Soroptimist group honors local women

KOIN 6 reporter and co-anchor Alexis Del Cid will emcee the proceedings as Soroptimist International Southwest Washington hands out its annual Best for Women awards.

The event will be held at 6 to 8 p.m. on March 8 International Women’s Day. The place is the YWCA Clark County, 3609 Main Street in Vancouver.

Three local women will be honored:

• Mand Zoe Lathim, 17, a volunteer at Share, won the Violet Richardson Award, honoring a teen volunteer.

• Tami Sayles, 33, a single Vancouver mother of three boys who overcame years of abuse and addiction, won the Women’s Opportunity Award, providing education support to women who are financially responsible for their families.

• Mary Blanchette, executive director of the Children’s Justice Center in Vancouver, is the winner of the Soroptimist Ruby Award. That award recognizes professionals or volunteers who have made a real difference in the lives of women and girls.

The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are necessary by March 5. To register, go to bestforwomen2012.eventbrite.com. For more information on the Soroptimist club, visit sisouthwestwashington.org.

Soroptimist International Southwest Washington is a local branch of the worldwide Soroptimist movement, which aims to make life better for women and girls.