Live Your Dream Awards Luncheon, Boutique & Fashion Show

Soroptimist International of San Diego presented the Live Your Dream Awards Luncheon, Boutique, and Fashion Show on March 9 at the Sycuan Resort.

The event started with a fun shopping boutique featuring 16 local vendors. The items ranged from jewelry, and handbags, to garments. The guests adjourned for lunch where they were greeted by Erin Liddell who was the auctioneer for the afternoon.

The theme for the day was “Make Yourself Count” celebrating the Soroptimist Live Your Dream awardees and Soroptimist of San Diego Woman of Accomplishment. TV personalities Rory Devine and Geni Cavitt were the MCs for the afternoon. Judy Lawton chaired the event. During the ceremony, 11 deserving awardees were recognized and celebrated. The top winner, Gissell Ruiz, is a single mother who is going to Cuyamaca College and plans to become a registered nurse.

All of these women are the primary financial supporters of their families. These outstanding women will receive cash to advance their education, skills, and employment prospects. Soroptimist International of San Diego empowers women to achieve economic independence through education and training.

The fashion show began after the luncheon with the runway choreographed and coordinated by Gretchen Bergman. The models came down the runway showing off the trends from local boutiques. One of the “aahs” and “oohs” from the audience were the Mommy and Me matching dresses by Lydia Niebla. The highlight scene was shimmering gowns by Macy’s Grossmont Center. Gretchen Bergman always included entertainment with her runway shows, which included singers Khara Rice, Leo Sandoval, Joey Molina, and Sky Molina.
The goal of the Soroptimist International of San Diego is to empower every woman and girl to maximize their potential. The vision of this global volunteer organization is to see that women and girls have the resources and opportunities to reach their full potential and live their dreams. Educational grants support female residents of a local sober-living home, raise public awareness against human trafficking in San Diego, and maintain a carpet school in Turkey for impoverished women and Syrian refugees. For more information about the Soroptimist International of San Diego, visit sisandiego.org/.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, Jan. 27, to April 27: “A Splendid Decennium: Victorian to Vanguard: featuring the art of the fiber artist Mary Ornish at the Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House (gaslampfoundation.org/visit) and the Vila Montezuma Museum (villamontezumamuseum.org). Check websites for days and hours.

Saturday, March 16: Razkal Market and Fashion Show at the Queen Bee’s Art & Cultural Center from 3-10 p.m. For tickets: bit.ly/3TxoVwI.

Monday, March 18: installation reception for “Epic Expressions: Shahnameh by Seven Female Artists” at the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park from 5-7 p.m. Registration is at the door and is free to all. Installation runs through May 31.

Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned Couture Milliner based in the San Diego area. Learn more about our hat designer, teacher, and blogger at DianaCavagnaro.com.