Soroptimist International of Sequim

09/06/2026

Soroptimist International of Sequim is pleased to announce Kayla Blodgett as the recipient of the $2500 Colleen Blazier Nursing Scholarship. This scholarship honors Colleen Blazier, who spent her career in the Army as a registered nurse, retired as a Colonel, and is a longtime member of Soroptimist International of Sequim

Blodgett graduated from Peninsula College with both an Associate of Science and an Associate of Nursing degree, earning a 4.0 GPA. She is now enrolled in the master’s program at Walden University, where she also maintains a 4.0 GPA as she works toward becoming a nurse practitioner. She currently works as a registered nurse at Olympic Medical Center.

09/05/2026

Announcing the artwork for the Soroptimist 2027 Garden Show –
Every year, Soroptimist International of Sequim asks artists to share work that shows off the beauty of our area, from lavender fields to simple floral bouquets. The garden committee reviews the entries without knowing who created them until after the selection. This year, we were happy to discover that the chosen piece, “Janie Dear,” was created by Karen Sistek, last year’s featured artist. Congratulations, Karen Sistek!

09/05/2026

Each month, Soroptimist International of Sequim proudly recognizes one of our long-standing members alongside a newer member. This new tradition highlights our members' remarkable achievements and emphasizes the impact of their contributions. Join us in celebrating these inspiring individuals! We would like to introduce one of our new members, Glen Varvil. Glen brings a wealth of achievements and so much to the organization.

Most people reading about Glen will say, "I thought Soroptimist was only for women." Soroptimist opened membership to men in 2003, and we welcome Glen because he brings talent and dedication to his volunteer work.

Glen is retired, but before retiring, he was a computer programmer with the University of Utah – Salt Lake City. He worked with systems that included student, auditing, parking, and alumni services. He says it took him a while to find his niche as a computer programmer, but he feels satisfied with his choice and his accomplishments.

As a Soroptimist member, Glen believes education matters and that helping women pursue higher education is a smart investment. He supports this idea by serving on the scholarship and award committee, as well as the garden show committee.

09/05/2026

Each month, Soroptimist International of Sequim proudly recognizes one long-standing member alongside a newer member. This new tradition highlights our members' remarkable achievements and emphasizes the impact of their contributions. Join us in celebrating these inspiring individuals! This month, we're featuring Jan Hartig, a member of over 35 years who transferred from Southern California.

Jan is a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother with experience in administration, legal secretarial work, legal transcription, real estate, and property management. She used her administrative skills at the Auditor General's office at Norton AFB. Then she served as a legal secretary for a law firm and as a legal transcriber for the City of Riverside. She ended her career in real estate and property management. In addition to her diverse career, she has been a community activist, working with the Community Assistance Program in her previous community that provided food assistance. She is an accomplished musician and singer with a lifetime of musical experience.

Jan indicates that upon attending a Soroptimist meeting in Southern California, she was hooked. In her previous service to Soroptimist, she was active with scholarships and awards, chaired fundraising, and served as president. Now, as a member of Soroptimist International of Sequim, Jan leads the committee referred to as Pathways. This committee provides new members with information, resources, and guidance. This committee is vital because it builds a foundation for member retention and helps members use their talents effectively.

08/04/2026

08/03/2026

Each month, Soroptimist International of Sequim proudly recognizes one of our long-standing members alongside a newer member. This new tradition highlights the remarkable achievements of our members and emphasizes the impact of their contributions. Join us in celebrating these inspiring individuals! We would like to introduce one of our new members, Shelley Huntington. Shelley brings a wealth of achievements and so much to the organization.

Shelley is a dedicated and accomplished professional, recently retired as a Master Chief Hospital Corpsman after 29 years of service in the U.S. Navy, where she worked at several naval bases in the Northwest. Throughout her career, she positively impacted the lives of Sailors and Marines who served in combat zones, providing crucial support during their most challenging times. Balancing her military duties, she was also a devoted mother of two, including a daughter with special needs, demonstrating her exceptional commitment to both her family and her country. Since her retirement, Shelley has earned her Ph.D. and now excels as a Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice, where she passionately specializes in helping veterans heal from trauma. Her unique blend of experiences equips her to make a profound difference in the lives of those she serves.

Shelley takes great pride in being a mother and grandmother, as well as in guiding her children and grandchildren to become the best versions of themselves. She is also proud of her service and her academic achievements, having earned her Ph.D., and living her true self means being authentic and trusting her own abilities.
Last but certainly not least, Shelley indicates she joined Soroptimist because of what the organization provides for the community. Her goal is to make a difference in the community, and she sees that Soroptimist does so through its medical loan closet and the scholarships and awards it offers to young women.

08/03/2026

Each month, Soroptimist International of Sequim proudly recognizes one of our long-standing members alongside a newer member. This new tradition highlights the remarkable achievements of our members and emphasizes the impact of their contributions. Join us in celebrating these inspiring individuals! This month, we bring you Jane Manzer, a longtime member for almost 25 years.

Jane has had a diverse career that she believes has provided her with valuable knowledge and insight, keeping her life interesting. She has worked for various organizations, including the U.S. House of Representatives, Sequim Middle School, and Clallam County. Additionally, she has experience as a real estate broker and appraiser.

In conversations with her, you will discover that she takes great pride in raising her two sons and helping them graduate from college without incurring any debt. Additionally, she is proud to have earned her Real Estate broker’s license, particularly during a challenging market. Moreover, she expresses pride in having served as President-elect, President, and Past President of Soroptimist International of Sequim. Over the years, she has also held several board positions within the organization.

Jane joined Soroptimist for several meaningful reasons. First, her connections with a few members back in 1990 sparked her admiration for the organization's accomplishments. Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s gave her a unique perspective on what women and girls need to flourish at the local, national, and international levels, inspiring her to join. Nearly 25 years later, she cherishes the garden show's evolution and the vital role of the medical loan closet in the community. Moreover, engaging with women in war-torn countries and witnessing how Soroptimist serves them fills her with purpose and hope.

07/22/2026

CONTINUING EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WOMEN – Continuing Education Scholarships application are available to qualifying women who live in Sequim or who have attended Sequim High School. Applicants must have completed 24 SEMESTER HOURS or 30 QUARTER HOURS OF POST SECONDARY EDUCATION. These awards can be used for undergraduate or graduate school. Applications are availably at www.sisequim.org and are due August 15, 2026.

07/22/2026

CALLING ALL ARTISTS....