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Soroptimist Honors Local Young Woman with the Violet Richardson Award
Recently, Soroptimist International of 24/680 honored Hailey Makinson with their Violet Richardson award for her community service with Remix Racing.
This award recognizes young women ages 14-18 for exceptional community service. As a volunteer service organization, Soroptimist believes that by acknowledging young women's volunteer involvement now, they will grow up to be vital, active members of the community.
Hailey is 17 years old and the Program Director and Youth Ambassador of the Remix Racing project in Concord. The Remix Racing Project is a non profit organization dedicated to fighting mental health and addiction stigma by raising awareness, smashing stereotypes and creating brave spaces. Their goal is to show people that stereotypes have no power and you can fight against stigma. As the Youth Ambassador in this organization, Hailey is excited to share the teen outreach program with other youth by telling her story and inspiring other teens who feel hopeless, confused, or lost to take pride in their mental health, and to chase their dreams no matter how big or small. So far, the Remix Racing project has impacted over 2,500 people during their first year and will continue to see how many hearts can be touched.To learn more about the Remix Racing Project and Hailey visit https://theremixracingproject.com/remixracing/bio-hailey-makinson/ .
Hailey grew up in a reality where many things were broken. At the age of 10 her mom was diagnosed with aggressive cancer and her father was abusive. For the first 14 years of her life she felt alone, incapable, unlovable, and unwanted, which left her very depressed. Although her family knew she wanted the to follow her brother as a motorbike racer, she was taught that society doesn't believe in girls riding or racing.
Fortunately, in 2021, her mom finally let Hailey ride her first motorbike. They would go to the track having no idea what they were doing but just knowing they wanted to be there. When she first rode a motorcycle she had no idea it would be the thing that saved her life. What makes her unique is she is one of the 19% of women in the world who ride motorcycles.
This year, she started racing and finished the season with 1st and 3rd place championships.
Hailey is thankful to her Mom everyday, for teaching her that it is okay to feel not okay, but it is not okay to give up.
Founded in 1921 in Oakland, Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement with a mission to economically empower women and girls by providing access to education, the single most effective anti-poverty intervention.
Members of Soroptimist International of 24-680 continue to volunteer our time and talents to realize the mission of our global organization. Annually our local chapter applies our fundraising efforts to presenting these grants to help women and girls to improve lives. We also provide grants in our region to women in the final phase of their doctoral degree thereby affirming the importance of the recipients' work and value as an individual in fields that have great social importance to the world.
For more information about Soroptimist of 24-680 of Walnut Creek or if you know of a high school girl that contributed to the community and may be eligible for the Violet Richardson award visit www.soroptimist24-680.org/programs or email us at siof24.680@gmail.com . Please consider donating to our organization to support our programs that continue to make a difference in the lives of women and girls.
Prepared by Lisa Schibler
President, Soroptimist International of 24-680
lschibler13@gmail.com
Soroptimist (SI/24/680)
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Lisa Member, Soroptimist International of 24-680
- September 30, 2024
- 1-925-989-6282
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