A LOCAL Soroptimist International member who has spent many years working to improve the lives of women and girls has been honoured with a prestigious award.
Jacky Burkett, a member of Soroptimist International Bayside, received the 2020 Florence Drury Award for Excellence as a Soroptimist.
Initiated by SI Gold Coast, the award honours Florence Drury, who turned 100 earlier this year and who has been an active Soroptimist since 1962.
It recognises members who work tirelessly behind the scenes and whose efforts often go unrecognised.
Ms Burkett was selected from a number of nominees from the nine clubs in south Queensland.
She has served in various positions within the Bayside club from president through to her current role as program convener.
She has also taken on roles as region delegate and program/United Nations liaison and most significantly, SI Australia secretary.
This year, she chaired the committee which organised the sold-out Women's Voices event, featuring chief health officer Jeannette Young.
Ms Burkett was tasked with ensuring the event met government standards for COVID safe practices.
Late last year, she liaised with members of the local Zonta Club of Wynnum and Redlands and Redland City Council to organise the Walk the Talk - Redlands Coast Unites against Gender-Based Violence event through the streets of Cleveland in December.
This year, she is also involved in preparing for the 16 Days of Activism to continue Soroptimist International's pledge to unite against family and domestic violence.
Ms Burkett has also served as the Soroptimist representative on the Diner en Rouge organising committee for a number of years. The event, co-ordinated by Redland City Council, raises funds to support Redlands residents affected by family and domestic violence.
Jacky has also recently taken on the role of president of the Maybanke Association Incorporated after having served as treasurer this year.
Maybanke supports the emotional, mental and physical wellbeing of women and their children who are escaping domestic and family violence.
SI Bayside president Sue Myers, who wrote the nomination, said Ms Burkett epitomised the Soroptimist Mission of transforming the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities.
"She is the glue that holds our club together," Ms Myers said.
