DOWNEY - Soroptimist International of Downey will recognize several women from the community during a breakfast event March 11 at the Rio Hondo Event Center.The Women of Distinction Award honors community members "who are working to improve the lives of women and girls through personal, professional or volunteer efforts." This year the award will be presented to Judith McDonnell, retired city clerk for the city of Downey; Lucy Perez, coordinator of the TLC Family Resource Center; Jannel Rap, founder of the Gina for Missing Persons Foundation; and Barbara Samperi, Downey Unified School District school board member. Additionally, Dr. Yaga Szlachcic, chair of medicine and chief cardiology at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, will be honored with the Ruby Award for her work on behalf of women with spinal cord injuries. Szlachcic created a support group for women with spinal cord injuries and said she hopes Rancho "will become a model center for women with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities." Christina Carrera, a student at Warren High School, will be honored with the Violet Richardson Award for "making a difference in women and children's lives through her volunteer work." The event begins at 7:30 a.m. For information on reservations, e-mail BethCrawford@ymcala.org.

********** Published: February 26, 2010 - Volume 8 - Issue 45