April Zinser is the 2006 recipient of Soroptimist International of Chowchilla’s Women’s Opportunity Award. This program, which begins at the club level, was created in 1972 to help women improve their ability to provide for their families. It targets women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families and provides them with the financial resources to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education or additional skills and training. The award can be used for tuition, books, childcare, carfare, or any other education-related expense. Zinser is working toward an RN License.

You won’t have to look further than Merced to find an inspirational woman who has endured difficult circumstances, but carries on with courage and determination. She is a hero to Merced Office of Education, where she attends classes and participates in ROP Program. And most important, she is a hero to her son, who gave his mother a reason to leave an abusive relationship and seek a better life.

President Sheila Noel, Women’s Opportunity Award Winner April Zinser, Merced County Office of Education ROP Instructor Jonnie Lucas, Soroptimist International of Merced member Evelyn Eagleton

April Zinser, 24, has inspired us with her profound story of struggle and triumph. For that, we recently granted her the Soroptimist International of Chowchilla’s Women’s Opportunity Award. On March 14th, Chowchilla Soroptimist honored April at a luncheon and presented her with an award and a certificate. April will use the $350 award to finish her RN Program and find a job that will secure her economic dependence. April was accompanied by Jonnie Lucas, Instructor, Office of Technology in Medical Environment, Merced County Office of Education, ROP Adult class; and Evelyn Eagleton, Assistant Superintendent, Merced County Office of Education & a Soroptimist International of Merced member.

The Women’s Opportunity Awards program is Soroptimist International of the Americas’ major service project. Soroptimist International of Chowchilla is one of 1,500 clubs that make up Soroptimist International of the Americas, an international volunteer service organization for business and professional women dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world.

Each year, more than $850,000 is provided in cash grants to women in need. Since the program’s inception in 1972, approximately $15 million in Women’s Opportunity Awards has been disbursed to about 22,500 women throughout the countries served by Soroptimist International of the America’s.

April was chosen as the ward recipient from among 3 area applicants. She will now advance to the Soroptimist Sierra Pacific Region award level, where one recipient will receive a $5,000 award. Should she receive that award, April would then be eligible for an additional $10,000 Women’s Opportunity Award.

April Zinser joins a long list of women who have reclaimed their dreams since 1972 with the help of the Women’s Opportunity Awards. Chowchilla Soroptimist President Sheila Noel also presented April with a “Live Your Dream” pin. April was encouraged to wear the pin to remind herself and encourage everyone she meets to live their dream. These pins are also available for a donation, to anyone interested in wearing one or giving them away. When you wear this pin, or give it to a woman you care about, you are signaling your support of all women to follow their dreams. You can help ensure that women like April can reclaim their dreams for a better life. Funds raised through this campaign will fund our local Women’s Opportunity Award as well as local projects benefiting women and girls. Get your pin today and wear it for April and the many women out there who believe in theirs dreams enough to overcome enormous hardships in their quest for a better life.

For more information call Sheila Noel at (559) 665-5199.