Soroptimists name new president

Robbin Pearce became the 2016-2017 President of Soroptimist International of Ashland (SIA) during a joint board installation and celebration of the club’s 70th anniversary at Ashland Springs Hotel on June 13, 2016.

Pearce is a longtime Ashland resident who received a bachelor’s degree in biology and education from Southern Oregon University in 1981. She retired in 2012 after 28 years with the city of Ashland. She is the founder/owner of Birdiebags, a boutique company that offers unique, handmade, multi-use, cotton bags.

Pearce, who has been an SIA member for four years, will lead the 2016-2017 SIA Board including: Janie Burcart (president elect), Yolanda Nagel (vice president/programs), Gail Rosenberg (secretary), Julie Reeder (treasurer), Barbara Stout (assistant treasurer), Barbara Oldfield (director), Carolyn Johnson (director), and Pat Acklin (past president).

SIA provides annual scholarships for local women and girls and supports a variety of projects that advance the organization’s mission to “improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.”

For more information on Soroptimists, visit www.soroptimistrv.org or call Membership Committee Co-Chairpersons Barbara Hetland at 541-261-5755 or Adrienne Trunnell at 541-690-5209.