Soroptimist International of Rio Vista Empowers Women

This is the second year that SIRV has awarded two deserving young women of Rio Vista with the Women’s Empowerment Award, an award that is investing in the dreams of young women in our community.

Mailelani Bennett found as she graduated from high school that deciding her future was a daunting task. Though she graduated with a 4.5 GPA, she wasn’t sure what her passion was yet. Due to some difficulties at home, she moved out joining the workforce, saving while she decided what to set her sights on.

Making a decision to attend Contra Costa Medical Career College in 2019, she decided on a field in medical assisting. After being hired by Rio Vista Holistic Health Center, she realized her passion was to help others. She enrolled in Los Medanos Community College taking classes to be a Registered Nurse and a licensed Phlebotomist.

Recipient Diana Elisea was raised in Rio Vista. The oldest of three children, Diana began her medical career in 2017 at Carrington College. She made the Deans’ Honor Role graduating with a 4.3 GPA. Diana is now a student at Trinity School of Natural Health, studying to become a Bach Flower Practitioner. Bach Flowers are a safe and natural method of healing, and help to restore the balance between mind and body.

This coming summer/fall, Diana will attend Cosumes River College in Elk Grove. Her educational aspirations consist of continuing her medical career as either a Registered Nurse in Pediatrics or becoming a Cardiac Sonographer.

Diana works at Rio Vista Holistic Health Center. She is bilingual, and enjoys helping translate for the patients that come to Rio Vista Holistic Health Center that cannot speak English.

Both of these outstanding young women received $1,000 from the Rio Vista Soroptimist’s Women’s Empowerment Scholarship fund which will help them in achieving their goals.

If you are interested in learning more about the Soroptimist organization, please contact Membership co-chairs, Deborah Roden (925) 588-5091 or Wanda Apel (925) 325-9252. Visit us at http://siriovista.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Soroptimist-International- f-Rio-Vista and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/si_riovista.