Soroptimists name award recipient

Soroptimist International of Colusa County has selected Maria Alejandra Adams as the 2010 Woman's Opportunity Award recipient.

Adams is the mother of two children, ages 11 and 15, and a daughter who is 21.

Adams works as an assistant teacher in a preschool class, and is enrolled in two or three classes in Early Childhood Education through Yuba College each semester. Her immediate goal is to obtain an associate's degree in early childhood education.

The Women's Opportunity Awards program, Soroptimist International's major service project, aids women seeking to improve their economic status by gaining additional skills, training and education.

Women's Opportunity Awards applicants have faced sever hardships that have prevented them from pursuing and achieving their educational and professional goals. Most are single mothers and often rely on public assistance as their source of income. The Women's Opportunity Award helps these women rebuild their lives through improved employment opportunities, Soroptimist member Kay Spurgeon said in a statement.

The local club provides a $750 award to assist the selected applicant with her efforts to attain higher education, including tuition, books, supplies and childcare.

The local winner is eligible for additional awards at other levels of the organization. Sierra Nevada Region awards two $3,000 winners and one $5,000 winner, who also receives a laptop computer and advances to the International competition.

Soroptimist International grants three $10,000 finalist awards each year.