Soroptimist International of Farmington Valley

Demi Johnson, a ninth-grader from Gulfport, Mississippi, was honored by the National Geographic Society for her oyster reef conservation work. She grew over 1,000 oysters that will help restore marine ecosystems by releasing millions of larvae. With plans to expand her project and pursue environmental law, Demi is already making waves in ocean conservation. 🐚🌊

In 1948, two women changed the course of medicine… by mailing each other dirt.

They weren’t famous professors.
They didn’t work in fancy labs.
In fact, Rachel Fuller Brown, a chemist in Albany, and Elizabeth Lee Hazen, a microbiologist in New York City, never even worked in the same room.

But what they did share was persistence, trust, and a common mission — to find a cure hidden in the most overlooked places: the soil beneath our feet.

Elizabeth would collect microbes from dirt samples across the country and mail them to Rachel. Rachel would test them — one by one — for any antifungal properties. Over time, hundreds of tiny vials traveled through the U.S. postal system in what became a groundbreaking long-distance collaboration.

Then, one humble sample from Virginia changed everything.

🌱 They discovered nystatin — the first safe and effective antifungal drug for humans.
It treated infections like candidiasis, athlete’s foot, and life-threatening fungal diseases that had no cure until then.

But nystatin did more than heal people.

🎨 It also protected ancient manuscripts, paintings, trees, and priceless works of art from fungal decay. It became a silent guardian not just in hospitals — but in museums and libraries too.

And the fortune they could’ve made?
They donated all of it.

With the royalties from their discovery, Brown and Hazen created a fund to support future scientists — especially young ones, just starting out. No headlines. No awards. Just a lasting legacy.

Today, their story spreads quietly — much like the very fungi they fought — but with one beautiful difference:

This time, it’s growing something good.

In rural Mexico during the 1950s, a powerful photograph captured a scene that said more than words ever could. A young mother, dressed in traditional clothing, sits at a Singer sewing machine—learning patiently. Her infant rests calmly in her arms, feeding as she works the pedal. Beside her, an instructor gently guides her hands, teaching her not just a trade, but a tool for independence.
We don’t know the names of these women for certain. History rarely records the quiet strength of the everyday mother, or the patient heart of the teacher. But what we do know is this: the moment frozen in that photograph tells a story repeated in countless villages and classrooms around the world. Of women lifting one another up. Of mothers sewing futures while nurturing the present.
This isn’t just a lesson in sewing—it’s a portrait of dignity, perseverance, and the unbreakable bond between knowledge and compassion. A stitch in time that mended more than fabric—it mended hope.

~Weird Wonders and Facts

‘If I can’t trust my family then what chance do I have with other people?’

Black cowgirls played a vital, yet often overlooked, role in shaping the American West. These women were not only skilled riders and ranchers, but they also helped build communities in a time when opportunities for African Americans, particularly women, were limited. Many Black women in the West were daughters of formerly enslaved people, and their resilience and hard work helped them forge their own paths on the frontier. Whether working as cattle ranchers, cowhands, or in other essential roles, Black cowgirls were integral to the development of ranching culture.
These women were often involved in the daily operations of cattle drives, managing livestock, and maintaining ranches. They participated in the same demanding physical labor as their male counterparts, including branding cattle, roping, and participating in rodeos. Black cowgirls like Mary Fields, known as "Stagecoach Mary," became famous for their strength, independence, and skill. Mary Fields worked as a stagecoach driver, breaking barriers by proving herself as a capable and fearless woman in a profession dominated by men. Her story is one of many that highlights the diverse contributions of Black women in shaping the history of the American West.
The legacy of Black cowgirls continues to be celebrated today, as they are recognized for their contributions to both African American and Western history. Their stories are an essential part of the broader narrative of the American frontier, illustrating the strength, perseverance, and pioneering spirit of these remarkable women. While they faced numerous challenges, Black cowgirls left a lasting impact on ranching, rodeo culture, and the West itself, helping to shape the future for generations to come.

Please bid on some beautiful art, for a very important cause. 💜

Art for Awareness against Domestic Violence! Ending the 7 Movement collaborated with some of the most talented, compassionate, and humble local artists. Each piece in this collection has been donated to help raise awareness and funds for Ending the 7 Movement’s fight against domestic violence. On average a person returns to their abuser 7 ti...

Women are truly strong and powerful.

This powerful photograph from 1957 captures more than just a moment—it tells an entire story of strength, love, and progress in a single frame. Guadalupe Soqui López, an indigenous woman, sits at a Singer sewing machine, her skilled hands poised to learn a new craft while simultaneously cradling her nursing child. Beside her stands María Dolores Méndez, the seamstress instructor whose patient guidance represents something far greater than just technical teaching.

Here we see the quiet revolution of women lifting each other up. While Guadalupe balances motherhood and the determination to learn a skill that could provide for her family, María Dolores offers more than just sewing lessons—she offers opportunity. In an era when indigenous women faced systemic barriers, this simple act of knowledge-sharing becomes radical. The sewing machine isn't just a tool; it's a pathway to independence, a means of stitching together a better future.

We are grateful to Pat Giordano for dropping off the gift bags from SIFV to Val at Gifts of Love in Avon on Dec. 13!

It certainly takes a village to support one. We are grateful to ALL SOROPTIMIST members for their hard work and dedication! 💛💙

Great job Soroptimists!