Mar 19, 2026 By Jen Garofalo 3 min read

Editor’s note: This story was changed to reflect that Erika Stanish of KDKA will serve as the guest speaker at the Spring Fling that will be hosted by Soroptimist International of Fayette County on April 18.

When the Fayette County chapter of Soroptimist International started in 1956, women couldn’t get credit on their own, and many couldn’t have their own bank account.

“My dad had to sign for my car,” said Lisa Malago.

Over those 70 years, things have come a long way, and “women have found their voice,” she said.

As SI of Fayette County celebrates seven decades of service, its members continue to support and empower women and girls throughout Western Pennsylvania, welcoming members from Washington and Greene counties, and other local counties that do not have a chapter.

Malago, public awareness chair and governor-elect for the North Atlantic Region, said programs like Live Your Dream and Dream It, Be It help women and girls succeed in all areas of life.

The Live Your Dream award gives women who are the breadwinners in their family the ability to continue their education. Winners can use the money for anything related to that goal, including tuition, transportation assistance, books and child care.

One of the women who received the award got a certification in HVAC services and was able to start her own business, according to Malago.

The local winner receives a $1,500 award with the opportunity to advance to the regional level, and federation level if they win there. Each level comes with a larger prize.

The second cornerstone program, Dream It, Be It, is for girls from 14 to 18. The program helps young women in a number of areas, including goal setting, overcoming obstacles and discovering potential career paths.

One of the projects is creating a vision board. The girls place pictures, stickers or embellishments onto a blank canvas to create a vision of what they want to attain.

“From that, we springboard into the things they want to know, and help them learn how to get there,” Malago said.

Denise DeHaas, SI of Fayette County president, said the club’s anniversary is a celebration of past and present members who have supported the women and girls of the community.

“As we honor our history, we also recommit ourselves to building a future where women and girls have the tools, confidence, and opportunities to achieve their full potential,” she said in a release.

Malago said the club’s mission is found in the roots of its name. Soroptimist is from the Latin words soror (sister) and optima (best).

“We interpret it as ‘the best for women’,” Malago said, “and that’s what we want to do.”

On April 18, the club will host a Spring Fling luncheon at the Uniontown Country Club with vendors, raffles and games of chance. Erika Stanish from KDKA will be the guest speaker. The event is open to the public, and to both women and men. Tickets are available through any club member or by calling Malago at 724-323-4567.

For questions about the club’s programs or to become a member, reach out via the club’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/soroptimistfayettecounty.