No Man’s Land Film Festival Napa Valley

Thank you for joining us in our 15th year of Napa Valley Film Festivals but our first showing of No Man's Land Film Festival World Tour at The Cameo. Over 110 film goers were blown away by the power of the 10 captivating short films from No Man's Land. The films showcased individuals challenging societal norms, embracing unique outdoor experiences, and inspired us all to break down barriers together.

A special thank you to the specular Meuse Gallery for donating their beautiful space, our very generous sponsors, and silent auction treasures donated by our kind local business owners. The wine, bubbles, and special treats donated by Clif Family Winery, Karl Lawrence, Sunshine Market, and Schramsberg were savored by all!

We are grateful for our generous sponsors, donors, and film goers who carried on the tradition to help raise $12,000 for NEWS, Girls on the Run North Bay, and St. Helena Sunrise Soroptimist International!

It was an honor to meet the caring and bold new leaders who were awarded the Maggie Friedrich & Deanna Becker Scholarships, Blythe Brakesman & Aubrey Moura!

BENEFICIARIES

NEWS - Domestic Violence & Sexual Abuse Services

Girls On The Run North Bay

Soroptimist International of St. Helena Sunrise

Each year, our club participates in three Soroptimist scholarship and award programs.  Through these programs, we recognize young girls and non-Soroptimist women for their accomplishments in our community.

Each award has its own set of guidelines, application process, and gift.  Check out each program's details.  

Let us know if we can recognize you, or someone you know.

The Deanna Becker 2024 AwardEE

This is a Founder Region specific award, given in honor of Violet Richardson – the president of the first Soroptimist club in Alameda County in 1921.  Richardson believed in personal responsibility and the motto, “It's what you do that counts.” She lived her life accordingly, as an active member in her community who was committed to creating opportunities for girls and young women. Soroptimist established this award to honor the memory of this unique woman and her dedication to volunteer action.

Application Guidelines:

• Honors young women between the ages of 14 and 17 for their volunteer action(s)

• Applicants must live in St Helena

• Past awardees have participated in fighting drugs, crime and violence prevention, and creating reading programs for underprivileged children

The Violet Richardson Award program begins at the local Soroptimist club level, where applications are reviewed.  One applicant is recognized with a certificate and gift for her charity organization.  Each of the Founder Region’s awardees then compete to be selected as the Region’s awardee, recognized at our annual conference.

The Ruby Award

This award honors non-Soroptimist women who are making extraordinary efforts on behalf of other women. This award gives the club and the entire organization the opportunity to say “thank you” and encourage others to explore ways to assist women.

Application Guidelines:

•  Has worked to improve the lives of women and girls

•  Has had a significant impact on the lives of women and girls

•  Inspires and encourages other women.

Past award winners participate in programs supporting local community efforts such as those for seniors and underprivileged. 

Do you, or someone you know, do great things for women and girls in our community?  If so, send us a request for more award and scholarship details!

The Live Your Dream Award

This program, formerly called the Women's Opportunity Award program, was established in 1972 by Soroptimist International of the Americas to assist women with primary financial responsibility for their families to obtain the skills training and education necessary to improve their employment status and standard of living for themselves and their family. 

Live Your Dream Awards applicants have faced economic and social barriers, and personal hardships that have prevented them from pursuing and achieving their educational and professional goals—until now. 

The program begins in September when clubs order and distribute the award applications, it continues through April with clubs giving awards to women in their local communities, in May district and region winners are honored at region conference, and the program concludes for the year with the announcement of the Federation winner in July. 

DEANNA K. BECKER                  MEMORIAL SCHOLArship 

In 1996, Soroptimist International of St. Helena Sunrise founded the girls' soccer team at the St. Helena High School.  At that time, there had never been a girls team, although there had been a boys soccer team for years.  The school district, at that time, indicated that in order to start a girls' soccer team, we would have to raise about $10,000.  With the help of Roger Louer (a long-time vintner and supporter of St. Helena athletics), local merchants, Ana's Cantina (who catered the event), club members, and the girls who were interested in joining the very first SHHS girls' soccer team, a fundraiser was held at the Native Sons Hall, wherein we made our goal, by raising around $12,000.  The girls' soccer team came to fruition and has been a success ever since.  Deanna Becker was an avid soccer player and coached youth soccer teams and was the first coach of the SHHS girl's JV soccer team.  Deanna was a strong role-model for our young girls.  Deanna passed away in 1997, and to honor her commitment to girls' soccer, the Soroptimist of St. Helena Sunrise club created a scholarship in her name, for a senior high school student, who has played on the girls' soccer team.   To date, we have awarded over $34,000 in Deanna's name.