Soroptimists honor Penn Township woman
Soroptimist International of Butler County will recognize Judy Barkley as its 2020 Ruby Award winner at its Spring Fling luncheon.
The luncheon, originally scheduled April 4, has been postponed due to concerns about the novel coronavirus 2019.
“The international headquarters has urged Soroptimists in North America, Japan and Korea to postpone all group gatherings at least through April 15,” said Susan Levish, the Butler Soroptimist Chapter president. “We will announce an alternate date as soon as possible. All tickets sold to date will be honored.
“We are, however, very excited to honor Judy, a strong community champion.”
Barkley has worked with the Butler County Humane Society for more than 35 years and is still an honorary society board member. She was a driving force behind the capital campaign to move the organization to its current building on Route 68, was instrumental in changing the organization to a no-kill shelter and worked with trustees to complete the adoption center for the Humane Society building.
Barkley remains a tireless fundraiser for the society, having helped to raise money through private donors and the annual Fur Ball.
“Away from the humane society, Judy is often referred to as 'The Basket Lady,'” said Becky Plymale, who is the Soroptimist award chairwoman. “She loves to arrange baskets for a number of fundraisers, adding just the right touch.”
Barkley also has served on the boards of Lifesteps, the Butler County Symphony, Butler County Association for the Blind, BHS Foundation and candystripers.
As a champion of education, Barkley, along with several others, helped to initiate Hill United Presbyterian Church's neighborhood outreach drop-in program for children, now called Wednesdays on the Hill.
For years, she taught Sunday school or was involved in the communicants class and youth programs. Barkley sings in the choir and supports music programs.
She was an advocate for children through her involvement with the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities and Butler's Junior First Grade program. She also was a volunteer teacher for GED classes.
Barkley and her husband, Jack, live in Penn Township and usually foster one or two shelter dogs. She has two children and four grandchildren.
Two $1,000 education grants will be also be awarded through the club's Live Your Dream program.“The Soroptimist mission is 'Investing in Dreams' and awarding grants to help disadvantaged women is one way we are doing that,” Levish said.Live Your Dream Awards will be presented to two single mothers who are enrolled in college and working to improve their lives and those of their children.A scholarship to a Dale Carnegie Training Course will also be presented to one of the Live Your Dream award winners by Carnegie manager Kathleen Himler.
The future event will have a Hawaiian flair and feature vendors and a basket and 50/50 raffles.“The theme will lend a splash of color and a bit more fun to our annual awards and fundraising luncheon,” Levish said.Tickets are available by contacting a club member or by calling 724-321-1309 or 724-524-1675.Proceeds will benefit club programs such as A Place to Lay My Head, which provides furnishings for apartments for women and children who came from difficult circumstances — including homelessness, battered homes or witness protection — working with the Butler County Housing Authority and the Lighthouse Foundation.The Soroptimists also sponsor a city Girl Scout troop, spend time with seniors through the group's Angel program and create blankets for cancer patients through its Michelle's Mission committee.New Soroptimist members are welcome, Levish said. Members must be 18 or older. For more information, email suelevish@gmail.com or call 724-822-7945. The group also has a Facebook page, visit Soroptimists International of Butler County.
