world through a different lens. “I have been able to show girls that although they may not be able to change their circumstance, they can change the way they look at life and how they live it,” shares Effland.

Effland spends her time at FitLife helping women to find a new level of confidence, coaching them every day to never give up and to always give back to their communities. Tessa has organized multiple fundraisers which raised needed funds for families facing health crisis such as Miles for McDougal, the Kellen 5K and Be one of Akind. “Improving the lives of young girls and women is a part of my everyday life and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity that I never considered receiving an award for it!” She exclaims.

Twenty women in total will be honored for their work positively impacting the lives of many in our community. Thank you to the Soroptimists for shining a light on these deserving awardees.

For more information on the Soroptimists and to purchase tickets to the event on Friday May 4, 2018 at Indian Summer Golf and Country Club visit the Olympia Soroptimists website.

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