Marching For Local Women and Girls

Soroptimists and "S" Club members marching in the Borrego Days Parade — “S” Club and Soroptimist members marching at Borrego Days in 2017

For the second year in a row, the members of Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs and the Borrego Springs High School “S” Club, a teen action-oriented volunteer club, are teaming up to march for women and girls in the community of Borrego Springs and throughout the world. Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs is a volunteer organization that assists women and girls to “Live Their Dreams” through education scholarships, career workshops and mentoring opportunities. “S” Clubs are considered an outreach program of the Soroptimist organization, and a vital way for high school students to learn about serving others and helping their communities both near and far.

This month, the Borrego Springs High School “S” Club selected their second major fundraising opportunity: helping fund the new Borrego Springs Library. The “S” Club will be raising awareness for library funding and hoping to raise their goal of $1,000 at their Borrego Days booth.

Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs also has an important cause: they will be collecting gift cards, unopened personal hygiene items, baby supplies and gently-worn or new clothing for survivors of sex trafficking in San Diego County. The drive is part of a larger call to action in partnership with STAT! (Soroptimists Together Against Trafficking), where women of Soroptimist International join together to raise awareness of sex trafficking and support the survivors in our county. You can drop off any of the listed items at the Soroptimist booth at Borrego Days, October 20 and 21.

“We love that both Soroptimist and our ‘S’ Club are raising awareness for organizations who make a difference in the lives of women and girls, right here in San Diego County,” says Judy Stewart, President of Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs. “We ask that all festival attendees stop by our booths and learn how they can make a difference, right here at home!”

April 15, 2018November 11, 2018

Dream It, Be It Career Day

First-of-Kind Girls’ Career Day Comes to Borrego Springs

Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs members know, “if you can dream it, you can do it!” The local volunteer club has created a career day focused on inspiring Borrego Springs High School girls to dream big, then empowering them to follow that dream.

The Dream It, Be It Career Day features eight amazing women speakers, in a myriad of careers, to share their life stories in diverse career paths. Julia Anguiano, who graduated from Borrego Springs High school, is day’s keynote speaker. Julia, recently chosen as the Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs’ 2018 Live Your Dream winner, and awarded a $1000 scholarship, will soon complete her degree at the University of San Francisco.

Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls helps girls grow up to be strong, successful, happy adults. Dream It, Be It targets girls in secondary school who face obstacles to their future success. It provides girls with access to professional role models, career education and the resources to live their dreams.

The career day will take place at the Senior Center on Saturday, April 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided by local Kendall’s restaurant and the club is grateful to the Senior Center for donating their building to accommodate this important and groundbreaking day.

Please see Martha Deichler at the school district office to receive a registration packet. All Borrego Springs High School girls are encouraged to attend.

March 3, 2018March 3, 2018

10 Things You Didn’t Know Women Invented

Wireless Transmission Technology - Women Inventions

10 Things You Didn’t Know Women Invented

International Women’s Day is March 8, so Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs member, Anne W., did a little research to share and celebrate women inventors and inventions by women!

Here are 10 Things You Didn’t Know Women Invented!

1. Monoply

Monopoly - Women Inventions — Monopoly was originally invented to expose injustice

This popular board game was designed by Elizabeth Maggie in 1904, originally called the Landlord’s Game. The purpose of this game was to expose the injustices of unchecked capitalism.

Her game was ripped off by Charles Darrow who sold it to Parker Brother’s 30 years later. However, Parker Brothers later paid Elizabeth $500 for her game.

2. The Car Heater

The Car Heater - Women Inventions — Brrrr! Thanks for keeping our hands warm on those chilly mornings!

Cold hands, warm hearts, though! We all owe our thanks to Margaret A. Wilcox who invented the car heater in 1893! Margaret also invented a combined clothes and dishwasher.

3. The Life Raft

The Life Raft - Women Inventions — The lifesaving Life Raft was invented by Maria Beasely in 1882

The lifesaving Life Raft was invented by Maria Beasely in 1882. Maria also invented a machine that makes barrels, as well.

4. Residental Solar Heating

Residential Solar Heating - Women Inventions — Solar heating for residential housing was invented by Dr. Maria Telkes in 1947

Solar heating for residential housing was invented by Dr. Maria Telkes in 1947. Dr. Telkes was a Psychiatrist in addition to being a Solar-Power Pioneer.

5. The Computer Algorithm

The Computer Algorithm - Women Inventions — Her ideas and notes were an essential key to helping Alan Turing’s work on the first modern computers in the 1940’s

Ada Lovelace is essentially the first computer programmer due to her work with Charles Babbage at the University of London in 1842. In fact, her ideas and notes were an essential key to helping Alan Turing’s work on the first modern computers in the 1940’s. His work is now being recognized as one of the critical programs that helped the world defeat Hitler and the Nazi’s.

6. Wireless Transmission Technology

Hedy Lamarr, a world famous film star, invented a secret communications system during World War II for radio-controlling torpedoes. This technology also paved the way for everything from GPS to even the Wi-Fi you are probably using right now!

7. Closed-Circuit Television Security (CCTV)

Closed Circuit TV - Women Inventions — Ms. Brown’s invention was created in response of the lack of assistance of police officers in 1969 to help people ensure their own security

Marie Van Brittan Brown invented CCTV because of the slow response of police officers in 1969 to help people ensure their own security. This invention influenced modern CCTV systems used for home security and police work today.

8. Kevlar

Kevlar - Women Inventions — Five times stronger than steel!

This life-saving material was invented by Stephanie Kwolek, in 1965. It is five times stronger than steel and used to make bulletproof vests.

9. The First User-Friendly Software Ever

Computer Software - Women Inventions — Also coined the term “bug”, in reference to a glitch in a computer system

Dr. Grace Murray Hopper was a computer scientist that invented COBOL which is the first user-friendly business computer software system in the 1940’s.

She was also a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy and the first person to use the term “bug” in reference to a glitch in a computer system when she literally found a bug (moth) causing problems with her computer!

10. Telecommunications Technology

Telecommunications Technology - Women Inventions — So now go call your mother…

Some of the Telecommunication Technology developed by Dr. Shirley Jackson include: the portable fax, touch tone telephone, solar cells, fiber optic cables, and the technology behind caller ID and call waiting.

Surprised? Not surprised? Comment below or on our Facebook page with your thoughts!

February 19, 2018November 11, 2018

Volunteering on Valentine’s Day

"S" Club members making Valentine's gift bags

Borrego Springs “S” Club Valentine’s Day Volunteering

Valentine’s Day isn’t all about prose and roses! At least, that’s what the Borrego Springs High School “S” Club proved on Wednesday, February 14. 17 “S” Club members spent their Valentine’s Day afternoon packing Valentine’s Day greetings and gifts for residents at the child’s home, Una Salida, located in Mexicali, Mexico. Exactly 30 bags were sweetly arranged, complete with: small gifts, school supplies, candy and hand-written notes from each “S” Club member.

Valentine’s Volunteering Delivery

The gifts were then delivered to Una Salida by Ernie and Debbie Loza on Saturday, February 17, where they were received with excitement and appreciation. The teens plan to write back to “S” Club members, as well.

Who knows, perhaps we have some new pen pals in this digital age!

January 6, 2018November 11, 2018

“S” Club and Soroptimists Eclipse Santa

“S” Club and Soroptimist of Borrego Springs Eclipse Santa

Making the New Year bright means ending 2017 on a high note. That’s just what Borrego Springs “S” Club members did by playing Santa Claus and delivering special gift bags to local assisted living facility residents at Mountain View.

In mid-December six special gift bags were donated by Umpqua Bank Assistant Vice President, Claudia Castaneda. “S” Club member, Samantha Hernandez, then organized the gifts and Soroptimists of Borrego Springs then presented them to our local assisted living facility residents at Mountain View.

“S” Club member, Yuridia Leal, and local Soroptimists visited residents on that delivery day. They talked, read and gave each resident a Christmas gift bag filled with essential items each resident could use.

“The ‘S’ Club is a committed group of youth helping to make Borrego Springs a better place,” stated Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs Media Chair, Marcie Grube, “They definitely demonstrated this holiday season our senior community members are important and ensured they were cared.”

Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs and the “S” Club look forward to a bright 2018, all year long!

November 4, 2017November 11, 2018

Borrego Springs “S” Club Raises Over $800 for Mexico Earthquake Survivors

Borrego Springs “S” Club Awareness Boomed at Borrego Days

After marching with Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs members in the Borrego Days Parade, the newly formed Borrego Springs “S” Club, made up of Borrego Springs High School students, manned their own awareness booth and had over $800 donated to their first cause: helping survivors of the earthquake in Central Mexico.

“We are delighted that the ‘S’ Club’s first project resonated with Borrego Days Festival attendees and Borrego Springs residents,” says Kathy Jorgensen, President of Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs and “S” Club advocate. “Our girls were well-prepared and showed their passion and dedication in helping others. They are amazing advocates for this first project.”

Now begins the hard decision of deciding which worthy organization can best use the donations to help the survivors of the Central Mexico earthquake.

“We’ll definitely send an update on their decision and we know it will be a good one!” added Jorgensen.

October 5, 2017November 4, 2017

Borrego Springs “S” Club Marches for Girls and Women

Inaugural Year for Borrego Springs “S” Club Focuses on Mexico Earthquake Assistance

2017 Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs “S” Club

With the school season in full swing, Borrego Springs High School students, in partnership with Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs and Soroptimist International of the Americas, are in deep preparation to bring awareness and assistance to the victims of the recent earthquakes that rocked Mexico City and central Mexico. Throughout August, the girls of Borrego Springs High School and Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs have teamed up to form an action club called an “S” Club. “S” Clubs are considered an outreach program of Soroptimist, and a vital way for high school students to learn about serving others and helping their communities both near and far. The recently established Borrego Springs High School “S” Club has selected their first project; to bring awareness and fundraising efforts to the victims of the Central Mexico earthquake that left 361 people dead and over 6,000 people injured.

“With all the recent news of hurricanes and other tragedies around the world, our ‘S’ Club wants to focus their energy and effort into reminding others that Mexico still needs assistance and to raise awareness and funds for victims of the recent earthquake there,” says Judy Stewart, Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs Treasurer. “These girls are passionate about helping other girls and women, including those who went through the trauma of the earthquake and the continuing issues they face in its aftermath.”

To kick off the “S” Club’s year of action, 22 Borrego Springs “S” Club members will march in the Borrego Days Desert Festival parade, on Saturday, October 21, with Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs. Also, throughout the festival, “S” Club members will engage with festival visitors and local community members at their awareness booth to educate others about the various causes they are committed to working on this season.

They can’t wait to share their passion with Borrego Springs, San Diego County and the world!

“Our ‘S’ Club invites all festival attendees to stop by their booth, say hello and learn about the projects they will embark for their inaugural year,” says Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs Media Chair, Marcie Grube. “They can’t wait to share their passion with Borrego Springs, San Diego County and the world!”

For more information about Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs, please visit www.siborregosprings.org.

ABOUT SOROPTIMIST

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., Soroptimist (www.soroptimist.org) economically empowers disadvantaged women and girls through the work of volunteers in 20 countries and territories. Its Soroptimist Dream Programs ensure women and girls have access to the education and training they need to reach their full potential.

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September 16, 2017September 16, 2017

Hello world!

New Website for Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs!

Hi everyone! We’re happy to announce we’ve upgraded our new website to the 21st century! (At long, long, long last. We knew we’ve missed the boat on this one!)

Hola from Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs — Hola! Flickr Credit: angelrravelor

Borrego Springs Soroptimists are Here to Help

It’s our hope to provide resources and assistance to the women and girls of Borrego Springs, and maybe beyond our little corner of the world, through our website and our growing social media presence.

If you have questions, want to get involved, or have a great new idea, we’d certainly love to write or talk with you! You’re welcome to leave a message on Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs’ Facebook page, or send us an email through our contact us page. The dorky smiley face is there for a reason – we want to connect with you. 🙂

This is Webmasta’ Marcie signing off!