Soroptimist International of Ceres last week recognized a number of women inside and outside of its organization who make the Ceres community a better place.

Club President Kristi Britton welcomed guests to its annual “Women of Distinction” Awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 18.

The guest speaker for the event was Debbie Smernes of Ceres Drug Store.

Amy Peterman presented the Women of Distinction awards.

Two local businesses were honored as “Local Business Partners.” They were Debbie Smernes of Ceres Drug Store and Gena and Randy Beard of the Doghouse Taproom.

Lourdes Perez was honored with the Central Valley Latino Leadership Award as well as the “Soroptimist of the Year.”

Renee Ledbetter, Jordan Ledbetter and Brandy Meyer were honored for their work with the Ceres Chamber of Commerce.

“Renee and Jordan are mother-daughter and very involved in the Chamber,” said Peterman. “Soroptimists of Ceres was named Community Service Organization of the year, and we wanted to thank Renee and Jordan for their support and for being strong and involved women in the Ceres community.”

Meyer is a member and is the current Chamber president who “works tirelessly to support anything and everything happening in Ceres,” Peterman said.

Debbie Johnson and Kimberly Martinez of “Without Permission,” an organization that fights against human trafficking in the area, were also honored. The organization was also thanked for conducting workshops for junior high girls as part of the Soroptimist Empowering Teens (SET) program.

Staff members at three schools were recognized as “SET Partners.” Every three months, members go to the three junior high schools as mentors and conduct workshops to girls. The girls are taught such things as internet safety, table etiquette, goal setting, making thank-you cards and invitations.

SET partners Heather Houtchens of Blaker Kinser Junior High School, Lyzette Mendoza of Cesar Chavez Junior High School and Gina Tonarelli of Mae Hensley Junior High School were thanked and applauded for their efforts to enrich the lives of girls. All three have been instrumental in helping to bring back in-person events for the first time in two years.

Special recognition was given to Soroptimist member Carol Lubinsky who is retiring next month as principal of Central Valley High School.

The ceremony paid thanks to Ceres High School “S” Club advisor Alyssa Bailey for her leadership in her first year.

“She has been a wonderful partner by leading community service at Ceres High, participating in Girl of the Month luncheons, and bringing guest speakers to SET workshops,” said Peterman.

Esmeralda Cabadas was bestowed with the “Live Your Dream” Education & Training Awards. Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Awards program is an education award for women who provide the primary financial support for their families. The award gives women some financial resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.

Lourdes Perez was honored with the Central Valley Latino Leadership Award as well as the “Soroptimist of the Year.”

A Soroptimist member, Perez was recognized last fall for her role in supporting the Latino community in her professional and personal roles, including as a CUSD school board member.

She was selected as “Soroptimist of the Year,” Peterman noted, for her “tireless work helping with events and fundraisers and for leading high school program called ‘Dream It, Be It,’ focused on career workshops for high school students.”

Perez strives to help improve the lives of others after making it through a number of uphill challenges that started before she became a Mexican immigrant.

A member of the Ceres Unified School District board, Perez labels herself as a public servant who loves to help others.

Perez lived a happy childhood growing up in Michoacan, Mexico, despite an abusive alcoholic father who beat her mother. She cowered in the corner trembling during the assaults. Because of her grandparents who came to the rescue, Lourdes said she was able to come out of shock and fear. She spent three years with her grandparents before coming to the United States.

The family came to the U.S. on a temporary visa so her parents could work in the fields and on dairies. Lourdes was 15 then and started attending Modesto High School as a freshman. She was inspired by her uncle and aunt who pushed her to learn and read English. As an immigrant student in basic courses, Lourdes said she struggled through discrimination.

A trip to Washington, D.C. for a weeklong conference was a turning point for Perez. She learned leadership skills and taught her to understand what civic engagement means.

Perez earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and worked in the private sector. About 14 years ago she was hired by the Center for Human Resources to work in the Ceres Partnership office. The non-profit organization offers programs and services to families in need which strengthen them.

The club also honored Charter member Sophie Pallios for 50 years of membership and life member JoAnn Haglund for her 44 years.

Four members of the club were recognized for being longtime members. They are Donna Strickler, (39 years); Bonnie White Silveria, (33 years); Arlene Vilas, (31 years); and Isabel McKay, (29 years).