The Soroptimists of Napa Wine Country held a lobster sale June 16, making possible additional assistance for the women survivors of the devastating disaster long after Hurricane Katrina stopped making headlines.

“Most people generally assume that all people are equally vulnerable in times of disaster — after all, storms don’t discriminate,” said Avis Jones-DeWeever, director of Poverty, Education and Social Justice Programs at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. “But our research suggests that even here, in a nation of overwhelming wealth, women face many of the same vulnerabilities that their counterparts do around the world who often times find themselves in much less affluent surroundings.”

The study, which is based on a series of interviews held with diverse women from throughout the Gulf Coast, revealed that women faced and continue to confront special challenges to their health, safety and economic well-being in the lingering aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The study found that women were at an increased risk of exposure to sexual assault and domestic violence, and that they encounter greater economic hurdles when rebuilding their lives.

As a result of the study’s findings, Soroptimist has made it a priority to continue its Katrina relief efforts. In addition to the $34,500 contribution to fund the IWPR study, the organization recently donated an additional $40,000 to two agencies assisting women in the Gulf Coast. The SARA Center, a shelter for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault, received $20,000. The center will use the grant to assist with their client’s legal and transportation needs. Another $20,000 went to the New Orleans Women’s Health Clinic, a new health care clinic for low-income women that will use the grant to help pay for clinic staff. These grants, made possible by donations from Soroptimist clubs and members around the world, will bring the organization’s total donations for the 2005 Gulf Coast disaster to more than $100,000.

Soroptimist, a 501(c)3 organization, is a recipient of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organization’s “Seal of Excellence.” The Women’s Opportunity Awards Program, which provides cash grants for head-of-household women seeking to improve their economic situation through additional education and training, is Soroptimist’s major project. For information on becoming a member or applying for a grant, please call president Pat Pujol at 254-7605.