WOMEN OF TODAY WHO ARE INSPIRING AND INFLUENCING OUR COMMUNITY.
featuring Soroptimist International of Central Solano County award winners
Solano County women making a difference
DAILY REPUBLIC | MARCH 15, 2026
Amy Maginnis-Honey AMAGINNIS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET
If you have not met Ruby Award winner Suzanne Bruce, you have probably heard her.
Bruce, who served two and a half years as Fairfield’s Poet Laureate, penned poetry for many community events and local residents and groups honored by the Fairfield City Council.
That’s just the first line in a poem honoring Bruce.
She’s introduced poetry readings in conjunction with local art exhibits with the Fairfield-Suisun Visual Arts Association. That tradition continues today.
A former teacher, she has organized several poetry events, including visits from State Poet Laureate Lee Herrick.
She’s curating a poet laureate and open mic poetry night at the Vacaville Museum on April 9. Herrick will be there along with poet laureates from Benicia, Fairfield and Vallejo.
Bruce holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Tulsa and did graduate work in Behavior Disorders at Wichita State University. She taught in various schools across the county during her husband’s 22 years in the Air Force.
Those attending the Solano County Library Foundation’s Authors Luncheon will recognize her as the emcee for the past several years. In 2022, she conducted an onstage conversation with author Amy Tan.
Bruce learned of the honor while assembling shampoo/cream rinse and soap packages for VEST Solano, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free comprehensive support services to all victims of domestic violence in Solano, Sonoma and Alameda counties.
Past Soroptimist president Suzanne Ng called with the news.
“I was at first confused, thinking she wanted me to write a poem for the awards event,” Bruce shared. “When she said I was
the selected recipient for this year. I had chills. I want to say I am honored, but what really reflects my feelings more is that I am extremely humbled. There are so many wonderfully talented and giving women in our community and to be recognized by this beautiful award, I am very flattered.”
The award honors non-Soroptimist women who are making extraordinary efforts on behalf of other women.
“What this honor means to me is that even when one doesn’t think they are helping, they are. Supporting the women’s organization events, such as the Women’s History Luncheons, various food and clothing collections, or even talking with young women in my husband’s JROTC classes, I am proud to be an advocate for whatever is needed,” Bruce said.
“Organizing poetry events has always been a passion for me and my goal has always been to make attendees feel welcome and know they can share their work without any kind of judgement.
This honor tells me that when you do something from your heart and send it out, it just might be caught by someone who needs their heart filled.”
Raised in a blue-collar household in a small house with a moderate lifestyle, she and her siblings are first-generation college educated.
“I have never taken for granted how education can change your life. That is why I am giving my awarded financial donation to our Libraries Leading to Reading Program. Reading is vital for self-esteem and personal growth. Plus, the libraries hold a special place in my heart as well,” she said.
Bruce thanks Soroptimist International of Central Solano County for their belief in her and she stands proud with the many women who were awarded this prior to her.
She continues to stay involved with poetry, art and cultural events in Solano County and other Bay Area cities.
Q: Why did you apply for the award?
A: I applied for the Violet Richardson Award because I admire the Soroptimist International Organization, and I saw it as an opportunity for me to further contribute to things I care about. I’m very passionate about my community and empowering others, and so when I saw an opportunity to apply for an award that would allow others to see that anything is possible if you set your mind to it, I took it. I know the beautiful feeling of empowerment you have looking up to other powerful, strong women, and I want to give people that feeling.
Q: Share a little background such as whether you have lived in Solano County all your life. If so, what schools have you attended? If not, what brought you to Solano County?
A: I have lived in Solano County my entire life. I was born in Vallejo and lived there for around a year and a half before my mom got pregnant with my younger brother, and we ended up moving to Fairfield so we could find a home to accommodate us. Now, I’ve been living in this home for 16 years and it means everything to me.
I briefly attended Rolling Hills Elementary School for kindergarten and first grade, but then was selected to participate in the GATE program in second grade and transferred to K.I. Jones where I fulfilled the rest of elementary school. In middle school, I attended B. Gale Wilson for a year (the 2019-20 school year, in which Covid-19 sent us to virtual learning). In seventh and eighth grades, I was at Green
Rodriguez High School, and will graduate from it this year.
Q: What brings you the most joy in high school?
A: One joy is spending time with people I care about, whether that be my family or friends. I find a lot of solace in my friends despite being an introvert, and I value my relationships deeply.
I also enjoy learning and knowing that by getting through my schoolwork and studying, I am developing my skills and allowing myself to be the best I
challenge in high school?
A: Throughout high school, I’ve struggled greatly with my mental health. I haven’t had the most stable mental state, and junior year was a really, really hard time for me. The load of coursework I was given, outside circumstances and overall the looming task of doing everything at 100% no matter how burnt out I could be was overwhelming to the point it destroyed my mental health.
I eventually learned how
to change my mindset and approach the world differently, which is what has allowed me to be the best version of myself that I can be at any given time. I’ve learned to approach the world with a growth mindset, and take anything thrown at me with a goal of using it to better myself and grow, because you never stop growing – no matter your age.
Q: Share your career goals and how this award will play a role.
A: Career goals have always been a tricky subject for me because of how many interests I have.
On one hand, I’m incredibly interested in music and fashion and all things bright and shiny. It would be a dream come true to be in the entertainment industry, but unfortunately I realize that isn’t entirely realistic.
I also love aviation and take much interest in possibly becoming a pilot, and it’s now become a viable option for me to follow.
Most likely of them all is going into law and becoming a lawyer. Although I’m not sure what field I would want to practice, becoming a lawyer and pursuing law has been the most consistent of my dream jobs.
My aunt is a corporate lawyer for a financial firm in Los Angeles, and she’s one of the coolest people I’ve ever met. Seeing how intelligent she is and how much I admire her, I realized that I too want to be like her and inspire others.
Q: Hobbies? Do you have a job outside the home? If so, and you feel comfortable, say what field you work in.
A: I’m sure you can tell by now, but I’m a very passionate
person. Passion is actually one of my favorite words, because the concept itself is so powerful and so beautiful that it’s undeniably captivating. I’ve already mentioned before my love for the entertainment industry, especially music and fashion/beauty, and aviation, but I also really love the weather, specifically severe weather! I’ve had a morbid fascination with tornadoes since I was around 4 or 5 and it’s never gone away.
Every May, I’m absolutely locked in on YouTube and Instagram watching Pecos Hank and Reed Timmer chase tornadoes around the country. Outside of that, my hobbies include crocheting, reading, drawing and music. I’m an avid K-Pop fan (a bit cringe, I know, but I love the artistry of it all) and my favorite groups are Seventeen and Ateez. I attribute some of my success to them because I find their work ethic, perseverance and ability to produce enchanting work amazing and want to do that for myself.
I’m also very involved in politics, and I will almost never back down from a political conversation. I’m a massive advocate for my community and realize uplifting others and showing them that they have a voice is one of the most vital things right now, so I do everything in my power to learn, educate and uplift. I do have a job currently, and it’s as a sales associate for Calvin Klein in Vacaville. I enjoy this job quite a lot, and I hope to continue in a similar field in college.
Q: One piece of advice you wish you had shared with your
See McCrea, Page 6
Q: Why did you apply for the award?
A: I first heard about the Violet Richardson Award from my school counselor, and once I read about what it stood for, I immediately thought about my experience in Girl Scouts. So much of what I’ve done has centered around leadership and serving my community in ways that actually make an impact, especially for younger girls in sports.
For my Girl Scout Gold Award, I installed a water bottle filling station at our local Little League fields to make sure players and families had better access to clean water during games and practices.
I also really admire everything Soroptimist has done for women and girls in my area, and I wanted to be associated with an organization that is actively creating opportunities and empowering women.
Q: Share a little background such as whether you have lived in Solano County all your life. If so, what schools have you attended? If not, what brought you to Solano County?
A: I was born and raised in Fairfield and have lived in Solano County my entire life. Growing up here has really shaped who I am, and I’ve come to truly love this community and the people in it. I currently attend Early College High School, where I will be graduating as salutatorian this June. Because of this program, I will be graduating with both my high school diploma and two associate’s degrees.
Q: What brings you the most joy in high school?
A: My friends and sports. The
years have made even the most stressful days better, and having people who support and push me means everything.
Being involved in sports has also been a huge part of my high school experience. It’s taught me discipline and teamwork, but it’s also where some of my favorite memories have been made. Between the competition, the practices, and the laughs with
what I’ll remember most.
I’ve also been lucky to have some incredible teachers who have supported and challenged me along the way. Their guidance and encouragement have made a big difference in my confidence and success.
Q: What is your biggest challenge in high school?
A: My biggest challenge in high school has been adjust-
ing to a college environment and learning to mature faster than I might have otherwise. Since my freshman year, I’ve been taking classes alongside adults, which has been both a blessing and a challenge. It’s forced me to manage my time, stay focused and take responsibility for my learning in ways that are very different from a typical high school setting. At times it’s been intimidating, but it’s also helped me grow a lot and prepared me for life after graduation.
Q: Share your career goals and how this award will play a role.
A: My goal is to become a chemical engineer so I can use my love of math and science to create solutions that help people and improve communities. This award will play a role by giving me confidence and motivation to keep working toward that goal. It reminds me that leadership and service matter, and inspires me to continue making a positive impact on people around me.
Q: Hobbies? Do you have a job outside the home? If so, and you feel comfortable, say what field you work in.
A: In terms of hobbies, I’m a very athletic person, so I enjoy spending time outdoors doing activities like golf, softball, tennis, hiking and running. I also love to bake, especially French macarons.
Staying busy with work is also something that helps me grow and explore my interests. In the summer, I work as a tennis camp counselor, which lets me share my love of sports and stay connected with kids in the community.
This fall, I started working as
an assistant in the water treatment industry, which gives me hands-on experience and insight into my future goal of becoming a chemical engineer. Both my hobbies and jobs help me stay active and learn new skills.
Q: One piece of advice you wish you had shared with your younger self.
A: The advice I wish I could give my younger self is to care less about what other people think and focus on being yourself. I was very shy as a child and often worried about how I was perceived, which I think cost me some friendships early on. Over time, I’ve learned that people are amazing, and taking the time to get to know them is such a gift. If I had realized that sooner, I would have been more confident in being myself and connecting with others.
Q: Are you involved in sports and/or clubs at school? If so, please share which sports and/or which clubs?
A: Yes, I’m very involved in both sports and school clubs. I have been a starter on both the varsity softball and golf teams all four years at Rodriguez High School. Our golf team is a twotime section champion and a three-time league champion.
I’ve also played club softball for eight years, which has allowed me to travel around the country and compete at a high level.
In addition to sports, I’m a member of the National Honor Society, which has allowed me to give back to my school and community through service projects. I have also been a Girl Scout for 12 years.
Q: Why did you apply for the award?
A: I’m applying because volunteering has been the base of my growth. It was the first thing that pushed me out of my comfort zone in middle school, helping me overcome social anxiety and find my ability for leadership. Through service – whether supporting my disabled grandmother or teaching seniors how to use technology – I learned how meaningful it is to help others and create real impact.
I’ve also seen how many hardworking young women in my community – like some I’ve worked with – volunteer without recognition. As I’ve taken on leadership roles and started my own projects in high school, I realized how important it is to help girls like them who offer so much of their hard work for others. This award represents that recognition, and I want to work along with young women who are making a difference.
Q: Share a little background such as whether you have lived in Solano County all your life. If so, what schools have you attended? If not, what brought you to Solano County?
A: I have lived in Solano County all my life, as I was born in Vallejo. I attended Nelda Mundy Elementary school until fifth grade during Covid, where I switched to Virtual Academy of Fairfield-Suisun.
That was when my social anxiety began, as I stayed in online school all throughout middle school unlike my peers. Still, I was able to discover my abilities to become a leader when I was selected to be a student representative in seventh grade
ninth grade last year, where my leadership activities from middle school have led into being in the leadership program at Rodriguez High.
Q: What brings you the most joy in high school?
A: Growing – more specifically, growing through learning, leading and creating. With the
events I lead from my leader ship program, my position as a founder of school clubs, spreading shared passion for my hobbies with other peers through my clubs, my lead in connecting volunteer projects with my school, uplifting other peers in my sport or using my academically strengthened areas to assist
my classmates.
Q: What is your biggest challenge in high school?
A: Stepping out of the quiet, anxious version of myself and learning to lead with confidence with my other peers in the enthusiastic Rodriguez leadership program. I grew up between two split worlds and absorbed difficult lessons about resilience, communication and responsibility.
Even with that base, I struggled a lot with social anxiety and self-doubt with my lack of socializing during my long years of online schooling, which also followed me into my first year of high school. My quietness may have been seen in me among the other extroverted, expressive and flamboyant students in the leadership class, but it only teaches me to step further out of my comfort zone to become a true leader.
Volunteering became the first space where I overcame that fear, and it has led me, now, to teaching seniors, helping my disabled grandmother and starting projects that required me to speak up, organize and guide others. Learning to have trust and reassurance in my own voice has been my hardest challenge, but also the one that has shaped me the most.
Q: Share your career goals and how this award will play a role.
A: My career goals are rooted in medicine, as the drive for it has run through my family. With health problems in my disabled grandmother, taking care of her has helped me find my passion for health care and managing patients. The Violet Richardson
Award supports my career goals by strengthening the values and skills I want to carry into my future in STEM and medicine.
Whether I become a biomedical engineer, gynecologist, a family physician or an anesthetist, I want to work in roles where I can lead, create and support women in my community. This award aligns with that path because it recognizes young women who serve others, which is something that is at the center of the career I want to build. As volunteering has already taught me skills which are essential in health care and engineering, this award would help me continue developing those qualities and take on different responsibilities. It would also help me expand my current projects and gain experiences that will allow me to grow into a stronger professional in the future. In my future career, I hope to uplift women, support families and use science and technology to improve people’s lives. The Violet Richardson Award would be a great move toward that future, allowing me to become someone who can lead with purpose and compassion.
Q: Hobbies? Do you have a job outside the home? If so, and you feel comfortable, say what field you work in.
A: In my free time, I enjoy painting, writing stories, playing chess, running for my sport, baking for my family, reading books, videography and entertaining my disabled grandmother to heal her brain. I currently do not have a job, but I do have intentions of getting a job at the
Q: Introduce yourself. Where did you grow up? What schools did you attend?
A: My name is Brianna Ford. I attended Armijo High School and am currently a student at Solano Community College, where I am double majoring in Fire Technology and Musical Vocals.
Q: What are your career goals?
A: My long-term goal is to become a fire investigator. I’m drawn to the analytical side of the fire service, determining origin and cause, examining evidence, and contributing to prevention through detailed reporting and accountability.
I am also double majoring in Musical Vocals because music has always been an important part of my life. Studying vocals strengthens my discipline, breath control, confidence and stage presence. It also develops leadership skills, the ability to communicate clearly, project
authority and remain composed under pressure. Those qualities are essential whether presenting findings, testifying or working within a professional team environment.
Q: What is the next step in reaching your career goal?
A: I have completed my EMT program and will be graduating at the end of this year with my associate’s degree in Fire Technology. From there, I plan to continue gaining field experience and pursue advanced certification in fire investigation.
Q: Do you have children? If so, what are their ages?
A: Yes, I am a proud mother to a 4-year-old daughter.
Q: Person you admire the most. Why?
A: I admire my daughter and strong women who balance multiple roles with determination and grace. Becoming a mother reshaped my perspective on discipline and purpose. Watch-
ing women pursue education, raise families, and build careers has shown me that resilience and structure create longterm success. I strive to lead by example so my daughter can see firsthand what commitment and perseverance look like.
Q: How did you find out about the award?
A: I was notified through the school and was honestly surprised. Balancing school, motherhood and long-term goals can feel demanding at times, so being recognized was both encouraging and meaningful. Hobbies? Jobs?
I prioritize strength training and fitness, which supports both my academic focus and long-term career goals. I also enjoy singing and continuing to develop my vocal skills through my studies. Outside of that, I value personal growth, structure, and spending quality time with my daughter.
Q: What does this
From Page 3
younger self.
A: I wish that I could tell my younger self to approach everything with a mindset of “how can I grow from this?” It would have saved me a lot of trouble. I’m pessimistic by nature (which I can attest to being part of the reason for my struggles with mental health in the past), so convincing myself to approach everything not necessarily with an “optimistic” mindset but rather a learning opportunity would have helped me a lot.
I feel like the ups and downs of my life
so far are what have molded me into the person I am now, so I wouldn’t change much (if anything) given the chance.
Q: Are you involved in sports and/ or clubs at school? If so, please share which sports and/or which clubs?
A: I used to be part of the marching band program at my school playing tenor saxophone, but decided to leave the program my senior year to join journalism so I could hone in on my writing and use it for good.
I’m currently a designer and model for my school’s Fashion Club, and we host a fashion show each semester! Other than that, I’m a member of our Cinema Club, where we watch and discuss movies every Tuesday and Friday.
He-Wang
From Page 5
nursing home where I volunteer this coming summer.
Q: One piece of advice you wish you had shared with your younger self.
A: I wish I had told my younger self to stop focusing too much on the irrelevant parts of life – perfecting how I appear to others or becoming the most flawless student and daughter. No one is perfect. I wish I could see life through a wider perspective, considering the bigger acts that would
award mean to you?
A: This award represents perseverance, growth and commitment. Balancing academics, motherhood and long-term career preparation requires discipline and sacrifice. Being recognized reassures me that the effort I’ve put into building my education and future career is meaningful, and it motivates me to continue striving for excellence for myself, my family, and my community.
Q: Favorite saying or motto?
A: “Discipline over motivation.”
Q: Anything else you would like people to know?
A: I hope my journey shows that it’s possible to pursue multiple passions while building a focused and intentional career path. With structure, discipline, and support, growth is always possible. I’m proud to represent my community and grateful for the opportunity to continue learning and serving.
give me better purpose, forgetting the minor factors that won’t last to my older years, and understanding the entire meaning of life.
Q: Are you involved in sports and/ or clubs at school? If so, please share which sports and/or clubs.
A: I am the founder of my school’s chess club, where we will be hosting tournaments, the co-founder of my school’s Sweet Stitches crocheting club, where we donate stitched and crocheted projects to hospice patients, the secretary of our scrapbook club, and part of our HOSA club for medicine. Besides that, I have been on my school’s Cross Country and Track & Field team since my freshman year.
Q: Introduce yourself. Where did you grow up? What schools did you attend?
A: My name is Alia Villalta and I currently live in Suisun City with my family. I grew up in American Canyon and attended St. Basil’s School for my elementary education, American Canyon Middle School, and later graduated from Vintage High School in Napa. Growing up in American Canyon with my family has deeply shaped my values, work ethic, and desire to give back to my community.
Q: What are your career goals?
A: I plan to graduate from Solano Community College in May with my associate degree in nursing. After earning my RN (registered nurse) license, I intend to continue my education by pursuing my bachelor of science in nursing through the University of Phoenix. Continuing to grow professionally and academically is very important to me.
Q: What is the next step in reaching your career goal?
A: Securing my first position as a registered nurse and beginning my career in either pediatrics or obstetrics. I have always had a strong passion for working with children, and my dream is to support them and their families in meaningful ways.
My favorite clinical rotation so far has been in the NICU at NorthBay Health in Fairfield, where I saw firsthand the powerful impact compassionate nursing care can have on the smallest and most vulnerable patients.
Q: Do you have children? If so, what are their ages?
A: I am a proud mother of three daughters. Aleena is 16 and attends American Canyon High School. Aliana is 12 and attends American Canyon Middle School. My youngest, Azalia, is 2 and has been diagnosed with autism. She keeps us busy with ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) and speech therapy appointments, and inspires me every day with her resilience and strength. My daughters are my greatest motivation.
Q: Person you admire the most. Why?
A: There are two people I admire most, my parents. My mother is a retired nurse from Kaiser Vallejo. I admire her for her heart, empathy and unwavering compassion
for others. Her selflessness and dedication to patient care inspired my own passion for nursing, especially my desire to work with children.
My father is a retired battalion chief from the Vallejo Fire Department. He is one of the most intelligent and hardworking individuals I know. His discipline, leadership and strong work ethic have greatly influenced who I am today.
Q: How did you find out about the award?
A: I learned about this award through my mother, who is deeply involved in the American Canyon community.
Q: Hobbies? Jobs?
A: I currently work as an on call receptionist at Kaiser Vallejo, a position I have held since 2022. I am grateful for the flexibility it provides while I complete nursing school. My long-term goal is to remain with Kaiser and continue my career there as a registered nurse.
Q: What does this award mean to you?
A: This award represents more than financial assistance. It represents relief, opportunity and encouragement. It will provide the financial freedom to focus more fully on my education without the constant pressure of balancing extra work shifts. It means being able to dedicate my evenings to studying and completing assignments with less stress and greater focus. I am incredibly grateful for this support.
Q: Do you have a favorite saying or motto? If so, please share.
A: “If you have the choice between being right and being kind, choose being kind.” — Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
This quote reminds me to lead with compassion in both my personal life and my future nursing career.
Q: Please share anything else you would like people to know.
A: Everything I pursue is rooted in gratitude for my family, my community and the opportunities I have been given. I am committed to giving back through nursing and serving others with empathy, integrity and dedication. My journey has required resilience and balance, but it has strengthened my purpose and deepened my commitment to caring for others.
Congratulations to Past Presidents Jennifer Barton and Suzanne Ng for their selection by Soroptimist International of the Americas to attend the March 2026 Session of the United Nations: Advocating for Women and Girls Worldwide.
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In 1921 a group of but were not permitted which grew into a volunteer organization providing access to the education
Soroptimist of Central Solano County is proud to honor our 2026 Richardson, Ruby and Live Your Dream Awardees featured in this publication.
A Big Thanks to our Platinum Sponsors for their generous support during 2025-2026 club year. For information about our programs, visit www.sicentralsolano com
of women in Oakland, California, wanted to volunteer in their communities permitted to join male service clubs. They formed the first Soroptimist club ganization working globally to transform the lives of women and girls by education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. County Violet Dream publication. Sponsors during our ograms,
Oh the places places you will go go! Congratulations Awardees! ar
Cathy Hall thy
Q: Introduce yourself. Where did you grow up? What schools did you attend?
My name is Paris Vernice Stovell. I grew up in Oakland, California, and I am the youngest of eight children. I am of African American and Puerto Rican her itage, and I embrace my culture with great pride. I am a mother, a doula, and a professional, and I lead with love in all that I do.
I attended elementary and middle school in Oakland and later went to high school at Merrill F. West High School in Tracy. I continued my education at Solano Community College while raising my children, balancing academics, career growth and family life.
My educational journey has been deeply personal – rooted in resilience, self-determination, and a desire to break generational cycles and create generational wealth for my chil dren and future grandchildren.
Q: What are your career goals?
My long-term career goal is to become a midwife and serve underprivileged communities by providing birthing support to minority women. I currently work in local government and own my own doula business. Doulas significantly improve maternal and infant health out comes by offering continuous emotional, physical, and educational support, helping to reduce the high maternal and infant mortality rates in the United States.
I am passionate about maternal health and family advocacy, specifically as a trained doula and community-based support professional. I am committed to
supporting women – particularly those in underserved neighborhoods – through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.
I also plan to continue
growing in public service roles that focus on family stability, systems navigation and equitable access to resources.
Q: What is the next step in
reaching your career goal?
I am currently in the process of receiving my labor, postpartum and lactation credentialing through MaternityWise. Once I complete my training, I will have the privilege of becoming a MediCal provider and the opportunity to serve some of our most vulnerable populations.
I plan to continue building my practice and gaining experience for the next two to three years before transitioning back to undergraduate school to obtain my Bachelor of Science degree. This will allow me to complete the necessary prerequisites to apply for midwifery school.
At the same time, I am strengthening my professional experience in public service roles, where I have gained skills in case coordination, documentation, compliance, and client support – all of which will help me serve families more effectively and compassionately.
Q: Do you have children? If so, what are their ages?
Yes, I am a proud mother of three children. My oldest is 17, my daughter is 5, and my youngest is 1. They are my greatest motivation and the reason I push forward every day. Raising them as a single mother while pursuing my goals has taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of modeling perseverance.
Q: Person you admire the most. Why?
I admire both of my grandmothers the most, and I truly cannot choose between the two.
My maternal grandmother was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She spoke limited English and worked as a servant for a
wealthy family. She moved her family to the United States to create a better life and to secure enhanced medical care for her children who had hemophilia. She endured many challenges and hardships, yet she motivated us to strive for greatness and achieve more than she had. Her love, strength, and devotion to her family will always be admired by me. She was the matriarch of our family, and her memory still lives on vividly today.
My paternal grandmother was born in West Virginia during the Jim Crow era and experienced discrimination and enforced racial segregation in schools, public facilities, and housing. Despite those injustices, she moved to California to raise her children and give them a better life – and she did exactly that. She created a stronger foundation for my father and ultimately helped raise me.
We traveled often when I was a child, and she showed me life beyond the limitations of our neighborhood. She demonstrated strength, sacrifice and unconditional love in ways I did not fully understand until I became a parent myself. Her example taught me to never give up, to always move forward, and to believe that there is a beautiful life to live – and that we do not have to be products of our environment.
Q: How did you find out about the award?
I learned about the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award through Tracey Serrano, a previous award recipient. She
Provost, Touro University California
Dean & CAO, College of Osteopathic Medicine
For Dr. Tami Hendriksz, the journey to becoming the Campus Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Touro University California (TUC) is a homecoming. As a proud alumna of TUC’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM), Dr. Hendriksz has transitioned from a student in the lecture halls to the visionary leader shaping the future of the institution.
Dr. Hendriksz’s medical journey began at UCLA, where she earned a degree in Psychobiology, followed by her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine education at TUC. After completing her pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, she returned to the Mare Island campus in 2009. Since then, she has served in nearly every facet of academic leadership, from Vice Chair of Primary Care to Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, and now as Provost.
Throughout her tenure, Dr. Hendriksz has been recognized as a powerhouse in the classroom. A five-time recipient of the TUCOM Teacher of the Year Award, she is celebrated for her ability to make complex medical concepts easy to digest for her students. Her most notable educational contribution is the “Clinical Integration Patient Perspectives” curriculum, which brings real patients into the classroom to share their lived experiences. This innovative approach, which earned her a national Innovation in Medical Education award from the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), ensures that students see the person behind the pathology.
Dr. Hendriksz’s community impact also extends past TUC. This includes her work with Solano County Health and Social Services where she serves as a pediatrician at county-hosted clinics, providing essential care to underserved children and families.
Her commitment to the human side of medicine is a defining characteristic of her career. She was named a Champion of Humanistic Care by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation in 2021, an honor that reflects her dedication to compassionate, patient-centered care. Most recently, Dr. Hendriksz was named 2026 Physician of the Year by the Napa Solano Medical Society. This award not only highlights the commitment to the health of Solano County, but her ability to bridge the gap between academic theory and community practice.
Beyond the clinic and the classroom, Dr. Hendriksz finds inspiration in the resilience of leaders like Nelson Mandela, a nod to her own roots in South Africa. She often speaks of her “three most rewarding jobs” as a mother, a teacher, and a pediatrician, roles that inform her holistic perspective on leadership.
Reflecting on the responsibility of shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals, Dr. Hendriksz notes: “Preparing the next generation requires us to develop leaders who champion the needs of the underserved while driving technological change. This evolution in healthcare succeeds only when we maintain compassion as our primary guiding principle.”
As TUC continues to grow, Dr. Hendriksz stands as a testament to the university’s mission and leadership. One who proves that the best way to lead the future of healthcare is to never lose sight of humanity at its heart.
395 E. Monte Vista Ave., Vacaville | 707-449-6385
laineysfurniture@gmail.com | www.laineysfurniture.com
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
laine Cloutier thought there was a need for a different kind of furniture store in Solano County.
So after four years in the retail home furnishings industry, she decided to open Lainey’s Furniture For Living in Vacaville. That was 11 years ago.
“I have always been interested in furniture and interior design. I realized there was a lack of quality furniture stores in the area,”
“I want to meet the needs of my customers and create welcoming, comfortable and stylish living spaces. The ultimate goal is when a customer purchases again or brings in a loved one to purchase their furniture from our store,” she added.
She would like to be known for providing “quality furniture and excellent customer service.”
“Personally, I want to be known for being a good citizen who contributes to her community,” said Cloutier, which includes “giving back to the community and helping others succeed in life and
And that would be her perfect legacy.
However, she has other plans for the future, too.
In 15 years, she would like to be “retired, traveling the world and enjoying the company of family and friends.”
As for advice she would give to someone who is interested in coming into the retail furniture business, Cloutier said that would be “to listen to your customer and provide the best service and products possible.”
1850 W. Texas St., Fairfield | 707-425-4697 jbryan@bryanbraker.com | bryanbraker.com 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Jenna Bryan Stewart was born into the family business.
“Given it is a family business that was started 30 years before I was born, you could say I’ve been ‘in the business’ my whole life. It was always around when I was growing up: the verbiage, the respect, the responsibility of this business was the backdrop of our home and family.
“I have worked, intermittently, in almost every position in the company over the past 30 years. I have been here full-time for 12 years now and in my current position for eight years. I honestly feel it chose me. I never planned on working in the family business. It is not what I went to college for,” Stewart said.
“However, life circumstances brought me back to the Northern California area 12 years ago. I was going to ‘temporarily help out at the funeral home and 12 years later, here I am. Life has a way of putting you exactly where you need to be.”
As owner/COO, Stewart said she comes to work each day with two goals in mind.
“First, to ensure the families we serve leave Bryan-Braker feeling they had a personalized experience that valued and honored their loved one; and second, to make sure our staff knows they are valued and appreciated. I believe the long-term success of a company reflects the culture within the office. The satisfaction and cohesiveness of our staff
flows to the families we serve,” she said.
“The ability to consistently be able to provide the excellent service Bryan-Braker is known for comes from a foundation of synergy among our staff. The supportive foundation we have created in the office with each other is carried outside the office to the families we are privileged to serve. At the end of the day, if I am able to make even a small difference in one person’s life, whether it be an employee, a member of our community, my husband, children or a friend I feel it is a day not wasted.”
To that end, she wants to be known as someone who produces and fosters “a healthy work environment with grief-informed and culturally aware staff, which enables us to continue to serve the greater Solano County area with the excellent service we are known for.
“In order to foster a healthy work environment, I bring in a critical incident stress debriefing professional four times a year to host a mandatory workshop for our entire staff. This provides the staff with tools and resources to process the information they are privy to on a daily basis and to support the families we serve on their grief journey. I cannot expect my employees to transmit something they don’t have,” Stewart said.
“This CISD, gives them that foundation. In addition, I also hold mandatory cultural sensitivity and
Annie Vogelpohl Real Estate Consulting and Sales 707-373-6949 | annie@annievogelpohl.com
Annie Vogelpohl began her real estate career in 1979 – before personal computers, cellphones and other technology that is now commonplace – and remains current when it comes to serving her clients.
Vogelpohl says she initially chose her profession because she wanted a job that gave her independence, one where she could work for herself while also helping others.
That she did, and then some.
With a career in real estate as long as the one she has had, it wouldn’t come as much of a shock if she’s helped the vast majority of Solano County residents find a new home. Those who haven’t used her as a Realtor have almost certainly seen her advertisements in different publications – or even on the side of custom-bottled wines.
While Vogelpohl has been a successful, respected professional in the Fairfield-Suisun City region for decades, it is her deepest pain that has made her such a credit to the community.
Vogelpohl’s daughter Michelle, 25 at the time, was killed by her then-husband in front of their young son, who Vogelpohl and her husband subsequently adopted and raised to become, as she says, “a very fine young man.”
That incident of domestic violence ultimately led Vogelpohl to serve more than 20 years with SafeQuest Solano, an organization that specializes in ending the abuse of women, men, children and the elderly.
Her work with SafeQuest Solano helped fulfill her desire to keep people safe from violence, while also diminishing the emotional toll from her daughter’s death.
In 2026, Vogelpohl remains committed to educating youth about the dangers of human trafficking and raising awareness of its presence in Solano County.
“Human trafficking is right here in Solano County in a big way,” she says. “The statistics are alarming.”
Vogelpohl is a problem-solver when it comes to her chosen profession. She knows she has been successful when she sees that her clients are happy.
awareness workshops on a regular basis. We serve a very diverse community, and we want to reflect that. Continuing to evolve our understanding on healthy self-care, and cultural sensitivity will help us better connect to the community we are serving. Also, Bryan-Braker has recently developed and began sponsoring a complimentary Community Bereavement Support Group. This meets a need for grieving family and friends to process their grief in a supportive and safe environment.”
The best advice she can offer someone coming into the profession is generational.
“My dad always told me, ‘you have to have a calling to work in this business or it just won’t work.’ I did not understand what he meant for a long time. I do now. Your heart and soul have to be in this business or else you are just doing a disservice to yourself and the families you work with.”
As for what she might be doing in 15 years, she said she prefers to live in the now.
“I try to stay in today. I am grateful today doing what I get to do with my office and my family,” Stewart said. “I hope to continue the legacy my grandfather and father have done such a phenomenal job of creating; a legacy of genuine compassion and service to our community during their time of need.”
Away from work, it is still about family.
“My husband and I are working on raising four good men. We have four boys: 5, 6, 8 and 14. Our household is as crazy and as full of energy as one might imagine. We place value on outside family time with hikes, service and giving back to our community. We want our boys to have a strong foundation of their values and how to communicate and act on those out in the world. We do our best to live by example,” Stewart said.
Kay Parkham
Human Resources Manager
Solano Family & Children’s Services
421 Executive Court N, Fairfield kparkham@solanofamily.org
My journey with Solano Family and Children’s Services (SFCS) began during my search for child care for my own child in 1983. As a newly single mother, I found it necessary to get back into the workforce in order to support my young son.
After using the referral services offered by SFCS and hearing about their role in the community, I found myself intrigued by the possibility of assisting others in similar situations to myself.
Having been raised in a two-parent home with traditional roles, I always pictured myself at home raising my own family. Having children of my own encouraged me to set an example that serving your community gives you strength and hope for a better future.
Now, having spent 43 years with SFCS, I found it possible to have both family and a rewarding career. I am proud of the diverse group of people representing the agency and our role in the community.
Hearing success stories shows us the difference child care makes in helping families thrive. The example our clients
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and providers show our children helps them know the world is theirs to mold.
Working in Human Resources gives me opportunities to represent staff and the agency in a role that can be both challenging and rewarding. I focus on creating a culture that helps our team look forward to coming to work each morning.
My years with SFCS have helped me grow from a young single mother to someone who appreciates the challenges life throws at me.
I will retire next year to spend more time with my family. I will miss working with this talented team of ours but am excited to see what fresh new ideas the next HR Manager will bring to this great agency.
I hope when my coworkers think back on me, they will see someone who strived to make a difference. Sometimes we just need a little push in order for us to start running and close the gaps that stand in our way. I hope I was able to help pave the road for future community service workers.
encouraged me to apply and reminded me that sometimes others see your potential before you fully see it yourself.
Q: Hobbies? Jobs?
Professionally, I have worked in administrative and public service roles supporting housing programs and community services.
Outside of work, I have developed a love for weightlifting and have been running 5Ks for the past few years. I enjoy hiking, traveling, and spending time outdoors. I love the earth and have a deep appreciation for the ocean — I am truly in love with all beaches.
I also enjoy reading, writing, planning, and spending quality time with my children. I find fulfillment in mentoring and supporting other women who are pursuing education while raising children.
Q: What does this award mean to you?
This award represents more than financial assistance — it represents belief. As a single mother working toward long-
term career goals, there are moments of exhaustion, overstimulation, and uncertainty. Being recognized by Soroptimist affirms that my efforts matter. It reminds me that my dreams are valid and achievable. I truly believe that with discipline, hard work, and faith in yourself, anything is possible.
Q: Do you have a favorite saying or motto? If so, please share.
“Chances Make Champions.”
It is simple, but powerful. There is no such thing as luck — you must be disciplined, apply yourself, and step outside of your comfort zone to create opportunities.
Q: Please share anything else you would like people to know.
I want people to know that success does not always look linear. Sometimes it looks like staying up late after your children go to sleep, working full-time while building something on the side, or choosing growth even when it is uncomfortable and painful.
This award is not just about me — it is about what is possible for women who refuse to give up, who refuse to live within someone else’s expectations, and who demand a seat at the table.
5071 Business Center Drive | 707-290-3235 pamwatson.com | pam@pamwatson.com Hours vary depending on clients’ needs
Pam Watson of Coldwell Banker Kappel Gateway Realty has been helping Solano County homeowners with their real estate goals since 1979.
Watson says she got her start with practical concerns in mind.
“As a young woman, I realized this was a great field for an entrepreneur to enter as it provided an income that I could set for myself. The harder and smarter I worked, the more profitable my business would become.”
She’s still working hard and smart more than four decades later to meet the needs of her clients each day, as evidenced by her selection by Daily Republic readers as being among the top Realtors in the area in recent years.
“My goal is to have learned something new to help enhance my clients’ real estate goals,” she says. “I want to be as educated as possible so I bring the best value to my clients. I want them to trust me and have confidence that I am looking out for their best interest and will handle their needs as my own.”
Watson offers this advice to newcomers to the business: “Education is the key to representing my clients,” she says. “Never stop being educated in all aspects of real estate.”
She gives back both professionally and personally to better the Solano County real estate sector and the community.
“I would like to be known as the Realtor who became ‘our family Realtor,’ ” Watson says. “As past president for Solano National Alliance on Mental Illness, my passion became helping families with loved ones who have mental illness, to provide free education and support for those families and to help eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness. Also, I love snorkeling in tropical locations and love, love, love gardening.”
Watson says her future includes “mentoring young entrepreneurs entering the exciting real estate business.” She says of her legacy that she would like “to be a woman known for her fun attitude, kindness and understanding of others along with giving back to the community.”
750 Mason St., Vacaville | 707-372-3599 teamdeadrich@yahoo.com
Buying or selling house in this market can be a stressful undertaking, and for 23 years, Rose Marie “Roe” Deadrich has poured her heart into making the entire process as easy as possible for her clients.
Deadrich offers a no-pressure approach to real estate transactions and the ability to be direct and honest about the real estate market at any given time. She brings vast knowledge about the county to each client to best meet their individual needs. That, combined with a personal touch and a level of tenacity that resonate with people, set her apart from her peers.
“You call, you get me. I don’t have a team, it’s just me,” she said.
She must be doing something right because she has received the Best Realtor in Solano County for the 13th consecutive year in the Daily Republic’s Readers’ Choice survey.
“I think the key is that I love people,” she said. “I focus on building lasting relationships with my clients to assist them while we navigate through the purchase or sale of their home. I maintain these relationships by not only being their Realtor but by being their families’ Realtor and main referral source for all their real estate needs,” Deadrich says.
Since 2003, this has been a career that she
dearly loves.
It all started with a friend who was selling a house who would come by and stay for a few hours at her house while her Realtor showed the house. At one point, her friend pointed out how much money she could be making.
“She thought it would give me a lot of autonomy and I could travel for my job,” Deadrich said. “But I was horrified because I would have to go back to school.”
Deadrich never had a great love of school and claims that in her younger years she did poorly in her classes.
In the end, she did go back to school and found that it was not as hard as she remembered.
“I found I loved it,” she said.
Deadrich says the foundation of her real estate work is based on referrals.
“As a native of Solano County, I understand the historical changes and growth our county has experienced in the housing industry, which allows me to offer a level of expertise for all who call Solano County their home,” Deadrich says.
Deadrich has extensive experience in probate and trust situations to help navigate through the most difficult times in her clients’ lives.
547 Jefferson St., Suite A, Fairfield | 707-429-2222
www.barbertubis.com | miranda@barbertubis.com
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday
Miranda Barber has been in family law for over 20 years. She was an associate attorney with Mattice Law Offices for more than 20 years before Barber Tubis Law launched in January 2023.
Barber didn’t find her inspiration for this work until after she started doing it.
“My inspiration came when I finally accepted that using my education and experience to assist people through difficult life transitions is a calling,” she said
Her goal is to be a source of strength for her clients as they find their new identity following the circumstances that led to their involvement in the family law or guardianship court system.
Her advice to those who want the enter the law field is to find a mentor.
Barber would like to be known for her compassion, whether someone has had contact with her through the firm or other community service activities.
Her community service activities are her passion.
“I have experienced great joy by running food and clothing ministry services in the past,” she says. “I am currently a member of the Pedestrian Advisory Committee of the Solano Transit Authority. My real passion project is an annual food drive to send Thanksgiving meal bags to foster families and families with CPS care plans.”
Barber is enjoying being in her second year of being a business owner. But after retirement she would like to “teach part-time so I can continue to share my knowledge and experience with future lawyers and leaders.”
As for her legacy: “I would like my legacy to be one of service through mentorship and service.”
Stever & Associates Property Management
690 E. Tabor Ave., Suite F, Fairfield | 707-322-0943
www.SteverAndAssociates.com | SteverAndAssociates@gmail.com
Open seven days a week; available most hours via phone
The Lexus and Infiniti luxury car brand were introduced, Taylor Swift was born and the Bay Area dealt with the magnitude-6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake, interrupting a World Series game between the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s.
And, Darla Stever started in the real estate business, taking her husband up on his suggestion she, too, join.
“This was something my husband talked me into, when he opened up his own real estate company,” Stever wrote in an email. “I was working in the grocery business, and had a cleaning business and bakery I was running at the same time.”
Today, it still plays an important role in her life. The joys of working in the filed since 1989? It has been a great way to meet people and make friends.
Stever said she has always been part of the “boys club” in most of her jobs, she thinks there are more women in the business now than men.
“In most all the jobs I have ever had, I’ve just always done things my own way, and never really cared if I was the only woman or not, so I have not paid much attention to gender,” she wrote.
More women are taking advantage of business ownership, Stever wrote, citing flexible
hours, which is helpful for those who do it all and have children or grandchildren at home.
Juggling her professional and personal life has become second nature. The pair intertwine.
“I have had other agents tell me they shut their phones off a 5 or 6 at night, she wrote. “I can’t do that.
“Someone is usually needing help of some sort at all hours of the day and night. I might not be able to actually help them with the leaking roof at 2 a.m.”
She leaves the phone on silent and deals with it when she wakes up.
Stever has learned not to let things bother her.
“I learned years ago to let the things you can’t change, go,” she wrote. “The only thing that bothers me is upsetting a client, but that rarely happens although you can’t always please everyone, and sometimes personalities clash.”
The real estate crash of 2010 pushed her into property management after one of her investor clients pleaded with her take on managing his properties.
“I never wanted to do property management before because of the liability, but property management was guaranteed income,” she wrote. “You didn’t spend weeks or months showing someone properties and then wait for it to close
escrow, to get paid.”
She took on five of his properties and – by word of mouth and referrals – now has almost 300 properties she oversees with one property manager working with her and one in training.
Real estate and property management are similar, she wrote. “You need to have a real estate license and a broker license to work under. You work with different personalities daily. You are relied on for referrals of various vendors (roofers, handymen, fence companies, etc).
“The challenges of property management?
Getting owners and sometime tenants to understand the state and local laws that protect tenants’ rights.
“Many counties have their own rent control and that becomes a challenge when a property owner needs to raise rents to cover their monthly expenses. Tenants think owners are greedy, when most are just trying to make their monthly mortgage commitments,” Stever wrote.
The joys of property management? “Meeting new people and putting people into homes. Sometimes when it’s their last chance before being homeless,” she wrote.
Her work is a family affair, with the grandchildren pitching in, too.
If they are doing something and Stever gets a call for help, she will respond if in the area.
“I am very hands-on,” she wrote. “I will try to fix something before I have the owner spend money on a repair.
“I was picking the kids up from school one day when a tenant called me to tell me their doorknob fell off the front door. I was just down the street,
and always have tools in my car, so I picked up the kids and we went over to reinstall a doorknob. My owner never knew that happened, and I saved them probably a $75 service call.
“Whether the kids will take this on when they get older, I don’t know. Most are older and haven’t seemed interested. Right now I am working on getting the great-grandkids involved. They are the ones that are with me more often and see what I actually do.”
Stever was born in Vallejo and moved to Fairfield in 1982. Her family still resides in Vallejo. Giving back to the community is important to Stever. In 2001, she and a friend began Solano County Coats for Kids. She helped found the nonprofit because she saw the need.
When the market crashed in 2008-2010, she spent a lot of her own money on securing the coats. When her money ran out, she had to close the nonprofit.
“People just didn’t have the extra income anymore and weren’t donating funds to purchase coats,” she wrote.
“Since then I haven’t really been involved in the community, but that is also when I was working three jobs and getting my property management business off the ground, so there wasn’t really time for anything else.”
She now has a new property-management team to help with property management and real estate sales.
“I have had more than one person hire me to manage their property and tell me I can’t quit for at least 10 years (not sure why 10 years), but I made that promise, and I hope to keep it,” she wrote.
