Dorothy Dewan, a member of Soroptimist International of Ponca City, was named the first Soroptimist South Central Regional Best Woman of the Year at the annual Regional Conference April 26 in Amarillo, Texas. She was nominated by the Ponca City Soroptimist Club. This is the first year for this new award to be presented.

"Dorothy Dewan is an outstanding candidate for the South Central Region Best Woman of the Year Award because she is very dedicated and passionate about the goals and principles of Soroptimist. Our club repeatedly turns to her to guide and direct us in achieving the ideals of Soroptimist. She can be counted on to help in any way needed to support the club," said the club members in their nomination of her.

She was presented the award by South Central Region Governor Kim Moses-Stephens. The award included a plaque and $1,000 donated in her name to the Soroptimist Laurel Society. The Laurel Society was established in 1994 as a permanent recognition program to honor individuals dedicated to the Soroptimist organization and its mission.

The Laurel Society was created to effectively show appreciation to donors for gifts that would ensure continued funding for Soroptimist programs. Members of the Laurel Society are emissaries of the Soroptimist mission to improve the lives of women and girls. The plaque reads, "In recognition of your outstanding achievements to live the mission of Soroptimist and your willingness to put action to your commitment to improve the lives of women and girls."

An active member since 1985, Dorothy Dewan has served as president of the Ponca City club 1987-89, 1995-96, 2002-03 and will serve as president 2008-09. From 2004-06 she was District Two Director overseeing the work of clubs in southern Kansas, northern Oklahoma and western Missouri including the annual District Meeting each year. She has served as club delegate to numerous district, regional and federation conventions and held every office in the local club except treasurer.

In addition to her work in Soroptimist, Dewan is a member of First United Methodist Church in Ponca City where she has chaired the women's circle and is a member of Order of the Eastern Star, which she served as Worthy Matron.

Soroptimist International is a professional women's organization whose mission is to improve the lives of women and girls locally and throughout the world. The local club meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at noon at Pizza Hut. The club was chartered in 1950 and throughout the years has served the local community through projects with Domestic Violence, Hospice, Child Development Center, Camp McFadden and Dearing House. The club recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month each October with their annual Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon.

For more information about the Ponca City Soroptimist Club contact Aimee Snyder, president, 762-8984.