Violet Awards 2021 – “Women of Action”
Milton Keynes Soroptimist Club works to support vulnerable women and girls both internationally, nationally and locally. One of the ways we do this is via our links to local charities working directly with vulnerable women in Milton Keynes:
MK Act, MK YMCA, British Red Cross, Winter Night Shelter MK and Works for Us.
Soroptimism is an international movement, which started 100 years ago, is an international women’s voluntary organisation working to improve the lives of women and girls locally, nationally and at an international level.
We are Soroptimists.
Women inspiring action, transforming lives.
We are vibrant, dynamic and like-minded women,
Working on global to local projects that help improve the lives of women and girls.
2021 is our centenary year of celebrations and as part of that Soroptimists International Milton Keynes are piloting an Award dedicated to Violet Richardson Ward, our founder. We wanted to celebrate the work of unsung female heroes in this city by presenting an award to a member of staff or volunteer from our linked charities or friends of Soroptimists who has gone above and beyond their normal roles during this past year when Covid has had such a big impact on how our local charities, their staff and volunteers have had to very quickly adapt and continue to deliver a service for their clients, not only ensuring the safety of their clients but that of their staff and volunteers too. These awards are named after Violet Richardson Ward, one of the founding members of the first Soroptimist club back in 1921 in Oakland California. Her life time motto was “It’s What you do that counts” sound words to live by. And therefore, hence the name Violet Awards for “Women of Action”. It’s what you do that counts.
On the 3 September 2021, we held our Violet Awards for “Women of Action”. Women linked with local front-line charities and groups including The British Red Cross, Works for Us, MK ACT, MK YMCA, The Winter Night Shelter, Woughton Trust & MK Dons SET had been nominated by their mangers and were recognised and celebrated. It was a privilege to say thank you to all of the nominees for their unstinting dedication to the users of their charities. Every nominee received a certificate, flowers and a Violet heart but there had to be one winner. Chief Inspector Kelly Gardner, Deputy Police Commander Thames Valley Police presented overall winner Ruth Legh Smith from Winter Night Shelter with her award for her unselfish devotion. Her story was truly inspiring and we say well done Ruth.
This evening was all about the women working, volunteering for their charities and their stories of devotion and hard work which were told by their managers. It was an inspiring event and it also helped each of the charities to have a good catch up after the lockdown easing. We must never forget all the commitment and hard work carried out by our charities, their volunteers and staff. We thank them.