Fashion show planned by Butler Soroptimists
“Live Your Dream” becomes a reality April 21 at the annual Soroptimist International of Butler County fashion show.
The event, at the Butler Country Club, begins at 10 a.m. and features fashions from Butler, Ford City and Grove City retailers.
“This is actually a slogan from Soroptimists International,” said Donna Reeder, co-chairwoman of the fashion show that has the theme “Live your dream and inspire the lives of others.”
Reeder said the words embody the Soroptimist goal to help women and girls achieve their full potential.
In addition to fashions, the event will feature a noon lunch, 25 to 30 theme baskets, a drawing, a shoppers’ bazaar, door prizes and an awards presentation.
“We have just about every space at the country club taken,” said Reeder.
“We wanted to get a wider range,” added Reeder of the retailers at this year’s event, the club’s 25th. “We wanted to include plus-size women and teens.”
“We really have a great cross section this year of all fashions and all ages. We have tailored men’s clothing and children’s clothing,” she said.
The Butler County group is nearing its 60th anniversary. It was chartered on Jan. 29, 1953.
Taking its name from the Latin words “soro” meaning sister and “optima” meaning the best, soroptimist, freely translated, means “the best for women.”
The Butler group’s members award two cash scholarships annually: the Woman of Distinction and the Violet Richardson Award.
The Woman of Distinction is given to a female head of household trying to improve her skills, while the Violet Richardson Award goes to a young woman for her community service.
The Butler Soroptimists also recognize a club member and a woman of the community for their excellence in improving the lives of others with the Ruby Award. A cash donation is made in their behalf to a charity of the awardee’s choice.
The group also awards a cash scholarship at Butler County Community College annually to a woman student.
In addition, the group awards community service grants each year to projects that fund the club mission: best for women.
“Fifteen agencies from Butler County, who requested grants, presented a short summary to our club members at the March meeting,” said Barbara Brandon, co-chairwoman of the event. “A committee will then choose which agencies will receive the grants.”
From 2007 to 2011, the Butler Soroptimists gave out more than $28,000 in grants and $10,000 in scholarships.
