Nominations sought for Soroptimists Ruby Award

(From Soroptimist International of Joplin)

Nominations are being sought for the Soroptimist Ruby Award, which recognizes outstanding women in our community.

The public is invited to submit nominees for the annual Soroptimist International of Joplin Ruby Award.
This award recognizes and honors the first Soroptimist International Federation president, Ruby Lee Minar. This award honors non-Soroptimist women who have worked to improve the lives of women and girls through their professional and/or volunteer work.

A ruby is a deep red gemstone associated with wisdom, importance, vitality, strength, vivacity, power, and love: all words embodying the strong and compassionate women who are award recipients. 

Past recipients have included Dr. Cheryl Fogarty for her international obstetric work, former Joplin mayor Melodee Colbert-Keen as a role model for women interested in government leadership, and Stephanie Brady, executive director of the Joplin Community Clinic.

The awardee will be a guest at the annual Soroptimist International of Joplin banquet held on Thursday, June 18, at 6 pm at Club 1201 in Joplin.

If you know a woman who has improved the lives of women and girls in our community, nomination forms are available at www.joplinsoroptimist.org/awards, or by contacting Jennifer Reeves, Ruby Award Committee Chair at 417.59206790, or at jreeves@midmobank.com. Deadline is Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Soroptimist International of Joplin is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas, a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. 

The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards® is the signature project of Soroptimist International of the Americas. Soroptimist, a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations to support its programs, also powers LiveYourDream.org—an online community offering offline volunteer opportunities in support of women and girls.

For more information about how Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls, visit www.soroptimist.org, www.joplinsoroptimist.org, or www.facebook.com/SIJoplin.