History of Fellowship
Fellowship recognizes the value of empowering highly motivated women engaged in academic research in fields including science, technology, education, the environment, women’s issues and international relations.
History of Fellowship
Founder Region Fellowship is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation of the Founder Region, Soroptimist International of the Americas.
Since 1948, Fellowship has provided grants to women in the final phase of their doctoral degrees. It is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a president, treasurer and five directors, who represent their districts in Founder Region, elected for a 2-year term on even numbered years. Fellowship began as a committee of Founder Region and was incorporated in March 17, 1986.
According to the bylaws, Fellowships totaling a minimum of $20,000 are awarded each year to female graduate students at universities within the boundaries of the region. During the first sixty-one years of the program over $800,000 was awarded to more than 250 deserving women. During the past ten years, as the program has grown, over $600,000 has been awarded to 35 deserving women. Through these awards Founder Region Soroptimists acknowledge the value of students’ research work and enable them to complete the academic credential necessary for their careers.
All Soroptimists in Founder Region contribute $7 to Fellowship as part of their dues. In addition, clubs are asked to commit a minimum of $250 each year to this Founder Region Identifying Project.
Many clubs contribute $1,000 or more each year.
Since 1948, Fellowship has provided grants to women in the final phase of their doctoral degrees. It is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a president, treasurer and five directors, who represent their districts in Founder Region, elected for a 2-year term on even numbered years. Fellowship began as a committee of Founder Region and was incorporated in March 17, 1986.
According to the bylaws, Fellowships totaling a minimum of $20,000 are awarded each year to female graduate students at universities within the boundaries of the region. During the first sixty-one years of the program over $800,000 was awarded to more than 250 deserving women. During the past ten years, as the program has grown, over $600,000 has been awarded to 35 deserving women. Through these awards Founder Region Soroptimists acknowledge the value of students’ research work and enable them to complete the academic credential necessary for their careers.
All Soroptimists in Founder Region contribute $7 to Fellowship as part of their dues. In addition, clubs are asked to commit a minimum of $250 each year to this Founder Region Identifying Project.
Many clubs contribute $1,000 or more each year.
Past Fellowship Presidents
Thank you to these Soroptimist members who served as Fellowship President. Your service to Fellowship ensured that women
received the support and encouragement to achieve their advanced degrees, so they too can live their dreams.
received the support and encouragement to achieve their advanced degrees, so they too can live their dreams.
Cheryl Poncini
President 2020-2022
SI/Oakland-The Founder Club
"Education Inspires Big Dreams"
SI/Oakland-The Founder Club
"Education Inspires Big Dreams"
Treasurer - Teresa Karlson
Fellowship Directors:
District I - Billie Knight
District II - Dana Holve
District III - Fawn Williams
District IV - Crystal Arbuthnot
District V - Denise Ridge
Fellowship Directors:
District I - Billie Knight
District II - Dana Holve
District III - Fawn Williams
District IV - Crystal Arbuthnot
District V - Denise Ridge
Pam Parker
President 2018-2020
SI/St. Helena Sunrise
"Empowering Change through Education"
SI/St. Helena Sunrise
"Empowering Change through Education"
Fellowship Directors:
District I - Cheryl Poncini
District II - Jan Schults
District III - Teri Malkin
District IV - Nancy Weber
District V - Crystal Arbuthnot
District VI - Rena Borja
District I - Cheryl Poncini
District II - Jan Schults
District III - Teri Malkin
District IV - Nancy Weber
District V - Crystal Arbuthnot
District VI - Rena Borja
Bobbi Enderlin
President 2016-2018
SI/Benicia
“Education Creates Shining Stars”
SI/Benicia
“Education Creates Shining Stars”
Fellowship Directors:
District I - Cheryl Poncini
District II - Bev Gomer
District III - Fawn Williams
District IV - Linda Bradbrook
District V - Sharon Valenti
District VI - Rena Borja
District I - Cheryl Poncini
District II - Bev Gomer
District III - Fawn Williams
District IV - Linda Bradbrook
District V - Sharon Valenti
District VI - Rena Borja
Carol Steele
President 2014-2016
SI/Fort Bragg
"Share the Joy of Learning & Education"
SI/Fort Bragg
"Share the Joy of Learning & Education"
Fellowship Directors:
District I - Carolyn Bolton
District II - Terri Enns
District III - Shannon Richards
District IV - Linda Bradbrook
District V - Joann Hunt
District VI - Lorene Hopkins
District I - Carolyn Bolton
District II - Terri Enns
District III - Shannon Richards
District IV - Linda Bradbrook
District V - Joann Hunt
District VI - Lorene Hopkins
Linda Sue Hansen
President 2012-2014
SI/Vallejo Gateway
"Shining the Light on Education"
SI/Vallejo Gateway
"Shining the Light on Education"
Fellowship Directors:
District I - Carolyn Bolton
District II - Lenore Colrusso
District III - Bonnie Silveria
District IV - Harriette Minear
District V - Grace Sharples
District VI - Judy Lee
District I - Carolyn Bolton
District II - Lenore Colrusso
District III - Bonnie Silveria
District IV - Harriette Minear
District V - Grace Sharples
District VI - Judy Lee
Joyce Strand
President 2010-2012
SI/Oakland-The Founder Club
"Keys of Knowledge"
SI/Oakland-The Founder Club
"Keys of Knowledge"
Fellowship Directors:
District I - Lynn Levin
District II - Terry Comiskey
District III - Mina Byrne
District IV - Linda Simon
District V - Tess Albin-Smith
District VI - Judy Lee
District I - Lynn Levin
District II - Terry Comiskey
District III - Mina Byrne
District IV - Linda Simon
District V - Tess Albin-Smith
District VI - Judy Lee
Barbara Lanier
President 2008-2010
SI/El Cerrito
“Reach For The Stars”
SI/El Cerrito
“Reach For The Stars”
Fellowship Directors:
District I - Gloria Bragg
District II - Judi Parent-Smith
District III - Linda Bozorgnia
District IV - Jeanne Griffits
District V - Tess Albin-Smith
District VI - Sandra Simms
District I - Gloria Bragg
District II - Judi Parent-Smith
District III - Linda Bozorgnia
District IV - Jeanne Griffits
District V - Tess Albin-Smith
District VI - Sandra Simms
Dion Weaver
President 2006-2008
SI/Antioch
“Investing In The Future, One Woman At A Time”
SI/Antioch
“Investing In The Future, One Woman At A Time”
Fellowship Directors:
District I - Karen Ortega
District II - Gloria Soderbery
District III - Linda Glantz
District IV - Linda Bradbrook
District V - Sarah Olson Turner
District VI - Lorraine Teniya
District I - Karen Ortega
District II - Gloria Soderbery
District III - Linda Glantz
District IV - Linda Bradbrook
District V - Sarah Olson Turner
District VI - Lorraine Teniya
Mary Ann Redden
President 2004-2006
SI/Antioch
“Getting It Done Together”
SI/Antioch
“Getting It Done Together”
Treasurer - Teresa Karlson
Fellowship Directors:
District I - Barbara Lanier
District II - Gloria Soderbery
District III - Barbie Slavens
District IV - Kris Wiley
District V - Barbara Ideta
Fellowship Directors:
District I - Barbara Lanier
District II - Gloria Soderbery
District III - Barbie Slavens
District IV - Kris Wiley
District V - Barbara Ideta
Linda Sue Hansen
President 2002-2004
SI/Vallejo Gateway
SI/Vallejo Gateway
Fellowship Directors:
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Linda McDoniels
President 2000-2002
SI/St. Helena Sunrise
SI/St. Helena Sunrise
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Nancy Walker
President 1998-2000
SI/St. Helena Sunrise
SI/St. Helena Sunrise
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Dorothy Avila
President 1996-1998
SI/Oakland-The Founder Club
SI/Oakland-The Founder Club
Treasurer - Teresa Karlson
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Del Nickerson
President 1992-1996
SI/Oakland-The Founder Club
SI/Oakland-The Founder Club
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Norma Rhoads
President 1988-1992
SI/Oakland-The Founder Club
SI/Oakland-The Founder Club
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Julia "Bess" Combs
President 1986-1988
SI/Oakland-The Founder Club
SI/Oakland-The Founder Club
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