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By Janis Mork
May 22, 2013 (Alpine)- On May 21, Alpine Soroptomist had a special meeting to honor the organization’s Women of Achievement Award recipient, Brenda Killingbeck (pictured with program chair, Patty Tweed, and her two sons). She came with her sons, Clayton, 9, and 6-year-old Mason.
“The Women of Achievement Award is awarded to a single mom in East County trying to make a better life for herself, who is trying to support her family, enhance her career, or change careers,” said Patty Tweed, program chair.
She introduced Killingbeck and read a short biography about Killingbeck, an Alpine resident and nurse whose actions helped locate a missing elderly man.
“One day, she was concerned about an elderly patient who was extremely late for his appointment,” Tweed said. It turned out he was missing and he was found safely, thanks to Kiingbeck's actions. In addition, Tweed noted, “She keeps her sons active in church and surrounds them with positive role models.”
Tweed was able to visit Killingbeck at her work to tell her personally that she had won and gave her flowers.
Killingbeck was caught off guard, she told the audience. “I was full of tears.” She thanked the group for honoring her. “I feel so extremely blessed. I had a dream, since I was a little girl, to open a facility for special-needs kids. I started my family young at 20,” she recalled.
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When I applied for this award, I learned my grandmother was president of the Hemet Soroptomist. I want to thank each of you for being a part of a strong women’s group that helps young women achieve their goals. My grandma passed away a couple years ago,”Killingbeck continued. “I feel like I would honor her [today].
Killingbeck, who now works at Scripps Health and Dermatology and is working on her nursing degree at San Diego State University, said the head doctor there encouraged her to apply for the award.” She was presented with a plaque, gift, and envelope.
Tweed told ECM that Alpine Soroptomist has been hosting the event in Alpine for 33 years.
Asked how the group selects a recipient, she replied, “We send out applications through schools and libraries.” Killingbeck learned of the award through the Alpine Community Network, she added.
A committee reviews the applications. Winners advance to the West Coast Region and potentially, on to national and international competitions.
The mission of Alpine Soroptomist is to “empower women and girls in the community and throughout the world, Tweed explained. “The word ‘Soroptomist’ means ‘best for women.’”
To find out more about Soroptomist of Alpine, visit: http://sialpine.org.
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