Thank you to A Sista’s Touch for organizing the sixth successful “We Run Oakland: For Our Children.” an annual family/community event designed to focus on our collective responsibility to STOP human trafficking. Held on September 16 at Oakland Technical High School, SI of Oakland was one of the dozens of sponsors of the event. We had an information table and met scores of interesting and devoted community members, enjoyed our comradery, and were smiling from the time we stretched in the warmup exercises until we crossed the finish line. President Kenya addressed the audience with warmth and enthusiasm.

April 15, 2023 - The Soroptimist Club of Oakland celebrating young girls in our community with a day of friendship, play, and empowerment, and of course a new pair of shoes! The girls had a chance to meet with different club members who talked about their career paths all while the girls enjoyed art projects, connecting with one another and just enjoying being girls!  Thirty-five girls participate from two Oakland Schools, Madison Park Academy and Horace Mann Elementary.  Fifteen Soroptimist members particated as mentors.

We’re pleased to announce our new member, Nahid Aria, installed on Thursday by Membership Chair Portia Stewart and witnessed by President Kay Taylor.  Nahid chairs the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office Diversity Committee and is a tireless advocate for women’s rights in Afghanistan.  Welcome, Nahid!

SIO Secretary Kenya Broadnax (left/first) spearheaded SIO’s two-hour mentoring session for women ages 12-19 at a local human trafficking diversion program last Saturday. Members Kenya, Sheila Wang (center/second), and Clarissa Jackson (right/third) led the workshop that included a presentation and resume writing session. SIO members were joined by two women from A Sista’s Touch, a local group supporting women and girls that co-sponsored Oakland’s “walk against human trafficking” in August.

Sheila relayed how several ambitious high school and early college age participants were looking forward to learning about job opportunities and internships. “The resume workshop is just the session they need.“

Kenya noted that the workshop gave the younger age group "a head start to evaluate themselves and identify skills and qualities they can incorporate into their resume for the future."

​Clarissa met several potential candidates for the Soroptimist's Live Your Dream  Award that she chairs.

​Congratulations for the very successful mentorship event!

SIO members were a proud team in yesterday's 5th Annual 5K Run/Walk for Human Trafficking Awareness.  The spirited event at Oakland's Lake Merritt had over 200 participants and featured remarkable women community activists.  SIO was one of the many sponsors, and our information table helped spread our vision.

Soroptimists added spice to this year's awards program by modeling their fashion choices.  Who'd of thought it would be so much fun?

Our generous donors made possible generous awards this year. Live Your Dream Award: First Place: Tinah Namitala,  Second Place: Marlo Ornelas.  Violet Richardson Award: First Place: Ravynne Oliver,  Second Place: Gabrielle Goncalves  Third Place: Harper Valentine.  Ruby Award  Adamaka Adaelo, Self-E-STEM. Community Award: Self - E-STEM,  Emerge , and Cinnamon Girls..

Congratulations to all of the winners, and thank you for telling your stories at the May 7th Awards Event!

On April 16, thirty-five Oakland grade school girls attended our annual Steps to Success event, a fun and inspiring career day for low-income elementary school girls. Also known as the Shoe Project, this is our club’s signature event. Here are some of the girls with their new pair of very popular Vans shoes to remind them to continue their steps to success.