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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Barbara Bradley enjoys doing what’s ‘best for women’


Barbara Bradley is active in numerous community activities, including Soroptimist International.Barbara Bradley is active in numerous community activities, including Soroptimist International.
 (Kathy Plonka/Kathy Plonka/ / The Spokesman-Review)
Laura Umthun Correspondent

Barbara Bradley says she grew up shy, but one would never guess this about her today.

For 21 years, Bradley’s name has popped up as an always-involved Coeur d’Alene community volunteer. She has earned a solid reputation as someone who brings dedication, determination and integrity to her many causes.

She was born and raised in Spokane and moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1978. Her husband Raymond, went to work for an accounting firm that the couple purchased in 1983 and renamed R. R. Bradley and Associates.

Barbara Bradley was recently elected treasurer of the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce board of directors and is treasurer of the Women’s Center board. She has been a past board member and is still active in a number of organizations, like Lake City Playhouse, the North Idaho Building Contractors Association and its Women’s Council, and the Coeur d’Alene Chamber Commodores.

She also received the Community Star Award presented by Panhandle State Bank. The bank gives a monetary donation to the winner’s chosen charity, which in Bradley’s case was Soroptimist International.

Of all her community activities, Bradley is most passionate about the Coeur d’Alene Chapter of Soroptimist International where she has been a member since 1994. She has chaired all the committees, has served as the chapter’s president for two years, and is a board member and director.

Founded in 1921, Soroptimist International is an international organization for business and professional women who provide volunteer services to their communities.

It is considered to be the world’s largest classified service organization for women in management and the professions.

According to Soroptimist literature, “Almost 100,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community-based and international projects benefiting women and girls.”

The name, Soroptimist, means “best for women,” and Bradley says that’s what the organization strives to achieve.

In 1994, Soroptimist International of the Americas formally adopted the prevention of domestic violence as a major focus.

“Currently, the Coeur d’Alene Chapter has pledged $100,000 over five years to create and fund the Soroptimist Children’s Center,” Bradley says.

The Women’s Center administrative office is currently in the process of moving into its new headquarters on Fourth Street next to the Women’s Center Thrift Shop.

“Children learn what they live. If you educate a child, then you break the cycle of violence,” Bradley says. “Previously, there was no facility for the children when a woman entered the shelter.”

In order to achieve their ambitious financial goals, the Soroptimist have written grants, sponsored productions of the “Vagina Monologues,” held media seminars, sponsored the Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon and brought the Harlem Ambassadors traveling basketball exhibition game to Coeur d’Alene.

“Soroptimist also addresses the economic component that often forces women to stay in abusive situations – and the lack of resources available to these women once they do leave,” Bradley says.

Through Wednesday, the local Soroptimist club is accepting applications for the 2005 Women’s Opportunity Award. This program provides cash grants to women who must obtain additional job training or education to realize their goal of economic independence.

“Although the program is open to all head-of-household women demonstrating financial need, many Women’s Opportunity Award recipients are domestic violence survivors,” Bradley says.

The local recipient of the $1,000 award is eligible to compete on a regional level for an additional $1,000 award, and then for a $5,000 award on the national level.

The local chapter, consisting of 36 hard-working members, has earned the Human Rights of Women/Girls Award. They won this award for their continued support of the Women’s Center Soroptimist Children’s Center.

The chapter won other awards as well and was the only group to win more than one award in all categories. These awards were announced in August at the 38th biennial convention of Soroptimist International of The Americas in Calgary.

“Soroptimist membership is an opportunity to give back to our communities and make a difference, globally, in ways that we would be unable to do as individuals,” says Bradley. “It is a great pleasure for me to see the results of our hard work.”