Local Teen Wins Award
Loni Cohen of Glen Ellyn is the winner of the 2013 Violet Richardson Award presented by Soroptimist International of Suburban Chicago. The Violet Richardson Award recognizes a young woman 14-17 years old who makes the world a better place through volunteer efforts that demonstrate leadership and benefit women and girls.
Loni serves as Programming Vice President for the Chicago Area Region of the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY). NFTY is a National youth movement uniting Jewish teens from nineteen regions across North America. Not only is NFTY a youth movement, it is also a youth led movement, with each region electing a board consisting of seven teens.
As Programming Vice President and a member of the Regional Board, Loni has displayed organization, presentation and time management skills while developing meaningful programs that address teen issues while promoting discussion and team building. She has developed relevant and thought provoking programs designed to help other teens gain self-confidence as they find their “voice”. The retreats and social gatherings that she initiates are designed to encourage other teens to get involved in their communities.
What began as a volunteer extra-curricular activity while attending Glenbard West has now turned into the most influential experience in her life. Loni will receive a check and official recognition at the Suburban Chicago annual awards luncheon on May 18th.
Soroptimist International of Suburban Chicago is a volunteer organization of business and professional women dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Suburban Chicago club is part of Soroptimist International which includes over 90,000 members in more than 120 countries and territories who contribute time and financial support to community-based projects that benefit women. In addition to participating in the Violet Richardson Award, Soroptimist International of Suburban Chicago has three additional grants for women and girls. For more information about Soroptimism or the awards, call Diane Kegley at (708) 865-0145 or e-mail the club at siofsuburban.chicago@soroptimist.net